Senior/Principal Policy/Legal Analysts

							Position Description
 Position:             Executive Assistant to the Chief Commissioner
 Responsible to: Executive Director
 Location:             Wellington
 Salary:               Band B(1)
 Status:               Permanent, full time

Background
The Human Rights Commission is established under the Human Rights Act, 1993 with four
major functions, mandated by changes to the Act in 2001:

    To advocate and promote respect for, and an understanding and appreciation of,
     human rights in New Zealand society;

    To encourage the maintenance and development of harmonious relations between
     individuals and among the diverse groups in New Zealand society;

      To provide information and efficient and effective resolution of disputes;

      To promote equal employment opportunities.

The Commission's annual Statement of Intent sets its direction for the current year. The
strategic goals are derived from its statutory functions and priority actions identified in the
2005-2010 New Zealand Action Plan for Human Rights/Mana ki te Tangata, as well as
recognising the importance of building the capability of the Commission so that it can more
effectively exercise its statutory functions.

The Human Rights Commission is an independent Crown entity that includes the Office of
Human Rights Proceedings. The Crown Entities Act and the Human Rights Act govern the
functioning of the Commission. The Commissioners are the Chief Commissioner and two
other full-time Commissioners - the Race Relations Commissioner and the Equal
Employment Opportunities Commissioner - and up to five part-time Commissioners, one of
whom has a focus on disability rights.




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Position Description

Key Responsibilities
To provide a full range of timely, confidential administrative and executive support,
primarily for the Chief Commissioner by:
      providing effective diary management for the Chief Commissioner, prioritising and
       organising meetings with internal and external stakeholders, in consultation with the
       Chief Commissioner, and the Senior Advisor to the Chief Commissioner and the
       Executive Director
      resolving conflicting demands on the Chief Commissioners time from staff,
       managers, Commissioners and external stakeholders
      servicing meetings of the Commission including provision of efficient secretarial
       services, preparation of agendas and compilation of papers, minute taking and
       related administrative support
      maintain records on behalf of the Chief Commissioner, and for Commission
       meetings
      in conjunction with the Senior Advisor to the Chief Commissioner, sourcing key
       documents for the Chief Commissioner to ensure that all relevant information is
       provided prior to appointments and meetings
      coordinating incoming calls to the Chief Commissioner, in liaison with the Senior
       Advisor, redirecting calls to the appropriate staff member for attention where
       required
      reviewing and recording incoming correspondence and emails for the Chief
       Commissioner , including allocation and redirection to the appropriate officer for
       attention and preparing simple responses
      preparing simple correspondence on behalf of the Chief Commissioner , and
       ensuring that all outgoing correspondence, reports, presentations, submissions and
       briefings submitted by the Chief Commissioner conform to the Commission’s
       presentation, style, format and content protocols
      collecting and disseminating information in a timely and accurate manner on behalf
       of the Chief Commissioner ensuring the highest levels of confidentiality and probity
      organising meetings, workshops, seminars and related forums as required by the
       Chief Commissioner including events and travel coordination in relation to
       international visitors and their visits
      coordinating domestic travel and accommodation for the Chief Commissioner and
       administering international travel for the Commission, ensuring compliance with
       commission policy and practise
      liaise closely with the Senior Advisor to the Chief Commissioner and the Executive
       Assistant to the Executive Director to ensure support is seamless and well-
       coordinated
Person Specification
      experience in the provision of a range of high level Executive Assistant and
       administrative skills required, including proven attention to detail and a systematic
       and organised approach
      experience in supporting the management of board processes including agenda,
       papers and minutes management


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Position Description

         strong relationship management skills and the ability to coordinate and provide
          support to the Chief Commissioner through a number of different people in the
          organisation
         ability to create confidence with internal and external stakeholders to enable them
          to liaise directly with the EA to the Commissioner
         extensive knowledge of Microsoft Word, Outlook and PowerPoint; working
          knowledge of Microsoft Excel
         effective written and oral communication skills
         high level of initiative, discretion and judgement


Core Technical Competencies

         planning and organising, including diary management
         time management to deliver to quality and deadline, and with an ability to manage a
          range of priorities and to juggle priorities as they change
         oral and written communication skills
         interpersonal and relationship building skills
         following instructions, processes and procedures
         deciding and initiating action
         problem solving
         information management and technology, and database management
         ability to maintain confidentiality of information


Core Organisational Competencies:

Achieving Results

        Contributing to a high standard and achieving results.
        Organising, prioritising and planning time and resources be they human, physical or
         financial.
        Identifying or developing options and selecting solutions to problems which occur in
         the role.

Core Knowledge

        Treaty of Waitangi, Te Reo, Tikanga
        Human Rights Commission operations, legislation, race relations, EEO and the
         international framework
        Information and communications technology
        Relevant workplace legislation e.g., Health & Safety, Employment Relations, and
         Crown entities (the ‘good employer’, Code of Conduct, etc)



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Position Description

Leadership

     Working proactively within the context of the HRC’s vision and strategy to
      demonstrate the Commission’s values.
     Using a variety of methods to gain support for ideas, strategies and organisational
      values and vision, both internally and externally.
     Stating own ‘stand’ or position on issues and taking decisions when required.

Self-Management

     Includes self management; self regulation; self-assessment; personal insight into
      own issues and willingness to share this; self-development; composure; managing
      emotions; and work life balance.
     Includes flexibility, comfort with ambiguity; and openness to change.

Thinking and Understanding

     Forming concepts, hypotheses or ideas on the basis of information.
     Gathering, collating, analysing and making decisions about data. Includes agility;
      investigating, probing; evaluating issues and information; identifying and designing
      appropriate methodologies; researching; and questioning assumptions.

Working Effectively With Others

     Involving others and contributing to building co-operative teams and partnerships in
      which group members feel valued, motivated, trusted, empowered and have shared
      goals. Includes consistency of behaviour; tolerance; respect and appreciation of
      and for others; being an active team member; providing leadership and direction for
      the team; and providing coaching within the group.
     Written, oral and electronic communication skills. Includes listening; having an open
      mind; appropriate communication with Tangata Whenua and other groups;
      conveying basic factual information clearly, accurately and appropriately; explaining
      complex or detailed specialist information; giving presentations; facilitation; and use
      of humour in an appropriate manner.
     Excellent service to clients, both internal and external, and service commitment and
      improvement. Includes creating networks of useful contacts; and building an
      external reputation.
     Interpersonal skills and an understanding of relationships and motivation in others.
      Includes empathy; openness; integrity; trust; mutual respect; value of Tangata
      Whenua; value of diversity; sensitivity and appreciation of other cultures and of
      other differences; giving and receiving constructive feedback; conflict recognition
      and resolution; and responsibility for managing relationships.




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Position Description

Human Rights Commission Values

He Wāriu
Hutia te rito o harakeke, kei hea te komako e ko?
Ki mai ki au, He aha te mea nui?
Maku e ki atu, He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.

The Human Rights Commission is committed to promoting and protecting universal human
rights, and will reflect those rights in everything it does.

The Commission seeks to be:
Accessible                       The Commission listens to, hears and respects all
                                 people it comes into contact with. The Commission
                                 is committed to removing barriers to its services.
Relevant                         The Commission works to improve understanding
                                 and enjoyment of universal human rights and
                                 harmonious relations in ways that are meaningful to
                                 New Zealanders and New Zealand communities.
Strategic                        The Commission takes a strategic, evidence-based
                                 approach to carrying out its functions.
Independent                      The Commission ensures that it is independent,
                                 transparent and accountable in carrying out its
                                 functions.
Credible                         The Commission’s reputation and credibility are
                                 built upon its integrity, expertise, professionalism
                                 and the quality of its work.
The Commission:

Values diversity                 The Commission respects the dignity of every
                                 person. It celebrates diversity, difference and open-
                                 mindedness, and recognises the plurality of views
                                 and perspectives held by New Zealanders.

Respects tangata whenua          The Commission values and respects, in its work
                                 and its ways of working, the place of Tangata
                                 Whenua in Aotearoa/New Zealand.

Honours      the   Treaty   of The Commission values and respects, in its work
Waitangi                       and its ways of working, the Treaty of Waitangi as
                               the founding document of the nation.

Works with others                The Commission works in partnership and
                                 cooperation with government, iwi, business and
                                 unions, community organisations and individuals to
                                 achieve shared goals.




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