Principal Strategic Advisor to The Council Chair

**_A rare opportunity for a strategic and conceptual thinker with high levels of political acumen._**

**Kaunihera Taiao ki Waitaha** **About Environment Canterbury**

Waitaha - our Canterbury region - is like no other and we are proud to call it home. We are privileged to be working with Ngā Papatipu Rūnanga, stakeholders, and our wider community to protect our environment, including water, land, and air through regulation and planning. As a Regional Council we are responsible for flood protection, public transport, civil defence, and more.

Together we are taking action to shape a thriving and resilient Canterbury, now and for future generations. Toitū te marae o Tāne, toitū te marae o Tangaroa, toitū te tangata, If the land is well and the sea is well, the people will thrive.

**Kōrero mō te Tūranga** **| About the Role**

This role sits within our Office of the Chief Executive and Chair (OCEC) and plays a key role in providing high-quality strategic, and tactical advice, to ensure the Chair is well briefed and prepared for meetings, is aware of key issues and outcomes through the facilitation and preparation from briefing notes, discussion papers and advice.

Researching, key and future issues affecting and influencing the Council, including legislative, regional, and local government policy, environmental, economic, and social changes will be essential, along with engaging with Directors and their teams to ensure the perspectives of the Chair are reflected in outputs and activities, and supporting alignment across teams.

The ability to develop and maintain effective internal and external networks and information flows to the Chair on relevant issues, will be needed. Additionally, maintaining an awareness of stakeholder and organisational priorities, and urgent or emerging issues, particularly those associated with the governance services and councillor support functions will be managed effectively.

**Mōu** **About You**

You will be well organised in your approach, contributing with your exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

You will be confident influencing Senior Leaders, staff, and stakeholders whilst providing advice/engaging with Executive and/or Board at a Strategic Level.

You will contribute towards our effective, strong, and valued partnership with all Papatipu Rūnanga within the Canterbury rohe and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. To demonstrate our Council's commitment to recognise and provide for the kaitiaki responsibility Ngāi Tahu has for the natural environment. This will include sharing of knowledge and information, creating opportunities for increased participation in decision-making processes, effective engagement, and development of existing working relationships.

**Ngā hua o te Mahi i te Kaunihera Taiao ki Waitaha** | **Working at Environment Canterbury**

Our values underpin everything we do. We understand and embrace a diverse workforce; this diversity will enable us to better serve our people, our community, and our greatest taonga, the environment. We value everyone’s contribution, diverse thinking, and skills.

We are on a journey to become a treaty partner of excellence, including incorporating te ao Māori into our work. We offer supportive opportunities to develop capability in this area and encourage our people to use kaupapa Māori, mātauranga Māori and te reo Māori in our daily work. We welcome you with an open heart and mind, wherever you are on your personal te ao Māori journey.

For a confidential chat about this role, please contact Catherine McMillan on 027 251 7293

To find out more about us and the mahi we do - click here.

Me mahi tahi tātou - Together we can