Job Description
Job Title
Ministerial Advisor
Branch
Ministerial and Secretariat Services
Business Group
Shared Services
Reporting to
Manager Ministerial Staffing
Location
Wellington
Date Graded
17/4/12
Purpose
Incumbents in this role will provide general and political advice to the Minister on his/her portfolio(s)
and parliamentary responsibilities that is consistent with the objectives of the government.
To develop appropriate relationships with Caucus, coalition and support parties in order to facilitate
progress of policy and legislation within the Minister's portfolio responsibilities.
You will be responsible to the Minister for the provision of political advice.
You will be responsible to the Senior Private Secretary for administrative functions.
No Long term guarantee of Job Security can be given. The sudden advent of a reallocation of your
Minister’s responsibilities which results in a significant change to your role, snap election, and the
normal three year Parliamentary term of office all emphasise that on-going employment is not
guaranteed.
Key Tasks
Analysis, Information & Advice
•
Provide the Minister with political oversight and high quality independent advice on policy
proposals and submissions received in line with the government's objective.
•
Monitor relevant Cabinet Committee papers/minutes and draw to the Minister’s attention all
issues of significance.
•
Engage, effectively with internal and external experts in relation to the Minister's portfolio(s) so
that the best information is available for discussion, decision making, policy development,
planning and risk management.
• Answer questions of interpretation that raise significant issues in relation to Government policy.
Strategic Planning
•
Provide input into the government’s strategic planning.
• Actively participate in the development of the Minister's work planning.
Leadership
•
Advise, guide and mentor appropriate Associate Ministers’ and Under-Secretaries’ staff in
relation to the Minister’s portfolios.
•
Promote a culture of high performance and excellence.
• Be a positive role model and act as a positive and inspiring advocate in relation to the
completion of work assignments.
Relationship Management
•
Manage the Ministerial office relationship with Coalition and support party spokespeople and
work with Prime Minister's office on relevant support party consultation issues.
•
Maintain effective relationships with the Prime Minister's advisory team; identify and advise of
any potential risks as soon as possible.
•
Develop and maintain effective liaison and relationships with key stakeholders in Ministers’
portfolios.
•
Attend meetings with officials, sector organisations, and any other relevant meetings as
required.
•
Attend and play an active part in the weekly Advisors’ meeting.
Sector and Stakeholder Consultation
•
As directed consult with and advise appropriate support parties on policy and legislation within
the Minister’s portfolio(s) responsibilities in accordance with advice from the Prime Minister's
office
•
Consult with the Prime Minister's office on the implementation of portfolio plans
•
Consult with and advise Portfolio Advisors, Senior Private Secretary, Press Secretary and
other office staff on the implementation of portfolio plans.
•
Maintain effective relationships with the Prime Minister's advisory team.
•
Advise, with government members on Select Committees, on relevant legislation to ensure the
Minister and Government is kept abreast of developments.
• Liaise with Caucus Committees and Research Unit.
Risk Management
•
Identify potential areas of risk and develop risk mitigation strategies, in consultation with the
Minister and senior office staff.
•
Risk management of issues within Minister’s portfolios and ensuring the Prime Minister’s office
is kept informed about potential risks and opportunities.
•
Understand and actively work with the Minister to manage any political risks.
• Operate on a “heads up” basis so that any key risks are alerted to the Minister.
Work Programme
•
Ensure the Minister is appropriately briefed for all House responsibilities.
• Actively participate in the development of the Minister's work planning.
Training
•
Attend all mandatory training as stipulated from time-to-time
•
Attend training on “Handling of Sensitive Documents” and the annual refresher.
Health & Safety
•
Takes personal responsibility for keeping self free from harm
•
Follows safe working procedures
•
Reports incidents promptly
•
Reports hazards promptly and suggests appropriate remedies
•
Knows what to do in the event of an emergency
•
Co-operates in implementing rehabilitation plans
Key Relationships
Internal
• Ministers
• Chief of Staff
• Prime Minister’s Office
• Ministerial Office staff
• Staff in other Ministers' offices/Coalition Partner and support party offices
• Whips' office
• Clerk's office
• Members of Parliament
• Cabinet Office staff
• Ministerial Services staff
External
• Chief Executives of Portfolio Departments, Ministries and State Owned Enterprises
• Staff of Portfolio Departments, Ministries and State Owned Enterprises
• Members of the public
• Minister's constituents
• Party officials
• Sector interest groups
Person Specification
Essential
Desirable
Experience
•
A University degree in a relevant discipline
Yes
•
Extensive knowledge of the workings of Government
Yes
Skills
•
Highly developed interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to relate
Yes
to and gain the confidence of the Minister.
•
Demonstrated ability to analyse, understand and convey complex
Yes
information in a simplified form
•
Demonstrated ability to think strategically and identify risk in the
development of Government policies.
•
Ability to work well as a team player and collaboratively across teams
Yes
•
Well developed relationship management and interpersonal skills
Yes
•
Proven ability to maintain confidentiality and use discretion, possesses
Yes
sound judgement and tack in dealing with sensitive issues.
•
Effective planning and co-ordination skills, with the ability to meet tight
Yes
deadlines and multi task.
•
Strong attention to detail and an ability to take responsibility for
Yes
completing tasks set.
Other
Security Clearance: Top Secret
Yes
DIA Competencies
Competencies are behaviours that drive job success. They are observable and measurable
characteristics that can be seen when a job is being done well.
With the exception of Achieves Effectiveness for Māori, the competencies DIA uses are derived
from the Competency Sort Cards developed and copyrighted by Lominger Limited, Inc. No part of
the Lominger competencies may be used, reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,
by or to any party outside of The Department of Internal Affairs.
The competencies required for your role are listed below. Each competency falls within a
competency cluster, which are broad themes of skills, behaviours and abilities.
Competency Cluster
Competency
Integrity and Trust
Integrity
Ethics and Values
Learning on the Fly
Intelligence
Intellectual Horsepower
Decision Quality
Talent to Execute
Written Communications
Self Knowledge
Emotional Maturity
Composure
Standing Alone
Edge
Command Skills
Dealing with Ambiguity
Strategic Agility
Managing Complexity
Dealing with Paradox
Perspective
Positive Energy
Perseverance
Interpersonal Savvy
Managing Diverse Relationships
Comfort around Higher Management
Political Savvy
Achieves Effectiveness for Māori
Effectiveness for Māori
Integrity
This is the ability to accept personal accountability for actions and decisions; to be reliable,
trustworthy, and honest in all aspects of our work; and to uphold the values and principles of the
Department.
Intelligence
This is the ability to learn, understand and think things out quickly. It is demonstrated in our ability
to reason, solve problems, think creatively, understand ideas that can be complex, and learn
quickly from experience. It is the ability to make sense of a changing environment and figuring out
what to do.
Talent to Execute
This is about getting the job done. It is the ability to achieve results for the Department and provide
an outstanding service, with and through others. It also describes continuously searching for
innovation and ways to add value in order to position the Department for future success.
Emotional Maturity
This is the ability to control one's emotions, to recognise their impact and to adapt to changing
circumstances, particularly during stressful times. It includes the ability to sense, understand, and
react to others' emotions. It is about knowing one's strengths and weaknesses and continuously
looking to improve oneself. It also requires individuals to demonstrate resilience and sound
judgment in dealing with challenges.
Edge
This is the ability to make tough calls and to demonstrate courage and confidence in challenging
situations. It encompasses expertise in risk management and decision-making. Those with edge
provide stability and clarity when crisis and confusion arise.
Managing Complexity
This is the ability to operate effectively in an ever-changing environment, scanning the horizon for
looming issues and providing solutions. This requires individuals to take an organisational
perspective when resolving problems, ensuring the Department maintains a strong culture of
innovation and togetherness.
Positive Energy
This is the demonstration of an upbeat attitude through good times and bad, and the desire to
strive for the best outcomes for the Department. Individuals who demonstrate this trait are able to
positively affect the behaviour of others, motivating them with a sense of purpose and spirit of
cooperation. It encompasses the capacity to care deeply for the work that we do and for the
principles and values of the Department.
Managing Diverse Relationships
This is the ability to work with a diverse range of people and to build mutually beneficial
relationships and networks, sometimes in complex environments. It is the ability to value the
contribution of others, respecting each other's views, beliefs and customs, united in a common
purpose.
Achieves Effectiveness for Mā
ori
Achieves Effectiveness for Māori describes working effectively with and for Māori colleagues,
clients and stakeholders, to ensure their specific needs are identified and met, and to create a
positive work environment for Māori. It relates to our Effectiveness for Māori (EfM) strategies,
policies and guidelines and supports our vision to be recognised as an EfM leader in public service.
Approved
Authorised Signature:
Name:
David Pullar
Position:
The Manager, Ministerial Support (Acting)
Date:
17 April 2012
