Position description
Position
Vice Chief of Defence
Department
New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF)
Context
The NZDF is the Government’s provider of military forces and contributes to
New Zealand’s national security, foreign affairs, and emergency management.
The Vice Chief of Defence Force is a military position responsible to the Chief of
Defence Force for:
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commanding the New Zealand Defence Force in the Chief of Defence
Force’s absence when so ordered
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deputising for the Chief of Defence Force as required
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directing and managing assigned branches of HQ NZDF1 in accordance
with the Defence Act 1990.
Key external
relationships
Government and Parliament:
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The Prime Minister
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The Minister of Defence
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The Minister of Veterans’ Affairs
Sector:
NZDF works closely with many agencies including: the Ministry of Defence, the
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the State Services Commission,
the Treasury, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the New Zealand
Security Intelligence Service, the Government Communications Security
Bureau, New Zealand Police and the NZ Customs Service (including the
National Maritime Co-ordination Centre), Antarctica New Zealand, Maritime
New Zealand, the Ministry for Primary Industries, the Ministry of Social
Development, Civil Defence and Emergency Management, the Department of
Internal Affairs, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, and the Department of
Conservation.
NZDF has important relationships with Defence Forces in the Asia-Pacific
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At the discretion of the Chief of Defence
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region, particularly Australia. NZDF has other military-to-military relationships
further afield that facilitate military deployments.
Communities and the public:
NZDF assists the New Zealand community via Reserve Forces personnel and
members of the Armed Forces. NZDF acknowledges the special relationship
between Maori and the Crown. NZDF also values and responds to the
increasing diversity of New Zealand’s population.
Performance profile
Accountabilities
The Vice Chief of Defence Force is accountable to the Chief of Defence Force
for:
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Medium-term priorities
Over the next four years the Vice Chief of Defence Force will be required to:
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command, direction and management of the New Zealand Defence Force
when ordered or exercised on the Chief of the Defence Force’s behalf
supporting the Chief of Defence Force in the leadership of the NZDF and
(along with other members of the Defence Force Leadership Board)
contributing to the development of strategies appropriate for the
management of the NZDF and military strategies appropriate to the
defence of New Zealand
the implementation of policies, plans, and programmes prescribed or
approved in accordance with the Defence Act 1990 on behalf of the Chief
of Defence, including leading Health and Safety in Employment matters
within NZDF
working with the Chief Operating Officer in the design and implementation
of reforms to strengthen and make NZDF more efficient
providing strong professional leadership to Defence personnel at all levels
to deliver agreed outputs and outcomes within allocated resources
ensuring an effective and co-operative working relationship with the
Ministry of Defence on defence matters, in particular with the Deputy
Secretary of Defence Policy and Planning, through the free sharing of
information, timely consultation, provision of high quality advice and
(where appropriate) joint decision making
modelling and promoting the highest standards of personal integrity,
leadership and collegial behaviour to achieve cohesive NZDF and whole
of government outcomes
ensuring NZDF operations are conducted in accordance with New
Zealand and international law, including the Law of Armed Conflict
maintaining discipline and morale within the Armed Forces and complying
with financial, ethical, good employer and other statutory and
administrative requirements in the operation of the NZDF.
support the Chief of Defence Force in maintaining the joint working
approach between the NZDF and the Ministry of Defence, including
developing a culture of information sharing and co-operation
support the CDF and the Secretary of Defence in the continuous
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Security Clearance
Statutory Relationships
improvements of the joint whole of life management of the capability
function
ensure NZDF has the right people, with the right skills to meet both force
element and business role requirements
implement decisions from the Defence Mid-Point Rebalancing Review
(which is likely to lead to a new Defence Assessment and Defence White
Paper in 2015)
with the Defence Force Leadership Board, deliver on Future 35: NZDF’s
Strategy to 2035 including integrating personnel, equipment and training
to deliver more flexible and relevant future capabilities
contribute to the development and maintenance of a highly capable and
cohesive Defence Force Leadership Board able to provide excellent
organisational management, a whole of New Zealand Defence Force and
national security perspective, and an understanding of the relationship
between the New Zealand Defence Force and the wider government
environment.
Appointment will be subject to a New Zealand Government Top Secret Special
security clearance.
The position of Vice Chief of Defence Force is at the MAJGEN (E) or equivalent
level.
Person profile
Person profile
Ideal skills and aptitudes for this position include:
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Position specific
competencies
High level command and leadership abilities
Strategic thinking with a Joint Forces perspective, and the ability to plan
and drive change
Proven ability to analyse and anticipate the political aspect of operations,
especially where there are international implications
Works collaboratively across agencies for collective impact
Proven track record of value-for-money management, including
developing and implementing a balanced capability strategy
Proven track record of high integrity and ethical conduct
An existing member of the armed forces
A relevant tertiary qualification is desirable.
The descriptors below summarise the aspects of a successful leader the Vice
Chief of Defence will need to demonstrate. These example skills relate
specifically to the current situation of NZDF.
Deliver results through
vision
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Collaborate to build and share a common purpose and direction
Influence through leading and following.
Deliver results through
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people
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Inspire passion, pace and positivity, creating and sustaining a unifying
culture using behaviours which promote enthusiasm and pride in the
NZDF vision
Identify, nurture and mobilise leadership and management talent,
planning effectively for succession in key posts
Build strategic partnerships, negotiating with strategic partners to
overcome obstacles and create an effective joint working relationship.
Deliver results through
execution
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Innovate and integrate (identify and manage interconnected issues,
making trade-offs and supporting cross-Defence mechanisms)
Effectively resolve Joint Forces issues to sustain focus on key strategic
deliverables.
Deliver results through
self
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Integrity (inspire respect, trust, loyalty and confidence of staff and
stakeholders)
Courage (adapt and thrive in challenging environments)
Self-awareness (actively encourage, listen to and act on feedback).
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