• Permanent full-time position
• Auckland or Wellington based
• Salary band 5: $119,042 - $140,049

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The employment opportunity

We are seeking an experienced, capable human rights engagement advisor to join the Commission on a permanent full-time basis. The ideal candidate for this role will have a strategic mind, political nous, excellent knowledge of the Commission’s stakeholder groups, and a demonstrated understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and human rights.

The Principal Engagement Advisor will oversee thematic engagement with Commission stakeholders and advise and support Commissioners, the Commission’s senior leadership and staff on all forms of stakeholder engagement to help influence positive changes to human rights and Te Tiriti outcomes in Aotearoa New Zealand.

To succeed in this role, you’ll need to be agile in handling competing demands, diplomatic and culturally competent, adept at relationship-building and crisis management, technically proficient in human rights, and highly knowledgeable about the New Zealand political and community landscape, including its nuances, its people and its priorities.

He kōrero mōu | About you

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• Knowledge of and commitment to human rights, indigenous rights and Te Tiriti o Waitangi
• A relevant tertiary qualification(s) in law, politics, society, literature, history or culture is highly desirable and/or equivalent experience
• Proven ability to influence and effect change through advocacy, strategy development, planning, campaigning and public engagement
• Skilled reputation management
• Demonstrated leadership in strategic engagement planning in a similar environment (commissioners and senior leadership)
• Excellent written, oral and presentation communication skills
• Advanced collaborative and agile partnering, stakeholder management and influencing skills
• Experience developing and executing community engagement activities.

In return, we offer a flexible, inclusive, and diverse work environment, where your contributions are valued and you can really make a positive difference.

Mō te Kāhui Tika Tangata | About the Human Rights Commission

Te Kāhui Tika Tangata is Aotearoa New Zealand’s national human rights institution. The Commission was created to provide better protection of human rights in Aotearoa. We are committed to supporting a life of dignity for all, and to becoming a Te Tiriti based organisation tauira and human rights exemplar.

The Human Rights Commission was created to provide better protection of human rights in Aotearoa New Zealand. The Commission was formed in 1977 and works under the Human Rights Act 1993.

Te Kāhui Tika Tangata seeks and is committed to become a tauira (example) of a Tiriti-based organisation and Indigenous and human rights exemplar as a national human rights institution (NHRI).

Our vision is to be a credible, effective, connected and highly valued organisation that makes te Tiriti and human rights real and relevant within and outside the organisation, confident in its Tiriti-based aspiration and making a positive impact for all individuals, whānau, hapū, communities and iwi in Aotearoa New Zealand.

We are funded through the Ministry of Justice but operate independently of the New Zealand Government as an independent Crown Entity.

Ō mātau uara / Our values are:

• Mana Tangata – Human Dignity
• Māia, Tika, Pono – Courage and Integrity
• Whanaungatanga – Relationships

Ngā whaipainga o te mahi kei te Kāhui Tika Tangata | Benefits of working at the Human Rights Commission

• Generous leave package of five (5) weeks Annual Leave + an additional suite of leave, (Commission days, Cultural leave, Sick leave)
• Te Tiriti Based Organisation
• 37.5 hrs working week
• Flexible working
• Professional development
• Enhanced (above legislation) parental leave provisions.

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

We encourage applicants with a broad range of relevant experience.

We celebrate diversity. We do not discriminate in our hiring practices and, to build a strong and diverse workforce, actively seek a diverse applicant pool including those with a range of lived experiences. We welcome applications from disabled people, and from people with diverse ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds.

Please let us know, if any of our processes pose a barrier for you, or there is any support or assistance that would facilitate your participation in the application process. the job description and this advertisement are available in alternative formats and can be provided on request.

To download a position description, please click here.

To apply – please complete the application form after clicking “apply here”. Please ensure you include your cover letter and CV in your application.

If you would like to get in touch with the People and Culture Team at the Human Rights Commission, please email peopleandculture@tikatangata.org.nz.

Please note that you are not required to enter referee details throughout the application process.

Applications close at 5pm on Monday, 17 November

Applicants must have the legal right to work in Aotearoa New Zealand.