Senior Advisor, Planning

Senior Advisor, National Planning

Type: Permanent

Location: Wellington or Christchurch

Are you looking for a role that makes a real difference in the national emergency management planning space? If so, nau mai, haere mai! NEMA is looking for an experienced and dynamic planner who can collaborate across the emergency management system, use initiative, and develop planning products to address readiness across Aotearoa's vast hazardscape.

Ko wai m tou | About us

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) provides national leadership to New Zealand's distributed emergency management system. NEMA's primary focus is on the performance and capability of the emergency management system as a whole, across all hazards and all risks and the 4 Rs of risk reduction, readiness, response and recovery.

NEMA values diversity and inclusion. We want our workforce to reflect the diversity of our communities. We value and respect the contributions of our people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, skills and perspectives. We support flexible ways of working that bring out the best in you.

We are committed to doing our part to deliver on the Crown's commitments to M ori under Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We strive to actively build te Ao M ori perspectives and capability into our day to day work, values and practices.

Mo tenei turanga mahi | About this role

The position sits with the Planning and Sector Partnerships Unit, responsible for the development and maintenance of New Zealand's national emergency management planning framework and partnering with social and infrastructure sectors to build resilience across the 4 Rs of risk reduction, readiness, response and recovery in support of communities.

As NEMA is an operational agency, there may be a requirement to respond to emergency activations in the event of a national emergency response. This may include potentially long hours and challenging working conditions, e.g. an emergency could occur at any time of the day or night and may require working shifts and/or working weekends. NEMA provides thorough training prior to you being required to assist in a response. NEMA will do all in its power to support staff in meeting their work and family responsibilities during an emergency. The welfare and wellbeing of our staff is of utmost importance.

The response role for this position is with the National Planning Function.

Due to the nature of our role in Emergency Management, NEMA has a very dynamic work environment and as a small agency, staff are often required to pivot and change focus on their work at short notice. Attributes of adaptability, agility, resilience and curiosity are all required on a daily basis, in and out of times of emergency response.

Ko wai koe | About you

We are looking for a candidate with the following attributes:

• Demonstrates resilience, agility and curiosity,
• Dynamic thinking, able to quickly adapt in constantly changing circumstances,
• Comfortable working in a highly collaborative work environment,
• An ability to deliver high quality work under pressure (within a response environment or working to time constraints),
• High level of judgement with the ability to make effective decisions in complex situations,
• Anticipates complex problems and looks for opportunities to deliver system level improvements and efficiencies.

Huanga Whaiaro | Key requirements

• Ability to think strategically with strong initiative and problem-solving abilities,
• Ability to utilise initiative and deliver outputs within a high trust model environment,
• Ability to adapt in quick changing circumstances,
• Confident, reliable, resilient demeanour,
• Has high standards of professionalism, integrity and accountability.

Ta matou e tuku | What we offer

We pride ourselves on the quality of our staff and understand the importance of fostering a working environment where excellence is recognised and where staff are encouraged to develop their own talents and potential. We welcome diversity, in all its forms and we believe it is a strength.

NEMA values staff health, safety and wellbeing, and a positive work life balance is encouraged.

The indicative salary range for this role is $109,621 - $119,701 including Kiwisaver employer contributions. NEMA has a number of benefits for staff including; departmental leave, wellbeing allowance, vision care allowance, discounted health insurance and Koru membership.

Whakaritenga Haumaru | Security Requirements

Due to the security requirements of this role, applicants must be a New Zealand citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident.

Me pehea te tono | How to apply

Please select 'Apply' to download a position description or apply. If you have any questions, contact us at NEMATalent@nema.govt.nz. We do not accept unsolicited approaches from agencies or 3rd parties.

Applications close 5pm Monday 2nd June 2025.