Job Description
Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role
- Permanent opportunity
- Wellington based
Ko wai mātou | About Us:
Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People has a unique mandate of having responsibility to steward change across Government, while commissioning disability support services, as well as transforming how these services are delivered.
Disabled people expect to have greater choice and control over the supports and services they receive to lead their best life. We are committed to this by strengthening relationships and working in partnership with disabled people, tāngata whaikaha Māori, Pacific disabled people and their whānau.
Whaikaha presents an exciting opportunity to make a real difference. The call for “Nothing about us, without us” is an integral part of our operation.
Mō te tūnga | About the role:
As Director of the Outreach Team, you will develop and strengthen partnerships with Deaf and disabled people and their organisations, including tāngata whaikaha Māori groups.
Your team will collect and share the voices of disabled people about the lives they want and the barriers they face.
You will also help drive government action on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and promote the Enabling Good Lives approach.
You will take the lead in cross-government relationships supporting in their engagement approach with the disability community, ensuring a coordinated and effective response.
Key responsibilities include:
- Build and maintain strong relationships with disabled communities and their representative organisations.
- Provide leadership and strategic direction to your team.
- Ensure Whaikaha understands the needs and perspectives of the people we serve.
- Guide government agencies on how to work better with disabled people.
- Write and implement Whaikaha's engagement strategy to ensure meaningful connections and collaboration.
- Develop Whaikaha's approach to relationships, ensuring consistent and effective engagement.
- Represent Whaikaha in meetings with government, businesses, and stakeholders.
- Develop and support a high-performing, inclusive team.
- Ensure Whaikaha meets its commitments under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
You will have strong knowledge of effective engagement strategies and best practices.
Your previous experience leading people and teams, including in voluntary or community settings will set you up for success in this role.
You will have strong relationship management skills with the ability to build trust and partnerships with a wide range of groups.
You will have proven experience developing structured engagement strategies to prioritise key relationships.
You will have experience influencing and collaborating across government agencies and will have established cross-government relationships and experience driving system-wide change.
Your ability to work in fast-changing environments with multiple priorities will see you thrive in this role.
To undertake this role successfully you will either be a disabled person, or you will be able to establish credibility and trust with the disability community.
He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga | Position Description:
The job description can be found here: Director Outreach Position Description
Salary range: $175,102.00 - $258,401.00
Joining Whaikaha means being part of a whānau that celebrates the diversity that each individual brings. Currently, just over 40% of our people identify as disabled people and we want this number to grow. We care about the wellbeing and success of our people and provide a supportive and inclusive working environment where people can thrive and be who they really are. We are committed to the application of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in all levels of our work.
Me He Pātai Anō | Further Enquiries:
We encourage you to talk to us about any support you need. We want you to present this information in a way that plays to your strengths. For example, you may prefer to use video instead of traditional CV and cover letter. You might want whānau or a friend to tell us about you or use social media or a PowerPoint presentation. Let's kōrero about what you need to feel supported in your application.
Contact us about the best way for you to apply by emailing us at:
PeopleandCulture@whaikaha.govt.nz
Te Tono | Application:
Please click the 'Apply' button to submit your application.
If you work for Whaikaha - Please apply through the myHR portal. You can do this by clicking the ‘Apply' button to complete the online application form and upload your CV and cover letter.
This will ensure that your employee profile is visible as an internal candidate.
Ka Kati Ngā Tono | Applications Close: Sunday 11th May, 2025.
Whaikaha has adopted the Ministry of Social Development's (host agency) COVID-19 vaccination policy. This policy applies to all Whaikaha employees and encourages, but does not require, employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and its variants, unless the role is identified as requiring vaccination at the time.