Lead Adviser, Planning and Results, Protocol. Multilateral and Legal Affairs Group

Transcription

1 Lead Adviser, Planning and Results, Protocol Multilateral and Legal Affairs Group Want to help lift New Zealand s resilience and responsiveness in a major national emergency? Protocol Division is seeking an experienced and high performing leader to join their leadership team. Reporting to the Divisional Manager, the Lead Adviser will drive a number of critical business outcomes, specifically: Lead MFAT engagement in whole-of-government disaster and emergency preparedness work to ensure we get the international dimension of the response right; Build capacity, within Protocol and across the Ministry, to fulfil MFAT s core role in national emergencies and disasters; Augment the Division s capability to manage diplomatic immunity cases to meet high government and public expectations in fast moving and challenging circumstances; Provide thought leadership, and high level representation and advocacy, across the Protocol function. Applicants should be able to demonstrate strong analytical and intellectual policy leadership, thrive in complexity, combine an eye to detail with the ability to work under pressure, have sound judgment, strong planning and organising skills to deliver timely results, and excellent people skills, particularly for relationship management and advocacy. Applicants will have a good understanding of government processes, be effective in working collaboratively within and across domestic agencies, have a strong grasp of the intersection between foreign and domestic policy, and be comfortable operating in international and cross-cultural environments. Previous experience with disaster and emergency preparedness, and/or diplomatic immunity issues would be an advantage, as would proficiency in a foreign language or Te Reo Māori. They will also have a relevant tertiary qualification. MFAT In Confidence Page 1 of 7

2 Position Description Position Title Unit Division Group Location Reports to Last Review Date About the Ministry Lead Adviser (fixed term, 18 months) Protocol Protocol Multilateral and Legal Affairs Group (MLG) Wellington Divisional Manager September 2018 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade s purpose is to act in the world to make New Zealanders safer and more prosperous. Our work: Kaitiakitanga: Generations of New Zealanders benefit from sustainable solutions to global and regional challenges; Prosperity: New Zealanders have better job opportunities and incomes from trade, investment and other international connections; Security: New Zealanders are able to live, do business, travel and communicate more safely at home and offshore; Influence: New Zealanders have confidence their country can influence others on issues that matter for them now and in the future. Our values are manaakitanga, courage, impact and kotahitanga. About the Group MLG has primary responsibility for the Ministry s multilateral, consular, legal and protocol work. The group acts principally through international rule making and standard setting forums, particularly in the UN whose charter remains the cornerstone of the post WW2 political framework. The group manages New Zealand s UN relationships, and supports New Zealand s two-year UN Security Council term. MLG works to secure New Zealand s international environment interests, including in relation to climate change, oceans and Antarctica. MLG provides front-line consular services to New Zealanders offshore. The group manages diplomatic status and immunity, services the diplomatic corps accredited to New Zealand, and delivers major visits and events. MLG provides legal advice in MFAT In Confidence Page 2 of 7

3 support of the Ministry s international policy and domestic legal and corporate functions. About the Position Relationships Key accountabilities MLG comprises the following divisions: Consular Corporate Legal Environment Group support Legal Protocol United Nations, Human Rights & Commonwealth Ambassadors for Climate Change and for Disarmament are also located in MLG The Lead Adviser, Protocol, provides senior capability in the Ministry to support key areas of work including emergency preparedness and response, diplomatic immunity issues, and other high risk issues requiring a foreign policy response. The Lead Adviser will form part of the divisional management team, and will also have a role in growing capability within the Protocol team. The position supports the achievement of the Division s strategic priorities and high level outcomes as outlined under the key accountabilities. Generally, MFAT Lead Advisers are responsible for providing strong analytical and intellectual policy leadership and output in support of the government s objectives for New Zealand s international relations. They demonstrate leadership by working through complex and challenging legal and policy issues and coaching and mentoring staff to enhance their skills. The position is required to build and maintain the following relationships: Internal (within MFAT) Divisional Manager Unit Managers Division staff Organisational Resilience team, Corporate Legal Unit, regional divisions, CEO s office Other MFAT staff, both onshore and offshore External (outside MFAT) Ministers and Ministers offices Other government departments and agencies, particularly DPMC and the Cabinet Office, and Government House Diplomatic missions Business, academia, regional and international organisations and institutions, Māori and the wider community The following key accountabilities of this role assist in delivering the Ministry s vision and mission. Position specific The Lead Adviser, Protocol, will: Build preparedness, in Protocol Division and across the Ministry, MFAT In Confidence Page 3 of 7

4 to fulfil MFAT s core role in domestic emergencies, particularly natural disasters; Lead MFAT engagement in whole-of-government disaster and emergency preparedness work to strengthen international dimensions of the response (including coordination of international assistance to New Zealand, and support to foreign missions providing consular assistance to their nationals); Augment the capability of Protocol Division to manage serious foreign and New Zealand diplomatic immunity cases to the expected high standard and in accordance with New Zealand policy and procedures, and support associated policy advice and development; Build the Ministry s capacity to respond to other major developments requiring a response from the protocol function, including those with a consititutional dimension; Support greater responsiveness of the Protocol function to Ministerial servicing requirements. Leadership Contribute to the unit s delivery of its planned and agreed activity stream to realise its strategic priorities and high level outcomes Contribute to planning and organisation of the unit s work programme to ensure effective prioritisation Coach and mentor others within the division and beyond, providing constructive feedback, fostering high standards in the quality of outputs and ensuring a culture of learning, sharing of experiences and constructively challenging thinking as required Demonstrate the organisation s values, goals, policies and procedures in all aspects of work. Relationship Management Develop relationships with senior members of the Wellington diplomatic corps as part of the Division s wider role in maintaining good channels of communication with the corps Contribute to the Division s elationships with the diplomatic corps Use the unit s relationships to influence decision-makers, policymakers and thinkers to advance the division s objectives Contribute to the review and refresh of the unit s network in light of developments in strategic priorities Develop and maintain relationships with key internal and external stakeholders in order to advance the division s objectives. Policy Development and Delivery Develop and deliver robust policy advice through leading or working on complex multi-sector issues with significant sensitivity and risk; identify and recommend processes for resolving problems Provide analytical and policy leadership as appropriate within the unit on projects which advance the unit s objectives MFAT In Confidence Page 4 of 7

5 Manage a varied and substantive policy work programme, demonstrating expertise in prioritisation in accordance with the Ministry s strategic priorities Complete rigorous peer review of advice to ensure quality and consistency Encourage an environment where existing assumptions and approaches are regularly tested and constructively challenged Advocate New Zealand interests and positions to other governments and New Zealand government agencies and report on outcomes Represent the Ministry in policy discussions, advocacy meetings, and domestic outreach, as required Take part in or lead New Zealand delegations for bilateral, regional and international meetings and negotiations. Ministerial Servicing Ensure input to Ministers and the Executive Services Division is given the necessary priority and meets the high standard required. Visits and Events Escort high level visitors, and ensure accurate recording, reporting and follow-up of visits and meetings. Represent the Ministry and Government at events as appropriate. Organisational Responsibilities Understand the Ministry s strategic framework and how this role contributes to the framework Understand and apply the strategic context in which the Ministry operates, including priorities and perspectives of Ministers, partner agencies and external stakeholders Contribute to the preparation and reporting requirements of the Ministry s accountability documents Understand tikanga and Treaty of Waitangi principles and have sufficient appreciation of Te Reo Māori to be able to apply the Ministry Māori dimension, underpinned by Ministry values, in a way that is relevant to the context of our business Using the Ministry s Capability and Leadership Frameworks, identify and participate in opportunities for learning and development, including through regular coaching and mentoring Identify and pursue opportunities to build specialised skills, knowledge and experience aligned with the Ministry s Strategic Framework Contribute to Ministry-wide projects and emergency response situations All other duties as requested by the employer Knowledge Management Contribute to the continuous development of the Ministry s MFAT In Confidence Page 5 of 7

6 knowledge base by using the Ministry s internal systems, sharing information and data with relevant internal stakeholders Health and Safety The Ministry is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all staff, including contractors and other workers, both on and offshore. You are responsible for: taking reasonable care of your own and other s health and safety and being mindful of the effect of your actions (or lack of action) on the health and safety of others complying with reasonable Ministry instructions to ensure the Ministry is able to comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 cooperating with health and safety policies and procedures identifying and reporting hazards, injuries, illness and incidents (including near misses) that arise from your work or in the workplace identifying and eliminating or mitigating health and safety risks so far as reasonably practicable and consulting with others in doing so raising health and safety matters with your manager or health and safety representative (or contact as appropriate) ensuring that all health and safety incidents, injuries, near misses are immediately reported through the HR Kiosk ensuring that significant hazards and risks or critical incidents are drawn to the immediate attention of your Manager. Qualifications, skills, knowledge and experience You must have the following qualifications, skills and experience: Relevant post graduate degree or conjoint/double undergraduate degree Considerable experience in leading the development of complex and innovative policy and delivery solutions and the ability to apply this to the Protocol Division s programme of work Previous experience with disaster and emergency preparedness, and/or diplomatic immunity, would be an advantage. Experience and skills in high-level offshore representation and negotiations Demonstrated ability to advocate and influence A high level of leadership acumen. This includes: Demonstrating the drive and ability to improve own capability. Includes self-awareness and self-improvement focus Showing the drive and resilience to contribute proactively and deliver sustainable high performance The ability to coach and develop people, to ensure that staff have the right skills to do their jobs well and progress in their careers Ability to think strategically and identify themes and issues emerging from a range of competing information MFAT In Confidence Page 6 of 7

7 Experience providing intellectual and professional leadership to a team of highly skilled professionals Extensive experience in developing and providing strategic and technical advice Track record of creating practical solutions to complex and ambiguous problems Strong written and verbal skills Ability to build, maintain and leverage relationships with key internal and external contacts Strong planning and organising skills A good understanding of the machinery of government and the government decision-making process. Good understanding of tikanga and Treaty of Waitangi principles Competent in Microsoft Office suite of products Strong qualitative and quantitative analytical skills Ability to work effectively with colleagues within the division Good judgment and decision-making skills. Additional Comments You must also: Hold New Zealand citizenship Be able to obtain and maintain an appropriate New Zealand Government security clearance. MFAT In Confidence Page 7 of 7