Minerals Advisor
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Tēnei tūranga – About the role
The Minerals team regulates the responsible development of the Crown’s mineral estate across a range of commodities including gold, silver, coal, heavy mineral sands and aggregates. Minerals Advisors bring technical and/or regulatory strengths to the Minerals Team, to deliver robust recommendations relating to permitting and compliance decisions and general permit management that balance the natural tension between the efficient application of legislation and regulation with commercial outcomes, and public accountability.
The position will play a key role in the team that is responsible for assessing both regulatory compliance and the commercial viability of mineral deposits, in line with the strategic direction of the Energy and Resource Markets (ERM) branch and wider Ministry (MBIE).
Responsibilities of this position are expected to change over time as MBIE responds to changing needs. The incumbent will need the flexibility to adapt and develop as the environment evolves.
Ngā herenga – Requirements of the role
Personal specifications
- Experience in a regulatory role, in the mineral resource sector, or in providing services to the mineral resource sector is desirable.
- Knowledge of coal and mineral industry issues is desirable but not essential.
- Understanding of the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the role of the Crown in partnering with Māori.
- Excellent written and oral presentation skills, effective business writing skills a key competency.
- Ability to integrate and balance statutory and specialist technical information and present them with simplicity and clarity that can be understood by a range of audiences.
- Ability to think through ambiguous and conflicting requirements and solve problems pragmatically, effectively, and promptly.
- Ability to multi-task, work with flexibility and to adapt quickly to change.
- Confidence and ability to negotiate directly with exploration and mining companies.
- Desire to increase industry understanding of, and compliance with, the regulatory aspects of exploration and mining.
- Desire to play a key role in the quality of support provided to the New Zealand mineral resource sector.
- Desire to play a key role in a self-motivated, high-performing, professionally respected, multi-disciplinary technical team.
Qualifications
- Tertiary qualification in a relevant technical discipline – geology, geophysics, earth science etc. Candidates with a different tertiary discipline but with extensive industry experience or commercial regulation experience will also be considered.
- Must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand.
Takohanga tuhinga o mua – Key accountabilities and deliverables
Produce robust permitting recommendations in a timely manner
- Prospecting, exploration, and mining permit applications (new, subsequent permit and permit change applications) are efficiently processed in the context of the Crown Minerals Act 1991, and other related legislation.
- Applicants (individuals and company representatives of coal and/or minerals companies) have been kept informed of information required and the progress of their applications throughout the assessment process.
- There is quality liaison with other government departments and agencies, as well as other teams within the Ministry throughout the assessment of applications.
- Robust, well-written recommendations for low-risk decisions that balance the natural tension between the efficient application of legislation and regulation, commercial outcomes, and public accountability are delivered within timeframes indicated to industry.
- Where complexity or risk is identified the support of other members of the team and staff is promptly sought so that issues can be resolved quickly.
Effective permit management
- A professional rapport is established and maintained with the advisor’s assigned permit holders (this will develop over time through reading relevant communications and documents on the permit record, through face-to-face and telephone conversations with permit holders, and attendance at Annual Review Meetings and industry events).
- Permit records assigned to the advisor are complete and any related reviews (e.g., of Tier status) are up to date.
- Assessment of work programme, financial, technical, and other reporting compliance is up to date.
- Identified non-compliance is followed up, including identifying options in communications with permit holders.
- Senior staff are accompanied and assisted by the advisor on site visits and investigations.
Continuous business improvement
- All communications verbal or written are of a high standard and professional.
- Internal processes are well documented and reflect the current permit situation
- Industry express satisfaction with information provided by the advisor.
- There is contribution of ideas for continuous business improvement.
- Cross-team projects to improve the efficiency of the permit allocation regime are supported by the advisors’ contribution.
Relationship management
- Good working relationships with other MBIE teams and other regulatory agencies such as WorkSafe, Department of Conservation, Land Information New Zealand and local regional authorities (councils) are supported through conversation, email and presentations.
- Manage constructive working relationships with work colleagues and external stakeholders to enhance understanding and cooperation needed to achieve desired results.
- Summaries and briefings for management on applications and permits in the individuals’ portfolio are prepared promptly.
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 Minerals Advisor position reports into the Manager Minerals Operations within the Energy and Resource Markets branch. The branch sits within the Building, Resources and Markets 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
