Principal Advisor, Governance Aporei, Mana

Aporei | Principal Advisor
Mana Whakahaere | Governance
Te Puni Kōkiri | Ministry of Māori Development

The Critical Projects and Governance Puni manages projects of critical importance to Ministers and the Secretary for Māori Development and focusses on quality decision making and connections between decision makers.

**Puni priorities are**:

- initiating and managing projects of critical importance to Ministers and the Secretary for Māori Development and, when appropriate, moving such projects from 'critical' to 'business-as-usual' status in another Puni, Directorate, and/or team;
- instilling a project management methodology within the department, and modelling best project management behaviour as a centre of excellence on which the rest of the department draws;
- improved co-ordination and communication between Ministers, the Secretary for Māori Development, and the Executive Leadership Team; and
- increased focus on the Ministry's decision-making arrangements.

The Governance team provides oversight and coordination of all governance activity across Te Puni Kōkiri, supporting quality decision making and connection between decision makers.

Te Whiwhinga Mahi | The opportunity

We are seeking a Principal Advisor who is eager to develop their leadership capability and experience, while also supporting the performance of their team and the Ministry.

This position will see you working with the Senior Leadership Team and staff from across the organisation. This is a perfect opportunity for someone with an enthusiasm for action, who consistently strives to get things done and will enjoy the opportunities associated with working in a small, friendly team, in a fast-paced environment that has both a current and future focus.

The Principal Advisor, Governance reports to the Kaiwhakahaere te Mana Whakahaere - Manager, Governance. This role supports the Manager and the Puni to ensure best practice in organisational governance activity, and the smooth running of the Executive Leadership Team engagements, and governance board meetings. This role will focus on:

- Providing thought leadership and strategic analysis of work required by the Manager.
- Building and maintaining strong relationships with the chairpersons of the governance boards and Te Puni Kōkiri kaimahi.
- Providing strategic analysis and oversight of key workstreams across the governance boards and identifying emerging risks or issues to be raised with the Manager and Chairpersons of the governance boards.
- Leading the development and delivery of the Governance work programme and priority workstreams.
- Leading capability building of Te Puni Kōkiri staff in best practice governance activity.
- Providing quality advice and support to kaimahi on governance engagement and activity.
- Providing secretariat support for the governance board and Executive Leadership Team meetings.

Ko wai koe | About you
- Experience with business planning processes and knowledge of Governance and accountability processes.
- Strong experience in managing key relationships at a senior level both internally and externally and be able to communicate complex ideas effectively.
- Proven ability to thrive in a complex and fast-paced environment, and ability to bring others on the journey.
- Clarity of writing and attention to detail will be central to delivering high quality products.
- Understanding of the relevance of the Treaty of Waitangi to the work being undertaken.
- A high level of personal integrity and courage.

**Desirable**:

- Comfort in operating in a tikanga / kaupapa Māori environment, a degree of fluency in Te Reo Māori is desirable.

Most importantly you will demonstrate excellent judgement and direction in an environment that is often ambiguous and complex.

Ngā uara ka whiwhi koe ki Te Puni Kōkiri | Working at Te Puni Kōkiri

Te Puni Kōkiri is the Government's principal policy advisor on Māori wellbeing and development. To do this, we must exert leadership and influence on the public sector system to enable and support the Government to deliver positive wellbeing outcomes for Māori.

Our vision of 'Whānau Taurikura' - 'Thriving Whānau' enables whānau, hapū and iwi to succeed and underpins everything that we do. We draw strength from our past to build an Aotearoa New Zealand where whānau can all stand, thrive, and belong.

Our people are at the heart of achieving this vision and it is our people who contribute to supporting Māori collective success by creating and maintaining relationships with iwi, hap
- and whānau Māori, and Government at both a local and national level.

We are guided by our values of excellence, valuing people and relationships, working collectively and being creative and innovative. We invest in our people, and you will be encouraged to develop and contribute to your fullest potential. We believe strongly in work/life balance and understand that your whānau is important. We are also committed to your wellbeing, a