Title:
Communications Advisor
(12 month fixed term)
Group:
Organisational Performance Group
Reporting to:
Manager, Communications and Records Management
Date Issued:
January 2011
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Our role
The State Services Commission’s purpose statement is: We provide leadership to the State
Services so that government works better for New Zealanders.
Our role is not only to hold to account, but also to help improve the performance of
agencies, and therefore the quality of services they deliver to New Zealanders. In a similar
way to managers having a role in coaching their staff as well as monitoring their
performance, SSC works with Public Service chief executives and agencies in the wider
State sector to improve performance through assessing the performance of individuals and
agencies and providing assistance to improve that performance through guidance,
knowledge brokering, standards and expectation setting and the provision of trusted
advice.
The Commission’s work programme is designed to contribute to the Government’s
strategic direction for the State sector - Delivering better, smarter public services for less.
We want agencies to focus on results, working more closely together and lifting their
capability to deliver services while operating in an environment of tightening budgets.
We are:
Respectful ... we listen
Innovative ...we challenge
Credible ... we walk the talk
We make a difference
These behaviours drive everything we do
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PD EXT Comms Advisor PIF
The Performance Improvement Framework
The Performance Improvement Framework is designed to provide a common language and
expectations of performance; strengthen the culture of continuous improvement in the
State services; provide transparent and comparative ex-post performance information;
improve decision making on resourcing and prioritisation; and strengthen accountability.
Central Agencies’ current monitoring of agency performance does not allow for a
comparative (over time) or comprehensive and consistent view of agency, sector or system
performance. Central Agencies do not have a common view on the systemic issues and
challenges facing agencies. A Performance Improvement Framework will establish what
good performance looks like and clarify expectations.
The Performance Improvement Framework has been developed based on private and
public sector models. It draws on the experience of the UK capability review programme,
the Canadian Management Accountability Framework and previous New Zealand
initiatives and thinking. The Performance Improvement Framework is comprehensive: it
examines agency, sector and system and within each of these, explores both management
practices and delivery of results. Overtime we can gain an understanding of cross agency
functional areas for development and prioritise resources to improve these systemic issues.
Your role
Your role will be to support the Deputy Commissioner Performance Improvement
Framework, Managers and Senior Advisors in improving the communications and delivery
of the Performance Improvement Framework.
This will involve working with the Senior Communications Advisor and the Performance
Improvement Framework team to develop and deliver high quality communications and
materials within the overall communications strategy for the project.
The work will include developing key messaging, preparing written materials and
presentations, producing and delivering training seminars for colleagues across the sector,
and supporting effective relationship management, both across Central Agencies and the
wider State Services.
Specific areas of responsibility and focus will be agreed with your manager and
summarised in six monthly statements of accountability.
The ideal candidate
You will have experience working in the public sector and identify strongly with the values
of an independent, politically neutral and high-performing Public Service.
As well as strong analytical, influencing, problem solving and communication skills, you
will also have the ability to develop and maintain relationships with a wide variety of
stakeholders. You will demonstrate a results focus with a high level of personal
motivation, multi-tasking and self management.
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You will also need to demonstrate set behavioural competencies for the position 1: These
will include: the ability to cope with change; being a good problem solver; being able to
relate to people at all levels of the organisation; remaining calm under pressure; being
focussed on your customer; having excellent written skills and the ability to effectively
communicate messages; the ability to learn new tasks quickly; the ability to get things done
quickly and effectively; continuously seeking self improvement
For a full description of the behavioural competencies for this role, please contact the
Recruitment Consultant at SSC. (04 495 6617) or email recruitment@ssc.govt.nz
1
These skill descriptions are based on Lominger International’s LEADERSHIP ARCHITECT Competency
Sort Cards, Copyright  1992, 1996, 2001-2003 Lominger Limited, Inc., a subsidiary of Korn/Ferry
International ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, and are used with the express permission of Lominger
International.
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