Principal Advisor - Communicable Disease - Health Protection - NPHS

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• On offer is the opportunity to make a positive impact in an organisation that makes a difference to people's lives
• Contribute to transforming the future of health in this Principal Advisor role

Join Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora at a key time of change where you will meaningfully contribute to our kaupapa of creating a more equitable, accessible, cohesive and people-centred health system. This is mahi that will improve the health and well-being of everyone in Aotearoa, and we've got an opportunity for you to be part of it.

Te whiwhinga mahi | The Opportunity

The National Public Health Service within Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, work towards Pae Ora (healthy futures) for all by engaging with the wider determinants that impact people's health, focusing on oranga/wellbeing, prevention, protection and population-level intervention. We are connected across boundaries to deliver public health services that are nationally planned, regionally delivered and locally tailored.

We have the opportunity available to join our team as a Principal Advisor – Communicable Disease in a permanent, full-time role. This is a senior role within Te Whatu Ora/Health NZ, with strong subject matter expertise, writing and relationship skills and experienced in leading a portfolio of work. The primary purpose of this role is to support the Communicable Disease team to enable the delivery of NPHS strategic agenda working toward Pae Ora (Healthy Futures through the provision of specialist advice and the development of effective processes and for leading a programme of continuous improvement activities.

The National Public Health Service's Health Protection services are effective in preventing and controlling health protection risks and hazards, achieve equity; are responsive to the needs of community and whānau and are delivered in partnership with Iwi and Māori communities by a Tiriti dynamic and culturally responsive workforce.

Mōu | About you

We are looking for a dynamic and proactive individual to provide leadership, oversight, and direction on key pieces of work and to ensure the delivery of quality advice in areas of expertise in the area of Communicable Disease Management. Ideally you will have experience in the support of maintaining national guidelines for public health professionals, experience in supporting outbreak response management strategy, and the ability to apply identified strategies in support of Communicable Disease management.  The Principal Advisor, Communicable Disease will have strong communication skills, an understanding of, and ability to, select, adapt, use and apply a range of frameworks, principles, tools and methods and use their previous experience to provide advice and guidance to others.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

• Tertiary qualification in a communicable diseases or relevant health field and/or equivalent experience
• Leadership experience with an ability to provide oversight, guidance and support to the team
• Knowledge of the New Zealand health system, risk management, and management in complex environments
• Thorough understanding of health protection legislation and regulation as appropriate to the area of work
• Able to draw on relevant longer-term experience specific to the job and work demands, acquired over time
• Experience in an advisory role, applying critical thinking and using sound judgement to develop options and provide advice

Ka kawea e koe | You will bring:

• A commitment to being a good Te Tiriti partner in all your actions. This includes an understanding of the significance of and obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and the ability to apply Te Tiriti principles in a meaningful way in this role.
• Competency with te ao Māori, tikanga, and te reo Māori or a commitment to starting your journey and taking ownership of your learning and growth.

Ko te mahi e tika ana mō te ao hurihuri nei | Work that suits today's ever - changing world

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora supports flexible and hybrid working for our kaimahi. In roles that don't require an in-person element, we encourage you to ‘work from where you are.' We want our national teams to be made up of diverse people from across the motu, just like our health system.

Tō mātou whakahaere ki te tika, te rerekētanga, me te whai wāhi mai |Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

Our name, Te Whatu Ora, means ‘the weaving of wellness'. Whatu is the combining together of people, resources, organisations, thoughts and actions for the betterment and wellbeing of all. Whatu is also a direct reference to the pupil of the eye, and the vision required of the new entity and system.

At Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora we acknowledge and respect our people's diversity and spiritual needs, ensuring a safe workplace that is a whānau orientated and supportive environment. We are working towards a system that better meets the complex demands of a growing population, addresses the persistent inequalities experienced by Māori and ensures greater access, experience and outcomes for those traditionally not well served by the system – Māori, Pacific and Disabled People.

 Tō tūranga i roto i Te Whatu Ora | Your place in Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora

When you join us, you become part of transforming the health system. This is a once in a life-time change, that will touch the lives of everyone in Aotearoa, and future generations. We want to see the real you in your application and welcome the real you on board if you come and work with us. Skills are gained across many areas of our life, not just in formal employment. If you can demonstrate the skills listed in the ad, but the experience was gained through whānau life, community or mahi aroha (volunteering) we encourage you to apply and share your story with us in your cover letter.

We particularly welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

To view the position description and/or apply for the role (by submitting your cover letter and CV), please click “APPLY NOW.”  For tracking and reporting purposes, all applications must be submitted through our online career portal. If you have any questions about the role, please feel free to contact Elismha Lubbe Elismha.Lubbe@tewhatuora.govt.nz