POSITION DESCRIPTION
TITLE: Principal Mayoral Advisor
VACANCY NO:(applicable for recruitment only)
GROUP: Strategic Policy and Performance
REPORTS TO: Head of Office of the Mayor and
Chief Executive
DIRECT REPORTS: Nil
LOCATION:
Any Council Location
DATE: November 2021
Purpose of the position:
To support the Mayor to maintain and develop external and internal relationships & liaison including
government relationships, GCP, CMF, LGNZ, and fellow elected members.
The position holder will work within a team environment, complementing and supporting other advice. This
includes working with senior Council employees to ensure the Mayor has comprehensive advice that meets the
Mayor’s needs.
The position holder will assess issues for risk as well as opportunity.
General:
As an employee of the Council you are required to:
Respond to the changing needs of the Council, performing other tasks as reasonably required.
Maintain a strict sense of professional ethics, maintaining confidentiality and privacy as per the Privacy Act and
abiding by Council Policy.
Be responsible for meeting the provisions of the Public Records Act 2005 (PRA) and the Local Government
Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (LGOIMA) in respect of Council information, and for following related
Christchurch City Council policies and processes.
Be associated, as required, with
CIVIL DEFENCE or any exercise that might be organised in relation to this
council function.
Assist, support and respond to, as reasonably required, any event where the Business Continuity Plan is activated.
Key Areas Of Accountability
High level Strategy
Collaborating with staff and providing advice to the Mayor, particularly on
and Policy Advice
relationships & liaison in the context of the Mayor’s overall aims and objectives, on
and Support to the
new policy proposals and policy development and implementation.
Mayor
Provide high quality, impartial, free and frank strategy and policy advice and accurate
information is available to support the Mayor’s priorities, decision making, risks and
issue management, and all engagements (internal and external).
Support the Mayor to develop and articulate their vision for Christchurch, particularly
through the Mayor’s leadership of the Council’s plans, policies and budget.
Reliably represent and advocate the Mayor’s interests within Government, partners
and across Council where appropriate.
Attend the Mayor’s policy meetings with staff and elected members as requested by
the Mayor.
Strategic Policy & Performance
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Reviewed: December 2019
Key Areas Of Accountability
Provide advice and comments on drafts prepared by staff of council reports, other
council briefings and speeches. Prepare reports for Council as required.
Provide assistance and support to the Mayor at briefings, meetings and other events as
required including speech writing.
Risk Management
Identify potential areas of risk and develop risk mitigation strategies, in consultation
with the Mayor and senior Council employees.
Understand and actively work with the Mayor to manage any relationship risks.
Relationship
Liaise with relevant Minister’s offices on cross agency policy issues; advise the Mayor,
Management
elected members and staff; help resolve any differences of view.
Develop and maintain effective internal and external networks and information flows
to ensure the Mayor is fully apprised on relevant issues.
Build and maintain positive and collaborative working relationships across the
organisation, including with the other members of the group, the Executive Leadership
Team, and with elected members.
Maintain a network of contacts in relevant stakeholder organisations and provide
advice and feedback to staff and to the Mayor on their views on Council policy
proposals and on concerns or issues on which the Council may need to focus.
Manage relationships with Councillors, external stakeholders, the Chief Executive and
senior Council employees in a sensitive and discrete manner
Communication
Draft appropriate correspondence as required.
Facilitate effective communications between the Mayor, elected members, respective
Minister’s offices as well as the wider Council organisation.
Health & Safety
Responsible for keeping yourself and others safe while at work, complying with
Council health and safety systems and wearing protective clothing and using
equipment provided.
Budget
Accountable and responsible for managing a budget of $ Nil
Delegations
Delegated authority is as per the Register of Delegations on the Christchurch City
Council website
Key Relationships/Customers:
Internal
Nature of the Relationship
Assistant Chief Executive Strategic Policy and
Reports to
Performance
Mayor
Liaise and consult with, provide information and advice
to
Chief Executive and ELT
Consult with and provide information to
Deputy Mayor and Councillors
Provide information and support to
Strategic Policy and Performance
Liaise with and provide information
Strategic Policy and Performance Advisory team
Liaise with, two way information flow, inform and alert
Strategic Policy & Performance
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Public Information and Participation Head of and
Liaise with, two way information flow, inform and alert
team
Senior Leaders
Liaise with and provide information
External
Nature of the Relationship
Members of the public
Receive and respond to information and requests
Central Government Ministers and other Members of
Liaise with and provide information
Parliament
Other government agencies
Liaise with and provide information
Senior executives and business leaders in external
Liaise with and provide information
organisations
Formal Qualifications and Training
Required
Desirable
Post Graduate Degree in an appropriate business related discipline or equivalent
work experience is essential
Holds a full clean drivers licence
Key Experience/Knowledge/Skills/Competencies
Required
Desirable
Extensive specialised experience in a similar role, in a medium to large and complex
organisation
Experience of working within the public sector and democratic processes and
administration
Must be able to work to achieve outcomes with senior individuals through use of
influencing skills, facts and logic
Demonstrates extensive experience, knowledge and understanding of working
within highly politicised and sensitive environments
A strong understanding of the machinery of local/central government decision
making processes, including working knowledge of the Local Government Act and
local government decision-making processes
Able to thrive in a diverse, fast moving, demanding, ambiguous and changing
environment.
Working Collaboratively
Co-operates to find solutions which achieve your goals and those of others.
Asks others for their ideas and input.
Helps others willingly and is willing to accept help.
Gets to know people outside of their own team.
Communication
Engages with others; listening and showing respect for their input, suggestions
and feedback.
Puts forwards suggestions, ideas and feedback.
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Key Experience/Knowledge/Skills/Competencies
Required
Desirable
Shares relevant information with colleagues.
Communicates clearly and constructively, verbally and in writing.
Considers their audience and adapts their communication accordingly.
Focus on Results
Can be counted on to achieve goals successfully and safely.
Monitors own progress and is willing to try different approaches in order to be
successful.
Is proactive in highlighting barriers which affect the delivery of services/results.
Acknowledges others progress and success; giving feedback and credit where it’s
due.
Embracing Change
Identifies ways to improve daily activities/processes/tasks.
Accepts change as an organisational reality; responds helpfully and positively.
Understands how self and others react during change.
Supports colleagues though change.
Strategic Policy & Performance
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POSITION DESCRIPTION
How the position fits into the organisation:
Chief Executive
Principal Advisor Ngai
Team Leader Executive
Tahu Relationships
Support
General Manager
General Manager
Infrastructure,
General Manager
Assistant Chief
Resources
Planning & Regulatory
Citizens & Community
Executive Strategic
Services
Policy & Performance
Head of Office of Mayor
and Chief Executive
Principal Mayoral
Advisor
Strategic Policy & Performance
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