Senior Advisor Māori Policy and Operations - Wellington
Our purpose | To tātou kaupapa
We are the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), Aotearoa New Zealand’s independent environmental regulator. Our role is important: to help protect our country’s unique way of life by looking out for the health of its environment, its economy and its people.
Our kaupapa is about making the right decisions based on evidence, mātauranga, and science. At the EPA, we encourage big ideas and bold goals.
What we achieve today helps shape the future of New Zealand for generations to come.
Jump in the waka - make history with us.
About our group | Mō te roopu
The purpose of Kaupapa Kura Taiao group is to drive transformational change in the EPA, guided by Te Ao Māori and excellent regulatory practice aligned with He Whetū Mārama.
Kaupapa Kura Taiao is made up of two business units each with specialist expertise that work across the EPA:
· Māori Engagement and Operations champions He Whetū Mārama and the EPA’s Mātauranga Framework; and leads Māori engagement to enable effective Māori participation in the EPA's policies, processes and decisions.
· Regulatory Policy develops and improves EPA's environmental legislation, and regulatory direction, processes, and capability.
He Whetū Mārama is the framework that guides the EPA in the undertaking of its statutory and other obligations to Māori. It is based on our EPA waiata which recognises that the unique relationship of Māori to the environment informs EPA decision making. The group leads the development and implementation of organisational strategies and frameworks to give effect to our waiata and to influence matters in relation to the EPA’s day-to-day work under the various Environmental Acts EPA works with.
Through the development and implementation of strategic frameworks and plans, including He Whetū Mārama and the EPA’s Mātauranga Framework, the team provides advice on policy to improve the EPA’s environmental legislation and the incorporation and consideration of Māori perspectives in all functions of the EPA.
About the role | Mō te tūnga
This is a fixed term hybrid / on-site role for 6 months
The Senior Advisor Māori Policy and Operations reports to the Manager Māori Engagement within the Māori Policy and Operations team.
The Senior Advisor contributes to the team purpose by leading policy advice and analysis, and work programmes that enable te ao Māori perspectives to inform all functions of the EPA and to support the effective participation of Māori in EPA decision making. This includes:
· Proactively identify regulatory risks and recommend mitigations to the Manager Māori Engagement.
· Support the EPA’s strategic direction by determining, implementing and reviewing regulatory change opportunities that aligns with the EPA’s strategic ambition.
· Provide frank policy advice to ensure complex policy programmes on complicated issues with significant sensitivity and risk address matters from a Māori perspective.
· Deliver and present free and frank regulatory advice.
· Engage with other business teams and groups across the EPA to assist with the delivery of the EPA’s commitment to He Whetū Marama and our regulatory work programme.
· Provide leadership and strategic advice that enables the EPA to engage meaningfully with Māori at regional and national levels.
You will work closely with recognised Māori experts, including the members of Ngā Kaihautū Tikanga Taiao, and Te Herenga, a network of Māori resource and environmental managers, practitioners and experts. Working with these groups, we seek continual improvement of the value and effectiveness of Māori engagement in EPA decision making.
About you | Mōhou ake
We are looking for an individual with a range of skills and capabilities including:
A tertiary qualification and experience of working with Māori and/or matters of interest to Māori
Experience in analysing and considering information of importance to Māori in a regulatory or environmental management context (desirable, depending on level)
Experience communicating Māori matters between applicant communities and Māori
Intermediate to Advanced proficiency in te reo Māori (desirable)
Knowledge of Tikanga and Mātauranga Māori
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
What’s in it for you | Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou
There are a range of benefits our people value:
flexible working culture
three additional paid leave days between Christmas and New Years in addition to four weeks’ annual leave
$200 non-taxable payment to help you set up working at home
an annual paid EPA Environment Day to support the community with environmental initiatives
in-house Māori cultural capability building programme
learning opportunities, including the annual EPA Symposium
active and lively social club, and diverse groups and support networks
EPA awards recognising individual and team effort
Salary range
$103,473 - $155,209 per annum (midpoint $129,341).
This is the full salary range. Appointments will likely be made at or below the midpoint of this range, depending on skills and experience. An appointment at the midpoint assumes 100% competency in the role, with the full band covering a range of 80% - 120%.
How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono
Complete the online application form and submit your CV and a covering letter.
Please note: your covering letter is an important part of our assessment process. Please highlight how your experience relates to this role, and why you applied. Tell us about you, your values and/or whakapapa.
View the Position description
For more information, please contact recruit@epa.govt.nz or check out the careers section of our website www.epa.govt.nz/careers.
We are open to supporting inter agency secondments. If possible, please discuss the prospect of joining us with your current manager, before submitting your application.
Applications close | Rā Katinga
5pm, Wednesday 28 January 2025
We will review applications as they are submitted and may begin our selection process prior to the end of the application stage
