Principal Advisor, Determinations
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Tēnei tūranga – About the role
The primary focus of the Determinations team is to support the chief executive to exercise their powers to make determinations under the Building Act. Determinations are important aspects of the Building Act as they provide clarity of the operation of our performance based regulatory regime as well as providing a mechanism for participants in the sector to resolve disputes.
Key functions and activities required to support the determinations function include:
- Determining the processes by which determinations are managed, consistent with statutory requirements
- Making decisions about whether to accept or refuse a determination
- Case management of determinations process including notification of and communication with parties
- Reviewing applications and seeking clarification from parties where required
- Seeking the input of technical experts where required
- Considering applications & evidence gathered
- Drafting determinations decisions
- Holding hearings if required
- Issuing determinations
- Maintaining online information about the determinations process and keeping records of past determinations
The Principal Advisor, Determinations is a leadership position in the Determinations team. They proactively provides high quality and timely thought leadership and decision making as well as strategic, tactical and specialist technical advice to the Manager and team.
The Principal Advisor Determinations is responsible for issuing decisions on determinations under delegated authority.
They will play a leadership role in the team and work to ensure the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the determinations function, maintain a high standard of quality and decision making in determinations, and ensure that any systemic issues identified in determinations are communicated to key stakeholders in the building regulatory system.
Ngā herenga – Requirements of the role
Personal specifications
- Ability to understand, use and explain the building regulatory framework, in particular relating to the handling of determinations under the Building Act
- Sound decision making skills
- Excellent interpersonal and relationship management skills
- Excellent project management skills
- Ability to supervise the work of others and develop quality assurance processes
- Acquainted with legal processes and systems
- Ability to quickly assimilate new information and systematically analyse it to identify issues and trends
- Can-do attitude, in particular an ability to solve problems and overcome obstacles
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Understanding of MBIE and where the team fits in delivering outcomes for the Ministry
Qualifications
- Ideally a tertiary qualification in a building related area or law or commerce
Organisational commitment and public service
Role models the standards of Integrity and Conduct for the State Services Contributes to the development of, and helps promote and builds commitment to MBIE’s vision, mission, values and services, by
- Willingly undertaking any duty required within the context of the position
- Managing own personal health and safety, and takes appropriate action to deal with workplace hazards, accidents and incidents
- Understanding Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) principles and the application of these to MBIE
- Complying with all legislative requirements and good employer obligations
Takohanga tuhinga o mua – Key accountabilities and deliverables
Critical areas of success
Delivery of quality solutions that contribute to the goals of the ministry
The Principal Advisor, Determinations will be required to deliver results in the following areas:
- Issues decisions on determinations under delegated authority, ensuring that decisions are based on quality evidence and are made using sound judgement.
- Leading the development of the operational framework and processes for the handling of determinations in compliance with Building Act requirements
- Analysing and identifying systemic issues in determinations and communicating these to other teams in Building System Performance and Te Whakatairanga Service Delivery
- Providing quality assurance in respect of determinations to uphold a high standard of quality
- Writing determinations decisions in a clear and succinct manner so they are easily read and understood by parties and others that use these documents as educational material
- Providing leadership of Determinations Team activities through provision of insights and perspectives on particular determination cases and technical leadership and support to other members of the team.
Stakeholder and relationship management
- Develops and maintains cooperative, partnering relationships with key stakeholders, both internal and external, using highly developed influencing, negotiation and collaboration skills and experience
- Represents MBIE, the Building System Delivery & Assurance team and the building regulatory system more broadly at senior levels across government
- Effectively manages conflict by focussing on meeting the needs of the regulatory system, regulated entities and customers and identifying opportunities for resolution
- Engage with senior managers and Ministers in a professional manner which provides a strong level of confidence
Coaching and mentoring
Contributes to a high- performing team that is capable of delivering innovative advice, products and services to support MBIE’s strategic direction
- Provides intellectual support and coaches others on relationship management, monitoring, and knowledge of institutional practice.
- Provides constructive, timely and specific feedback to others and give credit for tasks well done.
- Supports, without taking away ownership of, work output or ideas from managers and team members.
- Seeks and explore opportunities to develop the capability of others in the team.
Wellbeing, health & safety
- Displays commitment through actively supporting all safety and wellbeing initiatives.
- Ensures own and others safety at all times.
- Complies with relevant safety and wellbeing policies, procedures, safe systems of work and event reporting.
- Reports all incidents/accidents, including near misses in a timely fashion.
- Is involved in health and safety through participation and consultation.
Tō tūranga i roto i te Manatū – Your place in the Ministry
The Principal Advisor Determinations position reports into the Manager, Determinations within the Building and Tenancy branch. The branch sits within the Te Whakatairanga Service Delivery group.
To mātou aronga – What we do for Aotearoa New Zealand
Hīkina Whakatutuki is the te reo Māori name for the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Hīkina means to uplift. Whakatutuki means to move forward, to make successful. Our name speaks to our purpose, Grow Aotearoa New Zealand for All.
To Grow Aotearoa New Zealand for All, we put people at the heart of our mahi. Based on the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi / The Treaty of Waitangi, we are committed to upholding authentic partnerships with Māori.
As agile public service leaders, we use our breadth and experience to navigate the ever-changing world. We are service providers, policy makers, investors and regulators. We engage with diverse communities, businesses and regions. Our work touches on the daily lives of New Zealanders. We grow opportunities (Puāwai), guard and protect (Kaihāpai) and innovate and navigate towards a better future (Auaha).
Ngā matatau – Our competencies
Cultivates innovation We create new and better ways for the organisation to be successful by challenging the status quo generating new and creative ideas and translating them into workable solutions.
Nimble learning We are curious and actively learn through experimentation when tackling new problems by learning as we go when facing new situations and challenges.
Customer focus We build strong customer relationships and deliver customer-centric solutions by listening and gaining insights into the needs of the communities we serve and actively seeking and responding to feedback.
Decision quality We make quality and timely decisions that shape the future for our communities and keep the organisation moving forward by relying on an appropriate mix of analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgement to make valid and reliable decisions.
Action oriented We step up, taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with purpose, urgency and discipline by taking responsibility, ownership and action on challenges, and being accountable for the results.
Collaborates We connect, working together to build partnerships with our communities, working collaboratively to meet shared objectives by gaining trust and support of others; actively seeking the views, experiences, and opinions of others and by working co-operatively with others across MBIE, the public sector and external stakeholder groups.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi
As an agency of the public service, MBIE has a responsibility to contribute to the Crown meeting its obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Te Tiriti). Meeting our commitment to Te Tiriti will contribute towards us realising the overall aims of Te Ara Amiorangi – Our Path, Our Direction, and achieve the outcome of Growing New Zealand for All. The principles of Te Tiriti - including partnership, good faith, and active protection – are at the core of our work. MBIE is committed to delivering on our obligations as a Treaty partner with authenticity and integrity and to enable Māori interests. We are committed to ensuring that MBIE is well placed to meet our obligations under the Public Service Act 2020 (Te Ao Tūmatanui) to support the Crown in strengthening the Māori/Crown Relationship under the Treaty and to build MBIE’s capability, capacity and cultural intelligence to deliver this.
Mahi i roto i te Ratonga Tūmatanui – Working in the public service
Ka mahitahi mātou o te ratonga tūmatanui kia hei painga mō ngā tāngata o Aotearoa i āianei, ā, hei ngā rā ki tua hoki. He kawenga tino whaitake tā mātou hei tautoko i te Karauna i runga i āna hononga ki a ngāi Māori i raro i te Tiriti o Waitangi. Ka tautoko mātou i te kāwanatanga manapori. Ka whakakotahingia mātou e te wairua whakarato ki ō mātou hapori, ā, e arahina ana mātou e ngā mātāpono me ngā tikanga matua o te ratonga tūmatanui i roto i ā mātou mahi.
In the public service we work collectively to make a meaningful difference for New Zealanders now and in the future. We have an important role in supporting the Crown in its relationships with Māori under the Treaty of Waitangi. We support democratic government. We are unified by a spirit of service to our communities and guided by the core principles and values of the public service in our work.
What does it mean to work in Aotearoa New Zealand’s Public Service?(external link) — Te Kawa Mataaho The Public Service Commission
