POSITION DESCRIPTION
Manager Safety, Health and Wellbeing, Strategy, Systems and Assurance
SAFETY, HEALTH, AND WELLBEING DIRECTORATE
Position number: 2863
Business area: Safety, Health, and Wellbeing Directorate
Location: NHQ Wellington
Reports to: National Manager Safety, Health, and Wellbeing
Leadership Capability: Lead Teams
WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE ARE ABOUT
Fire and Emergency New Zealand is a Crown Entity established on 1 July 2017 under the Fire and
Emergency New Zealand Act 2017.
We exist to protect and preserve the lives, property and environment of New Zealanders. We do this
through reducing unwanted fires, responding to fires and other emergencies including motor vehicle
crashes, medical emergencies, hazardous substance related incidents, natural disasters and
supporting increased community readiness and recovery.
As the most trusted public sector agency we continue to embed our values. Our values reflect what is
important to our people and set out what we believe is core to who we are and the organisation we
aspire to be. Our values are:
• We Do the Right Thing – Kia Tika
• We Serve and Support – Manaakitanga
• We Are Better Together – Whanaungatanga
• We Strive to Improve – Auahatanga
POSITION PURPOSE
The Manager Strategy, Systems and Assurance supports the delivery of comprehensive and nationally consistent Safety Health and Wellbeing (SHW) services to Fire and Emergency NZ. Responsible for supporting the directorate to deliver the work programme, monitor trends and insights, oversee assurance activities, the development and implementation of strategies and initiatives, and relationship management with senior leadership.
SCOPE OF JOB
Financial delegations: Refer delegations schedule
Staff responsibility: 5
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES & DELIVERABLES
The job holder is responsible for delivering results in the following areas:
Strategy • Developing and implementing SHW programmes, initiatives and policies that actively support the National SHW strategy and annual plan.
• Contributing to People Branch and wider organisational strategies that align plans and resources with business goals and objectives with a focus on Safety, Health, and Wellbeing.
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Technical
Leadership • Providing subject matter expertise in key aspects of Fire and Emergency
NZ safety, health and wellbeing systems including leadership, risk management and engagement.
• Ensuring the development and/or maintenance of reporting frameworks and systems (i.e. incident reporting application owner) that meet the needs of the organisation and compliance requirements.
• Providing advice and subject matter expertise to stakeholders and the wider SHW team.
People
Leadership • Leading and managing the Strategy, Systems and Assurance team to
deliver a large complex work programme.
• Setting clear objectives and proactively supporting and motivating the team to achieve.
• Developing a high-performing team through effective coaching and leadership
• Fostering an open collaborative environment that encourages quality, innovation, ongoing learning, and knowledge sharing.
Stakeholder
Engagement • Collaborating across the organisation to ensure operational readiness and
capability and business needs are met.
• Promoting, considering, and respecting the diversity of contributions from all components of the workforce and improving Fire and Emergency NZ’s engagement with relevant outcomes for Māori ways of working, systems, processes, and decision-making.
• Building effective relationships and credibility with key Fire and Emergency New Zealand stakeholders (including union and association representatives) to ensure safety, health and wellbeing initiatives reflect strategic and operational priorities and are consistently user centric.
Service Delivery • Overseeing and supporting safety, health and wellbeing audit and assurance processes and follow up including the annual Accredited Employer Programme audit.
• Managing key projects using effective project management methodologies to ensure they are delivered according to Fire and Emergency New Zealand time, cost, and quality standards.
• Leading the SHW investigation framework, management of ICAM investigations and monitoring of resulting actions and recommendations.
• Preparing monthly and quarterly reporting, trend analysis and recommendations for continuous improvement.
Other • Undertaking any other duties consistent with the position as may be required by the Manager.
• All Fire and Emergency employees are expected to operate in line with our organisational values which are:
o We Do the Right Thing – Kia Tika
o We Serve and Support – Manaakitanga
o We Are Better Together – Whanaungatanga
o We Strive to Improve - Auahatanga
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SAFETY, HEALTH & WELLBEING - RESPONSIBILITIES
• Understanding, and leading by expectation and example, your duty of care for safety, health and wellbeing in relation to Fire and Emergency New Zealand personnel, workplaces and work activities under your influence and control.
• Complies with the safety, health and wellbeing policy, relevant procedures and event reporting requirements.
• Reports all safety, health and wellbeing events (injuries, illnesses, near misses, and exposure to hazardous or biological substances)
• Involved in safety, health and wellbeing through participation and consultation processes.
KEY RELATIONSHIPS
Internal External
• People Business Partners
• Business stakeholders and managers
• Health and Safety Representatives and
Committees
• Service Delivery leadership
• ELT
• Relevant Fire and Emergency NZ committees
and interest groups
• WorkSafe NZ
• Comparable roles within other organisations –
particularly public sector organisations
• AFAC role equivalents (Australian Emergency
Services).
QUALIFICATIONS, ATTRIBUTES AND EXPERIENCE
Suitable candidates will possess the following experience, attributes and competencies:
Essential
• Relevant tertiary qualification and /or a sound understanding and knowledge of current Safety, Health & Wellbeing and good practice and approaches.
• Demonstrated experience leading organisational health & safety management approaches and practices.
• Ability to quickly comprehend and evaluate health & safety management systems at pace to gain understanding and provide assurance.
• Ability to promote national consistency and adherence to national procedures and standards.
• Deep knowledge and understanding of NZ Health & Safety legislation and associated regulations.
• Ability to work collaboratively with stakeholders and peers to develop and implement solutions.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a proven capability to develop sound solutions to complex issues.
• A flexible approach and responsiveness to new ideas and activities, demonstrated by willingness to take on new challenges, roles and responsibilities.
• Demonstrated ability to recruit, lead, influence and motivate teams in a positive and constructive way and manage performance to meet organisational goals.
• Demonstrated ability to allocate work and tasks to teams and individuals and monitor progress to meet deliverables.
• Ability to adopt a wide range of styles, tools and techniques to communicate effectively with stakeholders.
• Ability to communicate fluently (orally and in writing) and present complex information to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• A high level of self-awareness with a focus on own ongoing personal learning with a demonstrated learning agility.
• The ability to work collaboratively and effectively with both internal and external stakeholders and colleagues to develop and implement business plans and solutions to achieve desired organisational outcomes.
• Effective problem solving and trouble shooting skills with the ability to find practical and effective solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to work under tight timeframes and manage competing priorities
• A high level of personal resilience and adaptability with the ability to shift gears and change tack when needed.
• Ability to solve problems and find practical solutions to meet timelines and service expectations.
• Proficiency with Word, Excel, MS Project and PowerPoint.
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• Excellent time management and the ability to advise what is possible within time constraints.
• Aligned with Fire and Emergency’s values; committed to inclusive, respectful workplaces.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity and cultural responsiveness.
• Understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its practical application in public safety and risk reduction contexts.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, cultural competency, and meaningful engagement with Māori, Pacific, and other diverse communities.
Desirable
• A background in emergency services and/or in the private sector where a range of critical public services are provided.