Senior Advisor International Engagement

Tēnei tūranga – About the role 

The Senior Advisor, International Engagement has responsibility to work with the international standards community for mutual benefit and leads identifying and prioritising international standards development projects and committees that are important for New Zealand’s interests taking an NZ Inc. approach. The Senior Advisor International Engagement has responsibility to represent New Zealand, MBIE and Standards New Zealand by taking part in international forums, meetings, conferences, and workshops.

The position will develop and lead the SNZ International Standards Participation strategy and work programme building and maintaining strategic working relationships with key stakeholders, in particular central government agencies, industry bodies and international standards bodies.  

The establishment and maintenance of effective working relationships at a senior level is a key part of this role. This includes the establishment of effective working relationships with international standards bodies and national standards bodies in other countries. 

Through proactive engagement, the role has responsibility to identify and encourage domestic stakeholders to contribute to the development of international standards. This involves preparing and presenting papers to the Standards Approval Board proposing new and replacement international committee members. 

The Senior Advisor International Engagement is responsible for establishing and managing processes to ensure that New Zealand meets its membership/agreement obligations within international standards organisations International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC); that we have effective committees in place and to ensure people (experts) are participating as effectively as they can with the right support. 

This role will also be accountable for supporting Standards New Zealand to deliver standards solutions that use international standards wherever practicable to enhance trade opportunities and reduce barriers to trade and take the lead to promote international standards solutions that are relevant to New Zealand.

The role also involves acting as the Secretary of the IEC National Committee of New Zealand.  

Due to the international engagement requirements of this role, there will be occasions when attendance at meetings/webinars takes place outside of normal working business hours.

Key relationships this role has responsibility for managing include:

• Sector and industry senior experts, particularly members of international technical committees, working groups, and Standards Development committees
• The New Zealand Standards Approval Board
• The IEC National Committee of New Zealand, specifically the President of the National Committee
• External stakeholders and experts including government agencies, regulators, industry bodies, tertiary organisations and industry experts
• Advisors who manage international relationships for other government agencies (e.g. colleagues in MBIE Trade and International Policy)
• ISO Central Secretariat (Geneva) and the ISO Asia-Pacific Regional Forum
• IEC Central Office (Geneva) and the Asia Pacific Regional Centre (APRC) Singapore
• Secretariat for Pacific Area Standards Congress (PASC)
• IEC National Committee Secretaries and the Asia Pacific Cooperation Forum (APCF)
• The European Committee for Standardization (CEN)
• Standards Australia International team 
• Members of the Standards New Zealand team, in particularly working closely with the Sector Engagement and Business Development Lead, Senior Advisor Communications and Marketing and the Advisor, International Standards Development, and the National Manager Standards New Zealand
• Other MBIE staff who manage relationships with international organisations
• Officials from other government agencies with international interests including Ministry Foreign Affairs and Trade, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, Department Prime Minister and Cabinet, Ministry of Primary Industries.

Ngā herenga – Requirements of the role

Personal specifications

• 5+ years of experience in the development and implementation of engagement strategies and plans, writing and delivering appropriate and audience focused material.
• Proven ability to take a strategic, proactive approach in the management of internal and external communications and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience representing New Zealand and engaging at an international level with other government agencies and industry bodies.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, demonstrated experience and ability in articulating complex ideas clearly and confidently in easy-to-understand language with precise attention to detail.
• Politically savvy and aware of government priorities, obligations, and protocols.
• Ability to quickly establish and build strong working relationships, and manage them.
• Proven ability to develop trust and credibility with stakeholders and within their own team
• Ability to mentor colleagues with less experience.
• Ability to work to deadlines and manage multiple projects efficiently and to prioritise competing commitments.
• Strong work ethic and high level of self-motivation – the right attitude is key here.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Client focused.
• Ability to relate to a wide variety of people in different situations.
• Good listening skills.
• Self-aware and focused on self-development.
• Must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand.

Takohanga tuhinga o mua – Key accountabilities and deliverables

Advancing New Zealand’s involvement in International Standards development

• Actively manage and seek out opportunities for advancing New Zealand’s interests through participation in international standards. This involves effectively raising the profile and proactive engagement with committees, experts and stakeholders.  
• Own the development and ongoing implementation of an international strategy, which includes actively developing and influencing relationships within identified priority sectors to ensure high awareness of international standards development in these areas and that effective participation occurs. 
• Lead Standards New Zealand’s engagement and contract negotiation with the Trade and Regulatory Cooperation Unit (MBIE) on international standards participation.
• Represent New Zealand and Standards New Zealand at international forums such as the Commonwealth Standards Network, European Committee for Standardization (CEN), ISO Asia-Pacific Regional Forum, IEC Asia Pacific Cooperation Forum (APCF), Pacific Area Standards Congress (PASC) and MoUs with other international and national standards bodies.
• Maintain ISO and IEC technical committee support functions; and support stakeholders to participate in ISO and IEC technical committees that assist New Zealand's goals.
• Establish and manage processes to ensure that New Zealand meets its membership obligations within ISO, IEC, and CEN. Work to underpin effective standards development relationships with ISO, IEC and other international standards organisations.
• Provide oversight and active management support of the processes for New Zealand's participation in, including voting on, the relevant ISO and IEC technical committees to ensure New Zealand's obligations and interests are met.
• Ensure all advice and plans take account of the wider strategic context of international participation for New Zealand.
• Identify and manage the coordination of international committees, ensure all data is accurately captured and prepare reporting as required.
• Ensure that potential committee members have the information they need to make informed decisions and are positively influenced to contribute to international standards development.
• Attend industry meetings, events and conferences and provide feedback on trends and opportunities.
• Attend international forums representing New Zealand and Standards New Zealand as required; for example the IEC General Meeting.
• Ensure that stakeholder needs are met through working with SNZ team and others in MBIE as required.
• Be a “go-to” subject matter expert on participating in International Standards Development and International Standards bodies.

Lead operational initiatives and advice to optimise New Zealand involvement in international brands participation

• Provide business analysis and advice to support international standards involvement, SNZ business strategy and meeting obligations under the Standards and Accreditation Act. 
• Writing aide memoires and briefing notes to Senior Management on issues as needed, about a range of topics to tight deadlines, high standards of quality and accuracy.
• Initiating changes to improve processes and procedures.
• Scoping business initiatives and projects to address improving New Zealand’s international standards involvement.

Monitor and report performance

• Take the lead on monitoring and reporting on international standards involvement and writing commentary on key metrics.
• Contributing to reports to Ministers and Senior Management on New Zealand’s international standards involvement.
• Identifying success stories which relate to international standards involvement that will inspire further uptake.

Manage internal and external relationships

• Proactively developing and maintaining connections with stakeholders within and outside of the Ministry, purposefully leveraging their activities and insights to better achieve desired outcomes.
• Developing and maintaining networks with other MBIE staff in order to source information quickly.
• Collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to ensure the solutions are fit for purpose.

Undertake the role of Secretary to the IEC National Committee of New Zealand (NC)

• Responsible for ensuring the coordination of the national interests to determine the national position and for communicating the position to the IEC Central Office. 
• In conjunction with the NC President, responsible for identifying and addressing any gaps in the representation of all national interests in the National Committee.
• Liaison with the IEC NZ Young professionals’ alumni.
• Maintain the NCNZ's collection of IEC publications for the purpose of national adoptions, sales and for distribution to experts who were involved in their development.
• The NC Secretary is the official contact for the IEC Central Office and for other IEC Members.
• Oversight of IEC Masterplan and drive implementation that aligns with and supports New Zealand and Standards New Zealand priorities and:
• All other NC Secretary responsibilities defined within the Terms of Reference agreement between the NC and New Zealand Standards Executive. 
• In performing these functions have regard to the:
  • value of standards
  • legitimate use of standards
  • building and maintaining strong relationships.

Organisation commitment and public service

• Represents whole-of-Ministry views and protects its reputation in any external interactions.
• Builds commitment to MBIE’s vision, mission, values and services.
• Willingly undertakes any duty required within the context of the position.
• Complies with all legislative requirements. Adheres to the Ministry’s and State Services Commission Codes of Conduct.
• Participates as an active team member and contributes knowledge and expertise needed to achieve MBIE's outcomes.
• Foster and facilitate open and active collaboration between agencies.

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 Senior Advisor International Engagement position reports to the Manager, Commercial and Sectors, Standards New Zealand in the Market Integrity branch in the Te Whakatairanga Service Delivery business 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