Emergency Management Advisor – Welfare

Gisborne District Council; Gisborne; On-site; NZD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Modern office

Eye exams

Southern Cross discounts

Retail perks

Job summary

Gisborne District Council is seeking an experienced Emergency Management Advisor – Welfare to lead welfare readiness, response and recovery across the Tairāwhiti CDEM Group. You will collaborate with mana whenua, government agencies and emergency services to ensure community-led welfare arrangements.

You will help shape long‑term resilience, coordinate training, and provide strategic advice to governance groups while maintaining calm, decisive leadership during emergencies.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in emergency management, community resilience, welfare or related fields.
• Experience leading complex programmes involving multiple agencies and stakeholders.
• Strong planning, facilitation and written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead welfare preparedness, response and recovery planning across the Tairāwhiti CDEM Group.
• Coordinate multi‑agency welfare arrangements before, during and after emergency events.
• Develop and maintain regional welfare plans, frameworks and operating procedures.
• Build partnerships with mana whenua, government agencies and emergency services.
• Lead training, exercises and capability development to strengthen regional readiness.
• Provide strategic advice and reports to governance groups and senior leaders.
• Represent Tairāwhiti on national emergency management and welfare forums.

Skills

Emergency management

Community resilience

Welfare planning

Stakeholder engagement

Civil Defence coordination

Leadership

Job description

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Help communities prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies.

We're looking for an experienced Emergency Management Advisor – Welfare to lead welfare planning and coordination across the Tairāwhiti Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group.

This is a unique opportunity to make a difference by strengthening community resilience, leading regional welfare preparedness, and coordinating support for people, whānau and communities before, during and after emergencies.

Mōtetūranga| About the position

As the Emergency Management Advisor - Welfare, you'll provide leadership for welfare readiness, response and recovery across the Tairāwhiti CDEM Group.

You'll work alongside local communities, mana whenua, government agencies, emergency services, NGOs and partner organisations to ensure welfare arrangements are community-led, well-coordinated and ready when they're needed most. Your development pathway will include the statutory role of Alternate Group Welfare Manager under the National Civil Defence Emergency Management Plan, providing leadership during emergency events and helping shape long-term community resilience.

• Lead welfare preparedness, response and recovery planning across the Tairāwhiti CDEM Group
• Coordinate multi-agency welfare arrangements before, during and after emergency events
• Assist with the scheduling and conduct of the Tairāwhiti Welfare Coordination Group and build capability across partner agencies
• Develop and maintain regional welfare plans, frameworks and operating procedures
• Build strong partnerships with mana whenua, community organisations, government agencies and emergency services
• Lead training, exercises and capability development to strengthen regional readiness
• Provide strategic advice and reports to governance groups and senior leaders
• Represent Tairāwhiti on national emergency management and welfare forums
• Significant experience in emergency management, community resilience, welfare, social services or a related field
• Experience leading complex programmes involving multiple agencies and stakeholders
• Strong planning, facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• The ability to remain calm, adaptable and decisive in high-pressure environments
• A sound understanding of emergency management systems and community-centred approaches
• A commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and working in partnership with mana whenua
• Experience within Civil Defence Emergency Management, emergency services or the Defence Force would be highly regarded.

Work-life balance: Flexible hours to help you manage personal commitments and maintain wellbeing

Wellbeing first: Ora Day, Piritahi Day, EAP, health checks & optional access to our Fitness Passport package

Perks: Modern office, eye exams, Southern Cross discounts, retail perks

Growth: A values-led environment where your development is supported

Location: Live and work in stunning Gisborne – close to the beach, rivers and bush

Gisborne District Council is one of only six unitary authorities in Aotearoa, meaning we deliver both district and regional council mahi. We’re committed to honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi, weaving te ao Māori into everything we do, and making a real difference for the people and places of Tairāwhiti.

Our mahi is diverse, from looking after roads, water, rubbish and recycling, to protecting our environment, supporting community facilities like pools, parks and libraries, and shaping the region’s future through planning and governance. With over 500 staff, we’re a team that’s passionate about making Tairāwhiti a thriving place to live, work and play.

For any questions or further information, email ***********@gdc.govt.nz.

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, and the role will be filled once the right candidate is identified.

To view the full job description, please see the job attachments section on the careers page.