Principal Implementation Advisor

Job Type: Fixed Term | Full Time

Location: Christchurch, New Zealand

Job Category: Environmental Services

• Support the design and implementation of new ways of working
• Enable increased collaborative effort on catchment management
• Be a driver and influencer of positive long-term change

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

The Principal Implementation Advisor leads in the creation, design and development of implementation programmes associated with the delivery of Water and Land priorities (e.g., Catchment Scale Implementation). They drive an integrated and cross-organisational response to initiatives and projects and coordinate the provision of operational support and delivery.

Some Key Accountabilities Include

• Lead in the creation, design, and development of implementation Programmes of work and/or projects, that deliver on a specific operational outcome.
• Deliver implementation projects and/or programmes of work to agreed project deliverables.
• Analyse, provide specialist technical expertise and lead the resolution of complex issues and regional activity and coordinate organisational response to priority initiatives and projects.
• Lead cross organisational teams and technical experts to deliver on Programmes / projects that implement water and land priorities, including supporting, enabling and mentoring staff on management matters related to Programmes of work or project deliverables.

This role is fixed-term for 9 months.

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

Mōu │ About You

You are a seasoned professional with a can-do attitude, who likes to tackle opportunities in a collaborative way to deliver on the outcomes we need. You bring careful, considered judgement to a fast-moving team, naturally asking what could go wrong before committing, and helping the team place its bets wisely rather than slowing it down. You provide the rigour to make sure effort goes in the right direction, so that when we move quickly and learn by doing, we are failing on the right things rather than the avoidable ones.

You will be passionate about delivering outcomes at catchment scale, with the ability to navigate complexity and create practical pathways for collaborative implementation in complex organisations.

Mātau ā-Wheako | Experience

You Will Bring

• A minimum of eight years’ experience in environmental programme and/or project implementation, a team or project leader role
• Proven ability to quickly identify, engage stakeholders and to develop and maintain strong strategic relationships with national and regional stakeholders, tangata whenua and industry partners.
• Proven success in influence, persuasion and the ability to navigate through sensitive or contentious issues to develop and deliver improved community outcomes.
• Practical experience in working within statutory and project frameworks.
• Mix of public and private sector experience welcomed.

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

Apply directly by completing the online application form and submitting your CV and cover letter. Applications close on 5 August and will be reviewed as they are received, so early applications are encouraged. Interviews may begin before the closing date, and we reserve the right to close the advertisement 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