Title:Manager Operational Policy and Support

Group:Policy, Investment and Evidence

Reports to:General Manager Policy

Location:National Office, Wellington

Direct Reports:20

Budget:Yes

OUR ORGANISATION

About us / Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children is dedicated to supporting any child in New Zealand whose wellbeing is at significant risk of harm now, or in the future. We also work with young people who may have offended, or are likely to offend. Our belief is that in the right environment, with the right people surrounding and nurturing them, any child can, and should flourish.
Our vision / Our vision is: New Zealand values the wellbeing of tamariki above all else.
Our purpose / Our purpose is: To ensure that all tamariki are in loving whānau and communities where orangatamariki can be realised.
The Oranga Tamariki way / We’re introducing a new way of doing things. A way of looking at the world that guides everything we do:

Our core outcomes / Our core outcomes are:
-All children and young people are in loving families and communities where they can be safe, strong, connected, and able to flourish
-Improved outcomes for all children, especially tamariki and rangatahi Māori.

POSITION PURPOSE

The Operational Policy and Support team provides a key link between our operations and the high level policies and legislation that guide us. In order to achieve our desired outcomes for children and young people, our operational groups need effective operational policies, underpinned by clear and high quality operational guidance. Our policies, legislation and new initiatives need to reflect and support effective frontline operations.
The purpose of this role is to lead the team to deliver excellent operational policy and to support the organisation in its implementation. The manager works with operational managers and other managers within the Policy, Investment and Evidence Group, and across the organisation to develop the work programme, and ensure it reflects organisational priorities.
The manager ensures the team provides a consistently high standard of analysis and advice and that the guidance it produces and its implementation activities are effective and fit for purpose. The manager also creates and maintains external relationships at a national level as needed to support effective operational policy and guidance.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Key Result area / Key Accountabilities
Direction setting / -Work with General Manager Policy and senior managers across the organisation to develop a medium and long term work programme for the Operational Policy and Support function
-Establish governance and engagement processes to ensure the work programme remains aligned to Oranga Tamariki strategic direction and the organisation’s changing needs and priorities
-Provide excellent analysis and advice in the development of new policies and proposals to ensure operational impacts and resource implications are understood and responded to in new policies, operational policies and guidance
-Assist in the development of bids and business cases that impact on operational policies and processes, including analysing resource and timing implications.
Leadership / -Lead the Operational Policy and Support team to deliver the work programme
-Establish and maintain effective quality management processes for the team
-Actively identify and manage risks, keeping General Manager informed of critical risks and issues and strategies to mitigate them
-Monitorthe outcome of operational policies and identify opportunities for improving processes and practices
-Lead and manage relationships with other government agencies, NGOs and key stakeholders to ensure effective engagement in the Operational Policy and Support work programme.
Work effectively within Oranga Tamariki / -Identify key stakeholders within Oranga Tamariki and develop and maintain strong and effective relationships
-Proactively manage the interface between the Operational Policy and Support team and the business
-Ensure the team’s work is integrated within the organisation and inter-dependencies are identified and managed
-Align operational policy and guidance to the focus and timing of other initiatives
-Work closely with the business to ensure operational policies and guidance are implemented effectively and achieve the outcomes sought
-Ensure the team works well with other parts of the organisation to engage stakeholders effectively,including children and young people.
Contribute to group management / -Manage and report on team finances, budgets (including variances) and resources
-Contribute to the management of the Policy unit and provide advice and support to the General Manager Policy as needed
People development / -Create a performance and development culture within the team
-Ensure training and development needs are identified and addressed so overall levels of capability continuously improve
-Ensure staff are aware of performance expectations, and receive regular feedback, coaching and performance assessments
-Ensure high levels of staff motivation focused on individual and team performance goals and service standards
-Manage the structure of the team including the selection and recruitment of direct reports, and the determination of responsibilities and performance standards
-Ensure compliance with human resources policies and practices
-Ensure the early and successful resolution of disputes, grievances or non-performance issues.
Risk management / -Actively identify and manage risks, including risks to organisational reputation
-Keep the General Manager informed of critical risks and issues and strategies to mitigate them
-Ensure analysis, data and information supplied is accurate and verified.
Being part of the Oranga Tamariki team / -Actively and positively participate as a member of the team
-Actively seek opportunities to improve Oranga Tamariki operations
-Perform any other duties as needed
-Comply with and support all health and safety policies, guidelines and initiatives
-Ensure all incidents, injuries and near misses are reported Comply with all legislative and regulatory requirements, and report any breaches as soon as they become known
-Adhere to all procedures, policies, guidelines, and standards of integrity and conduct
-Incorporatecommitment to the Treaty of Waitangi into your work.
KEY RELATIONSHIPS
Key internal partners / -General Manager Policy
-Programme Management Office
-General and Regional managers and managers in Oranga Tamariki operational groups and in the Office of the Chief Social Worker
-General managers and managers in the Tamariki Advocate group, including Service Design and Voices of Children and Young People
-Other managers and staff across Oranga Tamariki.
Key external partners / -Other government and non-government agencies
-Oranga Tamariki service providers
-Office of the Children’s Commissioner
-Iwi
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Qualifications / -A tertiary qualification in a relevant field
-A clean, current driver’s licence is essential.
Experience / -Demonstrated experience in leading high performing teams
-Experience in the development of national strategies and policies
-Experience in implementing new legislation or policy initiatives
Knowledge and skills / -Commitment to positive outcomes for children, young people and their families
-Excellent analytical and verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills
-Highly developed organisational and planning skills: ability to prioritise and delegate effectively and to manage competing priorities and deadlines
-Ability to communicate complex ideas to a variety of audiences and build and maintain rapport with others
-Understanding and appreciation of cross cultural issues and concerns, in particular, knowledge of tikanga Māori, and Pacific peoples’ cultures
-Proven success in developing and maintaining stakeholder relationships
-Demonstrated ability to create and work in collaborative peer relationships
-An understanding of the legislation, policy, procedures, and literature relating to clients of Oranga Tamariki
-Thorough working knowledge of the machinery of government
-Understanding of the governance and public sector context for Oranga Tamariki
-Ability to focus on strategic issues.

Position Description – Manager Operational Policy and Support - OT Jan 20181