Senior Communications and Engagement Advisor

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Job Type: Permanent | Full Time

Location: Christchurch, New Zealand

Job Category: Advertising, Media, Arts & Entertainment

  • Help us engage with our rural community and primary industry sector
  • Build understanding between rural and urban audiences
  • Join a collaborative and supportive team in a values-driven organisation

Kaunihera Taiao ki Waitaha │ About Environment Canterbury

As a regional council, we are responsible for managing natural resources including air, soil, water and land. We work in partnership with mana whenua Ngāi Tahu to protect the health of our environment to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for our region.

The region’s evolving environmental and political context means we will continue to be agile and adaptive, as we respond to regulatory and environmental changes.

Our mahi (work) is organised around the delivery of our three core services:

  • Environmental Regulation and Protection
  • Community Preparedness and Response to Hazards
  • Public Transport

Council plays an important role in responding to national legislation and policy changes – this mahi is part of our operating environment and is embedded in our everyday mahi. The current proposals from central government are significant, and Council is working through the opportunities and implications. However, our mahi must continue to deliver our three core services for our partners, communities and te taiao (environment).

Kōrero mō te Tūranga | About the Role

As one of our Senior Communications and Engagement Advisor, you’ll develop and implement communications and best practice engagement to help deliver the environmental improvements our community demands.

A major focus of the role will be on the rural sector and primary industries. An ideal candidate would be someone with a sound understanding of farming and the primary sector more broadly.

The role relates to our work in water quality, flood protection, community resilience, climate change, biodiversity, consents and compliance, regulation, and civil defence emergencies.

It’s an exciting time to work in local government, as we move forward with an ambitious programme of high-profile work.

For more information on this role, please refer to the job description at the bottom of the advert.

Mōu │ About You

You’ll be an enthusiastic, skilled, collaborator accomplished at engaging with different audiences. The work requires the ability to meet tight timeframes while juggling multiple projects so your ability to multitask while managing your time will be a winning combo.

Mātau ā-Wheako | Experience

You’ll ideally have a relevant tertiary degree in Communications and Engagement or related discipline along with 5 years or more of experience in community engagement, iwi/rūnanga relations, communications or digital communications.

Some of the skills and experience needed to excel in this role are:

  • Excel at communicating - taking complex information and transforming it into simple language, crafting well-written content for multiple channels.
  • An understanding of the rural community and primary industry.
  • Proven experience in developing and implementing community engagement campaigns.
  • Lead by example and contribute to team success through a hands-on approach.
  • Tact, confidentiality, and integrity when dealing with sensitive issues.
  • Understanding of te Ao Māori and te reo Māori is advantageous.
  • Dynamic and agile – balance a busy role with conflicting priorities and activities from across the organisation and agility to respond effectively to changing circumstances.
  • Customer-centric – our community/customers are at the centre of our organisational strategies, decision making and communication activity.
  • Understanding and use of te reo and tikanga Māori is an advantage.

Ngā hua o te Mahi i te Kaunihera Taiao ki Waitaha | Working at Environment Canterbury

Our Mahi Is Underpinned By Our Values

  • Kaitiakitanga (stewardship)
  • Pononga (integrity)
  • Manaakitanga (people first)
  • Whanaungatanga (collaboration)
  • Māiatanga (can do)

We understand and embrace a diverse workforce; this diversity will enable us to better serve our people, our community, and our greatest taonga, the environment. We value everyone’s contribution, diverse thinking, and skills.

We're on a journey to become a treaty partner of excellence, including incorporating te ao Māori into our work. We offer supportive opportunities to develop capability in this area and encourage our people to use kaupapa Māori, mātauranga Māori, and te reo Māori in our daily work. We welcome you with an open heart & mind, wherever you are on your personal te ao Māori journey.

Ko ētahi atu kōrero | Additional Information

Applications close on Sunday, 10 May. Applications will be reviewed as we receive them, and interviews may take place before the close date. We reserve the right to close advertising early.

Short-listed candidates will be required to complete an interview process, reference checks, and a criminal check. Further background checking will be required when relevant to the role.

We are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. If you're excited about this role but don't meet every qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply.

Me mahi tahi tātou - Together we can

Job Description

Job Description: