Director Policy

Experienced policy leader and systems thinker with a broad background and a sharp intellect.
- A great people leader and collaborator, who drives continuous improvement and builds capability.
- Passionate about regulatory system stewardship and public policy.

Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai (DOC) protects and sustains nature. Our purpose is to ensure that Papatūānuku thrives.

**We do this by**:

- protecting land, species, ecosystems, and cultural heritage for conservation purposes
- managing threats and adverse impacts
- being a voice for conservation
- connecting people to nature.

We put nature and people at the heart of our activities and our kaupapa is anchored by te reo Māori and te ao Māori. Te Tiriti o Waitangi and our relationships with whānau, hapū and iwi are central to our work.
We have a new and ambitious strategy focused on improving conservation outcomes. The Policy group works across a range of policy, regulatory, and funding issues to do so.
We are seeking an exceptional people leader, with a strong policy background, to join our Strategy and Policy Leadership Team to collectively achieve better results for our precious and unique ecosystems, species, heritage and spaces. DOC's roles and responsibilities in relation to these outcomes are broad and deep: managing a third of New Zealand's land including many places of national significance and a vast network of assets, managing protected species and undertaking large-and small-scale at-place conservation interventions, regulating activities that impact wildlife, regulating coastal and marine activities, research and monitoring of biodiversity trends and interventions, and as a large provider and regulator of tourism and recreation services.

He angitūtanga | About the role
This is a tier 3 role, leading policy managers. The role is accountable for providing strategic leadership and group management of up to 5 policy teams. There are two Directors for the combined policy unit, each leading a set of teams and portfolio issues, and working together to maximise our policy impact, build a strong and positive culture, and develop our policy capability. We are committed to working across the wider Strategy and Policy group and the Department as one, and with wider Government agencies, to be greater than the sum of our parts.
Working in consultation with other government agencies in the Natural Resources sector, you will develop policy advice on conservation and biodiversity matters that are of significance for conservation outcomes and provide support for the Ministers of Conservation and Oceans and Fisheries, including improving conservation system settings and frameworks both domestic and international.
Our work programme encompasses climate change, conservation legislation and institutions, resource management policy, funding and fees frameworks and sustainability, marine protection and oceans policy, Treaty policy, international, tourism and economic development.
Reporting directly to the Deputy Director-General, Strategy and Policy, you will provide an inclusive leadership approach that develops capability through effective career development pathways and opportunities. This is a great opportunity for you to shape, lead and embed a fantastic culture within the policy unit.
He kōrero mōu | What we are looking for
To make an impact in this role you will have significant experience leading the development of policy in a complex central government environment. Experience in the natural resources sector would be an advantage, but is not essential - experience in regulatory policy, Treaty policy, funding, and Budget strategy, are equally relevant. You'll also bring strong leadership experience with the ability to connect, inspire and take people on the development journey with you, whilst effectively fostering team wellbeing, cohesion, and a strong delivery focus. You stand for and are known for robust analysis and high-quality advice and can work effectively across government.
Sophisticated stakeholder engagement and relationship skills are essential, combined with successful experience in building influential networks, both internal and external, including with Ministers and senior officials across Government. Strong cultural awareness, including an understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Te Ao Māori, and the ability to lead policy engagement with iwi/Māori, will round off your profile.
The Policy Leadership Team has collective accountability to bring DOC's strategy and priorities to life and to build an organisation where people can deliver their best, feel empowered to make a difference and see this as a place where they are proud to work.
All our leaders at DOC are expected to drive change in our journey to become an honourable Treaty partner, and to make sure DOC is developing strong systems and processes, effective governance and management and fiscal responsibility.

**As Director Policy you are expected to demonstra