The Human Resources Institute of New Zealand

Principal Advisor, Organisational Development

Description of Organisation

The New Zealand Fire Service (NZFS) is comprised of five regions with around 400 stations, and 9,000 volunteer and paid firefighters spread throughout the country. As well as responding to a wide range of emergency situations, the NZFS is focussed on fire safety and prevention in NZ communities.
The National Headquarters is a single management and service group representing a range of specialist management disciplines providing expert advice and services to internal and external customers and stakeholders.

Description of Position

This is your opportunity to really make your mark, by providing your significant organisational development expertise within a complex and high profile organisation.

You will join a team of highly dedicated specialists in the delivery of a substantial work programme spanning a broad range of HR and OD functional areas. We are part way through the implementation of our People Strategy, which sets out our desired people management environment, and how we plan to go about achieving it. We are looking for someone keen for the challenge of helping make that vision a reality.

In previous roles you will have demonstrated your ability to develop and implement first class OD initiatives. You will be innovative, possess excellent influencing skills and be regarded as an expert OD practitioner with a passion to ensure what you do provides an enduring positive impact on the people management environment in the New Zealand Fire Service.

Reporting to the Manager, Organisational Development and Remuneration, you’ll have a lead role in the development and implementation of new initiatives, programmes and policies in the areas of leadership development, organisational design, capability development, attraction and retention, workforce planning, remuneration, performance improvement, succession planning, and talent management, for both our career workforce and volunteers.

To obtain an application pack, please contact Rebecca Wells (email: rebecca.wells@fire.org.nz, phone 04 496 3736). Applications close on Monday 12 November, 2012, and should be sent to Rebecca Wells using the email address above, or by post to Rebecca Wells, New Zealand Fire Service, PO Box 2133, Wellington.

For further information please contact Ruth McKenzie on 04 496 3739 or ruth.mckenzie@fire.org.nz.

Key Areas of Responsibility

To provide organisational expertise across the full range of organisational development disciplines. Responsible for the design and development of organisational development programmes and initiatives aligned to the People Strategy aimed at building overall organisational capability, desired culture and performance which support and contribute to the achievement of NZFS's strategic goals.

Key areas of focus include:
• Workforce planning
• Organisational design
• Capability development
• Leadership development
• Change management
• Succession planning and talent development
• Employee engagement
• Volunteer sustainability
• Diversity

Technical Competencies

• At least 5 years experience in a broadly focused organisational development role in a medium to large complex organisation or extensive OD related consultancy experience
• Proven track record in the design and implementation of a broad range of organisational development programmes focused on enhancing organisational performance
• Proven track record in organisational change management
• Extensive knowledge of best practice organisational development methodologies
• Sound knowledge and experience of HR strategic planning and policy development
• Well developed ability to critically analyse and interpret complex information and make effective, well-reasoned decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to convey information and ideas clearly and accurately, in a way that meets the needs of the audience
• Demonstrated experience in the management of significant projects, and the ability to manage the delivery of large programmes of work within timeframes and to required quality standards
• Proactive and effective management of internal and external relationships, using influencing and persuading techniques to build confidence

Educational Qualification

• A relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent experience