Senior Advisor, Operational Readiness and Response

Department of Internal Affairs; Wellington; On-site; NZD 115,000 - 134,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Department leave

Wellbeing allowance

Vision allowances

Job summary

National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Wellington seeks a Senior Advisor, Operational Readiness and Response to lead and support initiatives strengthening emergency readiness and response capability across NZ. You will provide expert operational advice, develop response arrangements, and work with stakeholders to enhance preparedness for emergencies.

The role sits in the National Operations Unit and may require non-standard hours during activations.

Qualifications

• Adaptability and flexible thinking to changing emergencies.
• Collaborative work style focused on achieving unit objectives.
• Ability to deliver high-quality outputs under pressure.
• Strong judgement for decisions in complex situations.
• Ability to work without direct authority to ensure tasks complete on time.
• Anticipates complex problems and intervenes when needed.
• Willingness to grow Māori capability and cultural confidence.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support initiatives to strengthen emergency readiness and response capability across NZ emergencies.
• Provide operational subject matter expertise and develop/ improve response arrangements.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance preparedness and ensure crisis readiness across agencies.

Skills

Adaptability

Collaboration

Pressure handling

Judgement

Self-management

Problem anticipation

Māori capability growth

Education

Tertiary qualification in Emergency Management

Job description

Senior Advisor, Operational Readiness and Response

Type:Fixed term to 25 June 2027
Location:Wellington
Applications close: 5pm 11 September 2026

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

As Senior Advisor Operational Readiness and Response you will be you will lead and support initiatives to strengthen emergency readiness and response capability across NEMA and the wider emergency management sector. You will provide operational subject matter expertise, develop and improve response arrangements, and work collaboratively with stakeholders to enhance New Zealand's preparedness for emergencies. The role contributes to the delivery of key National Operations programmes,including how the National Resilience Systemoperates during emergencies, and ensures the National Crisis Management Centre is response-ready.

This position sits in the National Operations Unit /Tari o Ngā Mahi ā-Motu which leads the operational systems, arrangements, facilities and infrastructure of NEMA to be ready for and able to respond effectively to emergencies.

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.

Your response role will be in the Operations 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:

• Flexibility of approach/thinking, able to adapt in constantly changing circumstances
• Comfortable facilitating a collaborative work environment, with a constant eye on completing the objective and goals of the business unit
• An ability to deliver high quality work output under pressure
• High level of judgement with the ability to make effective decisions in complex situations
• Able to manage without authority and ensure work gets completed effectively and on time
• Anticipates complex problems and watches for tell-tale indicators that warrant intervention
• Willingness to grow Māori capability and cultural confidence

Huanga Whaiaro | Key requirements

• A relevant tertiary qualification in Emergency Management or an equivalent body of knowledge and experience
• Significant experience working in an operational readiness or emergency response environment, ideally in an EOC, ECC, or NCC
• Knowledge and understanding of natural hazards
• Experience in persuading, influencing, building and maintaining effective collaborative relationships
• Ability to think strategically about issues when developing operational advice
• An understanding of the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi

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

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 BASE salary range for this role is $115,200 – $134,400.

NEMA offers other benefits such as

• Department leave
• Wellbeing allowance
• Vision allowances

Whakaritenga Haumaru|Security Requirements

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