Strategy Advisor

Environment Canterbury; Christchurch; Hybrid; NZD 30,000 - 54,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

WFH options

Job summary

Environment Canterbury is seeking a part-time, permanent Strategy Advisor to support the development of high-quality strategic and policy advice for senior leaders. You will work with strategy advisors, technical specialists, and external partners to gather evidence, analyse issues, and provide clear recommendations for decision-makers.

You’ll join a collaborative team, contributing to climate resilience and hazards initiatives while supporting Canterbury’s communities and environment.

Qualifications

• Ideally, a relevant tertiary qualification or technical training is held.
• Two years of relevant public or private sector experience is required.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability with clear communication of complex issues.
• Experience contributing to strategy or policy development, analysis, monitoring, or advisory work.
• Ability to work collaboratively and build effective relationships.
• Good organisational skills and ability to manage priorities in projects or portfolios.
• Understanding Canterbury’s context, including natural hazards, climate change, and resilience.
• Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, tikanga, and Māori perspectives in strategic advice and engagement.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategic and policy advice through research, analysis, and synthesis of evidence.
• Collaborate with partners, stakeholders, government agencies and iwi to align objectives and solutions.
• Monitor and report progress toward strategic outcomes and adapt approaches as needed.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

Tertiary qualification

Job description

Job Type: Permanent | Part Time

Location: Christchurch, New Zealand

Job Category: Consulting and Strategy

• Support the development of strategic & policy advice for senior leaders & elected members
• Collaborative and supportive team environment
• Part Time 20 Hours Per Week | Flexible start/finish hours + WFH options

Kaunihera Taiao ki Waitaha | About Environment Canterbury

As a regional council, we are responsible for supporting the community to be prepared for, and able to respond to, natural and human induced hazards and events. 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

You’ll support the development of high-quality strategic and policy advice that helps leaders make informed decisions on complex issues affecting our organisation and region. You’ll work with strategy advisors, technical specialists, operational teams and external partners to bring together evidence, analyse issues and options, and contribute to clear and practical advice for decision-makers.

You’ll Join a Collaborative Team Of Strategy Advisors Providing Strategic Advice Across Climate And Natural Hazard Resilience. Your Work Will Contribute To The Community Preparedness And Response To Hazards Core Service, As Well As Regional Climate Change And Resilience Initiatives.

You’ll Support Work Including

• Develop strategic and policy advice through research, qualitative and quantitative analysis, and synthesis of evidence
• Work with partners, stakeholders, government agencies and iwi to build relationships, support shared objectives and identify collective solutions
• Monitor, evaluate and report progress towards strategic outcomes and identifying where priorities or approaches may need to change

This is a permanent part time position based on 20 hours per week.

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

Mōu | About You

You’re a curious and capable strategy professional who enjoys working on complex issues and making sense of information from different sources. You’ll be comfortable working collaboratively, building relationships and contributing to work that helps improve decision-making and outcomes for Canterbury.

Mātau ā-Wheako | Experience

Ideally, you’ll have a relevant tertiary qualification or other relevant technical training, with relevant working experience along with:

• At least two years relevant experience in the public or private sector is required.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to research, assess and synthesise information and communicate it clearly
• Experience contributing to strategy or policy development, analysis, monitoring and evaluation, or related advisory work
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, partners and stakeholders and build effective working relationships
• Good organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and contribute to the delivery of projects, programmes or portfolios
• An understanding of the strategic issues affecting Canterbury, particularly in relation to natural hazards, climate change and resilience
• Commitment to understanding and applying Te Tiriti o Waitangi, tikanga and te ao Māori perspectives in strategic advice and engagement

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 Wednesday 23 September 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.