Senior Engagement and Communications Advisor

Tēnei Tūranga – About the role

The Senior Engagement and Communications Advisor reports to the Manager, Engagement and Communications and delivers strategic engagement advice and services on an account management basis to specific branches/units/teams and/or programmes of work within the Ministry.

The Senior Engagement and Communications Advisor is based in teams focused on internal and external communications, corporate communications and customer engagement.  They are expected to work collegially and flexibly with others across the Communications and Ministerial Services branch to create a seamless client service.  They will work closely with Engagement Advisors to grow and develop their knowledge and experience.  This engagement may be in the delivery of communications advice and support to the business and/or working jointly on projects.

Portfolios may change in line with business requirements.

Ngā Herenga – Requirements of the role

Experience

• 5-7 years of experience in the development and implementation of engagement strategies and plans, and in the writing and delivery of appropriate and audience focused products.
• Proven ability to take a strategic, proactive approach in the management of reputation issues, internal and external communications and stakeholder engagement.
• Proven ability to identify and understand internal and external customer needs and adapt style and language to meet them.
• Proven ability to actively engage with a broad range of internal stakeholders from operations, policy, finance and other areas in shaping communication approaches.

Knowledge

• Knowledge, and preferably experience of, internal and corporate communications best practices and the impact they have on raising engagement and collaborative behaviour.
• Understanding of Government decision-making and operating procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain constructive and effective relationships at all levels.
• Ability to set priorities and manage time effectively.
• The agility and attitude to help other team members when workloads are high or where mentoring is required.
• Understands how different channels interact and work best together to achieve objectives.
• Can articulate the strengths and weaknesses of new technology in communicating with audiences.
• Aware of the elements of the customer experience and the ways in which policy and delivery can positively affect it.
• Keeps up to date with current affairs and is aware of the broader political/government context.
• Understands and applies customer segmentation principles in developing communication and engagement solutions.
• Demonstrate a practical understanding of emerging digital services, tools and trends, including techniques for optimising digital content.

Skills

• Strong writing, editing and oral communications skills.
• Knows and demonstrates best practice; accessibility, usability and writing for digital channels and able to provide e-communications advice to colleagues.
• Can demonstrate an understanding of research principles and methodologies.
• Can measure results against communications objectives.
• Tertiary qualification, preferably in a related area (PR, communications, journalism) and/or comparable relevant experience.

Other

• Must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand.

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.

The key responsibilities of the Senior Engagement and Communications Advisor:

Deliver quality results which contribute to the Ministry’s outcomes

• Contribute to the development of communications strategies and plans, and work with teams to implement those strategies and plans, in the subject areas the Senior Engagement and Communications Advisor is responsible for.
• Ensure advice and plans take account of the wider strategic context.
• Lead in the development of communications material as required, including material for the Minister’s office.
• Work with other members of the Communications Branch to develop and deliver internal and external engagement in the subject areas the Senior Engagement and Communications Advisor is responsible for.
• Work with others in the team to plan proactive media activity and develop and deliver responses to queries.
• Build customer insight using appropriate tools to monitor content and listen to conversations on key channels, including digital and social media.
• Advise on appropriate use of different channels for campaigns, ensuring an integrated approach and using digital channels to full potential

Relationship management

• Manage constructive working relationships with work colleagues and external stakeholders to enhance understanding and co-operation needed to achieve desired results.
• Participate as an active team member and contributes knowledge and expertise needed to achieve MBIE’s outcomes.
• Develop effective working relationships with other MBIE managers and staff in order to transfer knowledge and learning from the team to the wider organisation.
• Build and maintain effective relationships and partnerships with internal and external stakeholders and customers, as necessary, in order to identify and share best practice information and to promote the Ministry, its products and services.
• Represent whole-of-Ministry

Self-management

• Take responsibility for own behaviour and open to development.
• Model positive behaviours.
• Model the desired values and culture of the organisation.
• Willingly share knowledge, expertise and within the team and with others in the organisation.
• Act with honesty and integrity
• Welcome feedback and receptive to input from others

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 Senior Engagement and Communications Advisor position reports into the Manager Engagement and Communications in the Corporate, Governance and Information 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