Position Description

Transcription

1 Position Description Position Title Unit Manager, Scholarships (12 Months Fixed Term) Reports To Divisional Manager, Global Group Pacific and Development Group (PDG) Date Created/Updated December 2018 About the Ministry The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (the Ministry) acts in the world to make New Zealand safer and more prosperous. It does this by working to understand geopolitical changes across the world, advancing the Government s international priorities, and providing advice to the Government on its implications. By building connections and influence in other countries we act to promote and protect New Zealand s interests. We seek to deliver value to New Zealand and New Zealanders, through: improved prosperity for New Zealand and our region the stability, security and resilience of our country, our people and our region leadership by amplifying New Zealand s influence and standing in the world kaitiakitanga or stewardship, by delivering solutions to global challenges for the benefit of present and future generations. Our values are: Impact We achieve for New Zealand, everyday, everywhere Kotahitanga We draw strength from our diversity Courage We do the right thing Manaakitanga We honour and respect others About the Group Pacific and Development Group (PDG) leads an integrated approach to New Zealand s diplomatic and development engagement with Pacific countries and is responsible for the delivery of the New Zealand Aid Programme in the Pacific and globally. About the Division Global Development and Scholarships Division (GDS) consists of three units and delivers bilateral and regional programmes in selected regions outside the Pacific. We are responsible for strategy for development programmes, policy advice on New Zealand s development assistance and activity and relationship management in ASEAN and Timor Leste, Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean. We have responsibility for strategy,

2 policy and activity management around Conflict and Development issues. We also manage the Scholarships Programme (including in the Pacific), providing policy advice on scholarships. We are responsible for developing and implementing a collaborative approach (involving providers, Education New Zealand, and alumni) to promote development scholarship opportunities in country, in the region and in New Zealand. About the Position The Unit Manager Scholarships is responsible for providing strategic direction and leadership, and for managing a team of staff to ensure the achievement of the strategic priorities and high level outcomes in the Ministry s Strategic Framework. The Unit Manager Scholarships will lead a team responsible for managing the New Zealand Scholarships programme within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The programme provides scholarships to tertiary students from developing countries around the world to allow them to study and train in New Zealand and in the Pacific region. The programme provides assistance to more than 1500 scholars. Specifically, the position supports the achievement of the Scholarship Unit s strategic priorities, high level outcomes and work programme as outlined under the key accountabilities. The position will work closely with the Scholarships Project Unit which has been established to further develop the operating model for Scholarships. Unit Managers may be required to travel periodically including to developing countries; they should also be available for multi-year postings to developing countries where duties may include any aspects of the role relevant at a New Zealand Post. Key Accountabilities The following key accountabilities of this role assist in delivering the Ministry s purpose: Role Specific Manage the implementation of the New Zealand Scholarships programme Manage internal relationships with other divisions and posts and external relationships with tertiary institutions and other service providers Develop and implement a collaborative approach involving providers, ENZ and alumni, to promote development scholarship opportunities in the region and in New Zealand Responsible for the provision of operational policy advice on scholarships Contribute to the review and development of the future operating model for the scholarships programme, including management of any changes to the current model and team. Contribute to strategy development, policy analysis, reporting, briefing and stakeholder consultation on issues of relevance for the division Ensure the promotion and incorporation of cross cutting issues into development practices Complete rigorous review of advice to ensure quality and consistency Represent the Ministry in senior level development discussions, advocacy meetings or international fora as required

3 Lead or participate in New Zealand delegations for bilateral, regional and international meetings and negotiations People Leadership Recruit, retain and develop high performing staff to ensure the Ministry has the necessary expertise required by their team Manage staff so they are empowered to make decisions, while consulting on issues that need wider consideration Ensure effective flow of information occurs both vertically and horizontally, within the division and group, including post/s, and across the Ministry Build strong team spirit and level of engagement, acknowledging team contribution and achievement as appropriate Ensure the performance management framework is implemented for self and team members, actively managing both strong and poor performance Formally coach and mentor team members by fostering high standards in the quality of outputs and ensuring a culture of learning, sharing experiences and constructively challenging thinking Using the Learning and Career Development Framework, policies and programmes, identify and encourage team members to develop specialised skills, knowledge and experience in priority areas as required to deliver the Ministry s Strategic Framework Provide opportunities and support staff to lead delegations offshore and to represent the Ministry onshore Business and Programme Management Lead the unit s delivery of its planned and agreed activity stream to realise its strategic priorities and high level outcomes Manage the unit s programme of work to ensure that resources are appropriately distributed and managed within budget Forecast, manage and monitor the unit s budget and report against variances Lead the preparation and implementation of the unit s strategic and business planning processes Management and prioritisation of Crown expenditure in the areas of responsibility, consistent with the Ministry s financial management policies and procedures, and applicable delegations Ensure efficient and effective ways of working, ensuring good processes and systems are implemented within the team Relationship Management Develop and influence a clear map of relationships with decision-makers, policymakers and thinkers that advance the division s objectives Develop and maintain relationships with key internal and external stakeholders in order to advance the division s objectives Ensure that the unit s network is regularly reviewed and refreshed in light of developments in strategic priorities Build and maintain relationships within MFAT, promoting and fostering collaboration between teams in the Division, the Group and the wider Ministry Ministerial Servicing Ensure the unit s input to the Executive Services Division is given the necessary priority and meets the high standard required Provide ministerial and ministry support including preparation of briefs, submissions, talking points, speeches, and media releases accompanying Ministers on visits

4 Organisational Responsibilities Demonstrate and lead alignment with the organisation s values, goals, policies and procedures Provide support to other managers that continues to build collective responsibility for the performance of the Division as a whole Understand and apply the strategic context in which the Ministry operates, including priorities and perspectives of the Ministers, partner agencies and external stakeholders Actively input into and support the Ministry s strategic priorities and high-level outcomes framework Contribute to the preparation and reporting requirements of the Ministry s accountability documents Foster strong working relationships across the Ministry Contribute to Ministry-wide projects and emergency response situations Apply tikanga and Treaty of Waitangi principles, ensuring staff also have a good understanding and are able to apply the Ministry Māori dimension in a way that is relevant to the context of our business and underpinned by Ministry values Actively lead and promote Ministry health and safety policies and procedures All other duties as requested by the employer Knowledge Management Contribute to the continuous development of the Ministry s knowledge base by using the Ministry s internal systems, sharing information and data with relevant internal stakeholders, including contributing to/presenting at internal learning and development opportunities Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge & Skills Qualifications Relevant post-graduate degree or conjoint/double undergraduate degree. Experience Experience leading and delivering results in a complex environment Experience leading the development and negotiation of strategies Demonstrated leadership and management acumen, including: Strategic leadership skills an ability to bring out the best performance in others, through setting expectations, providing feedback, encouraging high performance, and addressing underperformance an ability to coach and develop people, to ensure that staff have the right skills to do their jobs well and progress in their careers the drive and resilience to lead proactively and deliver sustainable high performance the drive and ability to improve own capability demonstrating selfawareness and a self-improvement focus an ability to lead, implement and champion organisational change, positively influencing others thinking and behaviour Experience in the tertiary education sector Knowledge Understand at a strategic level, the key opportunities and risks for New Zealand in its Aid relationships

5 An in-depth knowledge and understanding of international development issues and trends Strong understanding of tikanga and Treaty of Waitangi principles Understanding of the Machinery of Government and the Government decision making process Skills Excellent written and verbal skills Proven ability to convey complex information logically and concisely Ability to research and analyse issues and demonstrate appropriate recommendations Proven ability to prioritise issues and activities and to delegate work effectively Strong project management skills, planning and organising skills and the ability to manage a work programme Sound interpersonal skills Proven ability to work successfully with a diverse range of people An ability to build, maintain and leverage relationships with key internal and external contacts An ability to think strategically and contribute to group decision making The ability to respond to and work effectively in pressure situation A high level of judgement and decision making skills Ability to work effectively with colleagues across the group and wider Strong negotiation skills Strong qualitative and quantitative analytical skills Relationships The position is required to build and maintain the following relationships: Internal (within MFAT) Divisional Manager Direct reports Group and Division staff Other MFAT staff, both onshore and offshore External (outside MFAT) Minister/s Other government departments and agencies International Aid Agencies Partner governments and their diplomatic missions Business, academia, regional and international organisations and institutions, Māori, Pacifica communities in NZ and the wider community Delegations The Unit Manager is responsible for the management of a team of 7 staff. Full delegations are set out in the Ministry's Instrument of Delegations. These include: Human Resources Recruitment of all divisional staff in adherence with ministry policy Financial As delegated by Divisional Manager

6 Mandatory Role Requirements You must be able to obtain and maintain an appropriate New Zealand Government Security clearance.