Principal Business Advisor
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Tēnei tūranga – About the role
The Principal Business Advisor leads a small business support team to effectively and efficiently support the operational running of the branch and INZ’s strategic direction. The role coordinates cross-branch activity and is accountable for the branch financial and business planning, governance, reporting, business continuity and assurance activities. In addition, the Principal Business Advisor is responsible for all corporate and parliamentary accountability activities for the branch and runs key strategic projects as required.
The Principal Business Advisor also provides direct advisory support to the General Manager (or equivalent position) and branch leadership team with high quality specialist, strategic and operational advice to support the branch’s strategic direction and the day-to-day running of the branch.
Ngā herenga – Requirements of the role
Personal specifications
- A proven track record in business planning and analysis, and/or financial management and analysis leadership role.
- Ability to think strategically and creatively to form an overview and solve problems.
- Highly developed analytical & financial skills and the ability to extract information, identify patterns and trends, and integrate information from multiple sources.
- Can comfortably develop and maintain effective working relationships with Ministers, other officials and external stakeholders.
- Proven experience in implementing quality processes and strategies designed to improve productivity and deliver excellent service to customers.
- Proven experience working with senior leadership teams and providing high level strategic and operational advice.
- The ability to deliver successful outcomes in a demanding environment.
- The ability to influence, lead and facilitate others to achieve outcomes.
- In-depth knowledge of processes at the centre of government as well as wider governmental processes and protocols.
- An ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing with a wide range of people at all levels, both internal and external to MBIE.
- Knowledge of risk management and project management concepts and techniques.
- The ability to gain and maintain a national security clearance as required.
- Must be a NZ citizen or hold a residence class visa.
- Credit check required.
Takohanga tuhinga o mua – Key accountabilities and deliverables
Responsibilities of this position are expected to change over time as the Ministry responds to changing needs. The incumbent will need the flexibility to adapt and develop as the environment evolves.
Business support
- Leads the business planning process for the branch in conjunction with the INZ Strategy and Planning team informed by the organisational priorities and actions set by the Operations, Tasking and Improvement branch, ensuring synergies and inter-dependencies are managed.
- Identifies strategic issues emerging from external and internal influences, projects and identified opportunities and integrate these into planning.
- Provides insight into the development of strategic planning for Immigration New Zealand, working collaboratively with other branches.
- Works with the Performance and Reporting team to develop and implement appropriate regular reporting for branch leadership and the Immigration Leadership Team to enable informed business decisions and effective and efficient delivery of branch goals.
- Works with the INZ Finance team to develop and implement appropriate financial reporting and manages budgeting process for branch.
- Provides timely advice to the General Manager on key metrics and financial results that may reflect or impact branch performance against key outputs and outcomes.
- Uses evidence of progress made against targets to inform future direction to support the planning process.
- Coordinates branch response for cross-INZ or cross-MBIE activity e.g. Annual Report.
- Delivers corporate and parliamentary accountability activities for the branch e.g. OIAs and WPQS.
- Leads projects as required.
- Builds, monitors and maintains fit for purpose Ministry capability (people and structures) needed to achieve desired goals and objectives, and achieve expected efficiency benefits and ongoing improvements in cost effectiveness.
- Due to the varying level of advisory resource in each Business Support team in some branches the Manager to a larger or lesser extent will be required to carry out the higher level advisory functions of the team themselves.
Advice and leadership
- Delivers business and advisory services to the General Manager, and wider leadership team, in order to strengthen the overall capability of branch and ensure the quality and consistency of service provision and practices across the business.
- Delivers support to the General Manager on policy matters, assisting in Ministerial briefings, aide memoires as required.
- Oversees and provides QA of high-profile Official Information Act requests and media responses.
- Provides strategic advice on Immigration and MBIE-wide issues, and positioning the branch with key external stakeholders.
- Drives initiatives to support the execution of Striking the Balance or other strategic or organisational change initiatives and a continuous improvement focus across the business.
- Represents the branch and leads engagement with key internal and external stakeholders as required.
- Represents the branch and INZ on internal or external cross-agency reference/working groups as required.
- Leads specific projects as required.
General management
- Apply sound general management practices so that the Branch operates effectively and efficiently, and delivers agreed outputs to support achievement of agreed outcomes.
- Develops strategies, work programmes and performance targets, with supporting measurement, monitoring and reporting mechanisms.
- Monitors and adjusts work programmes through the agreed processes to enable adaptation to changing circumstances.
- Regularly monitors and reports on progress towards achievement of plans and strategies.
- Manages expenditure and resources in line with approved guidelines, budget, deadlines and reporting requirements, with a focus on driving cost effectiveness.
- Effectively and consistently identifies and manages risk.
Relationship management
- Manage constructive working relationships with work colleagues and external stakeholders to enhance understanding and cooperation needed to achieve desired results.
- Participates as an active team member and contributes knowledge and expertise needed to achieve desired outcomes.
- Develops effective working relationships with other managers and staff in order to transfer knowledge and learning to the wider organisation.
- Builds strategic alliances with key government and non-government representatives to ensure MBIE’s views are influential in their decision-making.
- Builds and maintains effective relationships and partnerships with national and international organisations to identify and share best practice information and to promote the Ministry.
- Tests the effectiveness of stakeholder relationships using a range of appropriate measures and processes (including stakeholder feedback).
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 Business Advisor position reports into a General Manager, or equivalent position, within the Immigration New Zealand group.
Matatautanga – Competencies (Leadership Success Profile)
The Leadership Success Profile (LSP) is a leadership capability framework, developed by the New Zealand public sector for the New Zealand public sector. It creates a common language for leadership and establishes what great leadership looks like. You can look at the twelve underpinning capabilities and four leadership characters here: Leadership Success Profile | Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission(external link)
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).
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
