Researcher

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Tēnei tūranga – About the role

The Researcher contributes to the work of MBIE Intelligence (MI). The Researcher brings their knowledge, skills and perspective to work in partnership with their teams to provide accurate and timely country research and open source intelligence services to assist decision making across MBIE.

The Researcher contributes to the operations of Country Research & Open Source (CROS). CROS comprises three teams. The Protection team contributes to New Zealand’s international obligations to support our Refugee Status Determination process through the delivery of quality, reliable Country of Origin Information (COI) to staff at MBIE and the Immigration & Protection Tribunal (IPT). The Risk team provides open-source research responses to support decision makers across MBIE. Research responses are derived from; aggregator databases provided by MBIE for research, exclusive subscriptions to external content aggregators of published material, and other internet-based content. The Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) team provides actionable open source collections, support, and Intelligence Assessments through the fusion of information derived from MBIE’s databases, internet-based collections, and external agencies.

The role is primarily desktop research focused, supplying products on a wide range of topics and caseloads to a variety of customers. Other tasks may include provision of training on open source and social media search methods, current awareness services, delivery of country or topic seminars and other MBIE Intelligence projects. The Researcher is responsible for ensuring quality and consistency of information provided and adherence to specified research guidelines and standards, as developed by CROS in accordance with international best practice.

Researchers may contribute to the wide spectrum of the MBIE Intelligence work as needs and development opportunities arise.

A ‘one team’ view means that all members may contribute to the wide spectrum of MI’s work as needs and development opportunities require.

Ngā herenga – Requirements of the role

Personal specifications

  • Strongly developed information literacy and research skills.
  • Proven ability to quickly establish and build strong working relationships.› Clear and concise written and oral communication.
  • An interest in, and knowledge of, international current affairs and human rights issues.
  • Quickly assimilates new information and adapts to new areas of work.
  • Strong time management skills.
  • A commitment to quality, customer service, professionalism, and confidentiality
  • An undergraduate degree and one of the following:
    • post-graduate professional Library or Information Studies qualification,
    • a post-graduate qualification in social sciences, human rights or development studies,
    • equivalent experience in the fields of research, information management or intelligence.
  • The ability to gain and maintain a national security clearance as required.
  • Must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand.

The following skills and experience may be an advantage

  • Experience in a library, research institution or research agency is preferred.
  • Understanding of MBIE and where the team fits in delivering outcomes for the Ministry.
  • Experience in delivering current awareness services.
  • Presentation development and delivery experience.
  • Knowledge of another language would be an advantage.

Takohanga tuhinga o mua – Key accountabilities and deliverables

Information research expertise

  • Provides timely, relevant, accurate and balanced Country of Origin Information (COI) and/or open source research responses to customers.
  • Meets or exceeds customer expectations while demonstrating flexibility when coping with the fluctuations of demand-driven work and on-going tasks.
  • Maintains high level search, source evaluation and retrieval skills ensuring the most relevant, authoritative and current information is available to users. Demonstrates responsibility for updating personal awareness on relevant subjects.
  • Responsible for ensuring the quality and consistency of information provided to customers, including its adherence to specified guidelines and standards as developed by CROS in accordance with international best practice.
  • Displays efficient content management, ensuring that databases and Intranet pages are accurate and up-to-date, and consistent with agreed guidelines.
  • Identifies, assesses, and shares new sources of information, new technologies and new methodologies to improve the delivery of information and the team’s performance.
  • Regularly assists with the dissemination of regular news alerts and bulletins to a range of customer groups.

Collaboration and relationship management

  • Supports the team and MBIE Intelligence to achieve departmental objectives.
  • Develops a collaborative and supportive approach to work, including giving and taking of responsibility according to individual workloads and overall workflow.
  • Attends relevant seminars, events, and training, as required, including supporting team planning days and regular meetings.
  • Supports the team by assisting with the identification, development, and promotion of new initiatives.
  • May be required to provide online search training, including evaluation of information retrieved, and training on use of databases.

Wellbeing, health and 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 Researcher position reports to the Manager Country Research within the Digital Insights and Intelligence Branch. The branch sits within the Digital Data and Insights group.

More information about MBIE’s structure

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

MBIE value: Māia - Bold & brave, Pae Kahurangi - Build our future, Mahi Tahi - Better together, Pono Me Te Tika - Own it