Principal Advisor, Strategic Communications

Join an organisation that helps guide climate action in Aotearoa
- Provide communications and engagement leadership to support a busy work programme
- Inclusive and collaborative culture

He kōrero mō mātou | About us
He Pou a Rangi Climate Change Commission is an independent Crown entity that drives climate action in Aotearoa New Zealand. We provide independent, impartial advice to the Government on both mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change, and we monitor and review the Government's progress towards its emissions reduction and adaptation goals.
Since establishing in December 2019, we have released advice on the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme, agricultural emissions pricing, the foundational Ināia tonu nei: a low emissions future for Aotearoa, which included advice on the country's first three emissions budgets and the first emissions reduction plan.
**For more information our work programmes**: Our upcoming work » Climate Change Commission (climatecommission.govt.nz)
We recognise the importance of te ao Māori. We uphold the treaty partnership by ensuring our work reflects Māori views and Te Tiriti o Waitangi The Treaty of Waitangi.

Te Tūranga | The role
The Principal Advisor, Strategic Communications provides leadership and expertise to support the organisation to successfully deliver on its strategic objectives and legislative requirements.
You will lead on the Commissions media relationships, and working closely with the Chief Executive and Manager, Strategic Engagement and Information Management you will be instrumental in connecting people with the Commission's work. A key part of this will be leading on crafting a simple and compelling story about what we do and why it matters.
In this role you will be responsible for helping the Manager, Strategic Engagement and Information Management to build and enhance the overall capability of team, and you will be a coach and mentor other communications and engagement staff.

Ngā herenga | The role will involve
- Providing expert judgement and advice to the Commission
- Providing intellectual leadership by bringing new ideas and knowledge to the table and leading strategic thinking and conversations in area of expertise.
- Ensuring the Commission's voice is consistent across all channels and operating as the system owner for identified channels relevant to your role.
- Communicating advice in a way that recognises the needs and concerns of the audience and being able to communicate complex information in a way that can be easily understood.
- Lead in building a culture of collaboration and inclusiveness by proactively providing mentorship to others in the wider team.
- Demonstrating that cultural responsiveness is valued, understood, and applied within the Commission by Embedding te ao Māori (te reo Māori, tikanga, kawa, Te Tiriti o Waitangi) into the way we do things here.

He kōrero mōu | About you
This is a job for an experienced practitioner or leader in their field, across government, private or non-government sectors nationally and/or internationally.
To be considered, you will have proven experience in a Principal level role, or substantial senior level experience, and a tertiary qualification and or equivalent work experience.

**In addition, you will have**:

- Solid understanding of the media landscape in New Zealand, and established media networks.
- Proven ability to build and maintain relationship with a range of stakeholders.
- Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills.
- Demonstrated high levels of integrity.
- Knowledge of the machinery of government, the contemporary political environment and government policies, and the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi /Treaty of Waitangi and Te Ao Māori.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Highly effective planning and organisational skills, including time management and prioritising work in a complex work environment.

This role is Wellington based.

Ngā ritenga | What we offer
- The chance to make a difference to Aotearoa New Zealand
- An office with harbour views in the centre of Wellington
- Flexible working
- Five weeks annual leave
- Annual wellbeing allowance

He pēhea tō tono mai | How to apply
We embrace diversity and inclusion and are committed to equality and equity.
To be considered for this role you must be able to live and work in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Te rā kati | Application close date