POSITION DESCRIPTION
Position
Voting Place Manager
Group/Business Unit
Voting Services
Reports to
Electorate Manager
Direct reports
None
Location
Designated Voting Place(s)
Date
March 2023
Key relationships
Internal relationships:
Electorate Manager
Voting Services Manager
Recruitment and Rostering Manager
Mobile Support Staff
Voting Place staff
External relationships:
Scrutineers
Voters
Members of the Public
Venue Management
Operating budget
None
Who we are
Confidence in a free, fair and secret voting system is at the heart of any democracy.
In Aotearoa New Zealand this is something we almost take for granted. But it relies on the integrity
of our electoral process, and at the Electoral Commission safeguarding trust and confidence in this
process is central to everything we do.
We are an independent Crown Entity. We are publicly funded and support a whole of government
approach. We operate the electoral system as prescribed in the Electoral Act and mandated by
parliament, running the country’s general elections, by-elections and referendums. We ensure the
integrity of the rolls and compliance with electoral requirements by parties, candidates and third
parties.
But our work extends beyond the usual three-year cycle and running general elections. We meet
complex and constantly changing requirements to keep New Zealanders at the centre of the
process.
New Zealand’s electoral system enjoys 95% satisfaction from voters and contributes to our
consistent ranking as one of the world’s top two democracies.
This is a priceless heritage. It belongs to all New Zealanders. We are proud to be constantly
advancing and sustaining the processes it relies on.
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Our values
Ngā uara hai pou mō te Kaitiaki take Kōwhiri, kia eke ai to māramatanga ki te pōti - Our five values
together form TAUMATA: a summit or peak which is often associated with an arduous journey, with
levels along the way, elevating to a higher plain, and success.
Our values help guide us in our mission that all New Zealanders trust, value and take part in
Parliamentary Elections.
1. Tūhonotanga - To join, bond, attach, connect.
Connecting / building and maintaining relationships
Bringing people together to increase participation in democracy.
2. Aratakina - To conduct, lead, point out, guide
Knowledge Transfer
Guiding towards greater understanding.
3. Uakaha - Vigour, energy, dynamism, enthusiasm
Energy / dynamism / innovation
Being dynamic and energetic in what we do.
4. Manaakitanga - Hospitality, kindness, generosity, support
Power Transfer
Demonstrating generosity and empowering people
5. Tika - Be true, valid, honest, genuine, sincere
Integrity and honesty
Doing things right; doing the right things!
Position Purpose
The Voting Place Manager is responsible for managing a Voting Place. This includes staff, voting
materials, security, and customer experience.
Your role
Operational Delivery
• Inspect Voting Place prior to the voting period to set up. Meet with venue management
or other staff as appropriate.
• Set up your voting place in accordance with the Voting Place plan. Ensure Voting Place is
open and ready by agreed upon time.
• Manage the operation of the Voting Place according to instructions provided.
• Perform the role of an Issuing Officer or Voter Assistant or other Voting Place staff as
required. Issue takeaway votes as required.
• Deal with enquiries from the public, deal with complaints as they arise.
Expected results:
• Voting Place functions smoothly and efficiently. High voter satisfaction is maintained.
• Procedures are followed carefully and deadlines met.
• Team functions well and absences are managed.
Leadership and Staff Management
• Ensure staff are informed of and are following all relevant health and safety policies and
procedures. Ensure security procedures are followed.
• Manage staff breaks and welfare. Arrange appropriate cover for absences. Ensure
rostering and staff management follows best practice guidelines.
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• Ensure paperwork is up to date and Voting Services Manager is kept appraised of
progress.
Expected results:
• Staff are well supported and receive guidance and appropriate pastoral support.
• Processes are well documented, and management are aware of any issues.
Commitment to cultural competency
• Recognise and understand the importance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi Commit to being a
positive treaty partner
Expected results:
• The Commission maintains and nurtures Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Team effectiveness and culture
• Contribute to team effectiveness by providing suggestions, learning feedback and
support to others, to enable the uplift of team performance and drive motivation.
• Regularly demonstrate a positive, open and collaborative mindset when contributing to
the team, organisation, values and activities of the Commission.
• Act as an ambassador for the culture and values of the Commission by demonstrating
them in all interactions.
Expected results:
• The Commission’s values are demonstrated through team behaviours, interactions and
performance.
• Team culture is strong and there is a willingness to provide and receive effective
feedback.
• Challenges are resolved effectively representing the team and/or organisation’s best
interests.
• The team operation is smooth and efficient and is uninterrupted when there are
absences.
Relationship management
• Act as an ambassador to the Commission through the effective development and
maintaining of positive internal and external stakeholder relationships.
• Maintain high ethical standards of conduct.
Expected results:
• Relationships are effective and successful with all internal and external stakeholders.
• A demonstrated commitment to acting with customers in mind and gaining their trust
and respect.
Quality systems and service
• Contribute to the achievement of team goals by meeting expectations and offering
suggestions for improving current systems and procedures.
• Adhere closely to written and verbal instruction. Seek clarification where needed.
• Ensure that service levels continue to meet a high standard through positive voter
interactions.
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Expected results:
• Team goals are achieved.
Leadership
• Proves leadership capability by being an encouraging leader of people. Can visualise
goals and inspire excellence in others.
• Committed to excellent results
Expected results:
• The Voting Place is well supported and tasks are completed on time.
Health, Safety and Wellbeing
• Take reasonable care for your own health and safety and that of others at work.
• Proactively demonstrate adherence to the organisation’s Health, Safety and Wellbeing
related values, acting as an advocate and support for all our employee’s wellbeing.
• Comply with the Commission’s health and safety policies and procedures. Take action to
improve health and safety record of the workplace. Ensures equipment and work areas
are well maintained.
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting of any risks or hazards and potential risks or
hazards so that they may be remedied.
• Promote and advocate employee wellbeing, acting as a champion for wellbeing.
• Lead, champion, and promote continual improvement in health and wellbeing to create a
healthy and safe culture.
• Continuously engage with the team to enable them to actively participate in wellbeing
activities and initiatives.
Expected results:
• All employees understand their responsibilities and utilise development programmes to
ensure they have the required health and safety competency.
• All employees are required to improve Health, Safety and Wellbeing in their work
environment to create an improved health and safety culture in line with the Health,
Safety and Wellbeing policy
• The team is continuously engaged with to enable them to actively participate in wellbeing
activities and initiatives.
Key competencies
• Results Orientation: The ability and desire to achieve effective results, and work towards
or exceed an agreed goal.
• Leadership: Models exemplary behaviours, ethics and values and creates a sense of vision
that engages and motivates people.
• Resilience: The ability to keep functioning effectively when under pressure and maintain
self control in the face of adversity. Remains calm composed and positive in stressful or
high pressured situations. Can recover quickly from any setbacks.
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• Team Building: Ensures team members are working towards a common goal. Team
members are valued equally and are supported in a way to achieve joint success.
Constructive feedback is provided, and good work is praised
• Good Judgement: Makes good decisions based upon a mixture of analysis, wisdom,
experience, and judgement; most of his/her solutions and suggestions turn out to be
correct and accurate when judged over time; sought out by others for advice and solutions.
• Communication: The ability to express thoughts and ideas with clarity and present a
consistent point of view both orally and in a written format.
Qualifications and technical skills
• Excellent communication, literacy, and numeracy skills.
• Good level of computer literacy with the Microsoft suite and ability to quickly learn
election-based IT systems.
• Excellent data entry skills.
Experience and knowledge profile
• Experience of providing high-level administrative support.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills.
• Awareness of and sensitivity to different cultural or physical needs of others.
• Ability to work accurately under pressure, displaying flexibility to change tack when
needed.
• Previous election experience would be an advantage.
• Full NZ driver’s license is an advantage.
Public Service introduction
Ka mahitahi mātou o te ratonga tūmatanui kia whai tikanga ai te noho a ngā tāngata o Aotearoa i
āianei, ā, hei ngā rā ki tua hoki. He kawenga tino whaitake tā mātou hei tautoko i te Karauna i
runga i āna hononga ki a ngāi Māori i raro i te Tiriti o Waitangi. Ka tautoko mātou i te kāwanatanga
manapori. Ka whakakotahingia mātou e te wairua whakarato ki ō mātou hapori, ā, e arahina ana
mātou e ngā mātāpono me ngā tikanga matua o te ratonga tūmatanui i roto i ā mātou mahi.
In the public service we work collectively to make a meaningful difference for New Zealanders now
and in the future. We have an important role in supporting the Crown in its relationships with Māori
under the Treaty of Waitangi. We support democratic government. We are unified by a spirit of
service to our communities and guided by the core principles and values of the public service in
our work.
You can find out more about what this means at
(About the Public Service Commission - Te Kawa
Mataaho Public Service Commission).
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