Team Leader, Trade Remedies
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Tēnei tūranga – About the role
The Team Leader, Trade Remedies is a leadership position in the Trade and Supply Chains Team of MBIE. The position is responsible for the management and oversight of the Trade Remedies team’s work investigating allegations of unfair international trade in the form of imported goods, which have been dumped by foreign exporters or subsidised by foreign governments. The role is one of two team leadership positions and supports the Manager with oversight and strategic direction of the wider Trade and Supply Chains team.
The Team Leader will be responsible for the overall delivery of each Trade Remedies investigation, drawing on the skills and capabilities within the team to ensure sound advice is provided to the Minister and that MBIE’s statutory obligations are adhered to. The role involves the management of up to five staff who have a mix of skill sets (accounting, economics, law, project management), which are drawn on to complete each investigation. The role will have a strong focus on the continuous development of the team’s capability.
The Trade Remedies system is one of MBIE’s 18 regulatory systems and the Team Leader will be responsible for the stewardship of the system, helping ensure appropriate risk management and governance arrangements for Trade Remedies are maintained. This will also involve primary responsibility for shaping Trade Remedies policy and exploring the development of new tools and approaches to assist in the delivery of the team’s work. The trade remedies system has evolved in recent years in response to the Government’s broader economic interests, and there is ongoing scope to innovate in how the team delivers its work.
The role also leads the team’s engagement with a range of stakeholders, including industry (both domestic and foreign), other government agencies, foreign governments and international organisations.
Ngā herenga – Requirements of the role
Personal specifications
- Effectively lead and manage a team where people are motivated to do their best to help ensure the effective delivery of trade remedies investigations, and overall stewardship of the system.
- Enhance the team’s performance through mentoring and developing the capability of others.
- Making effective decisions, even in the absence of complete information helping maintain the momentum of the team’s work and adherence to our statutory timelines.
- Communicates with clarity and conviction, and can influence senior management, ministers and external stakeholders (both domestic and foreign).
- Previous experience in one or more of the following areas would be an asset but not essential: trade remedies; investigative work drawing on accounting, policy development and analysis, economic and legal frameworks; and experience of working in a regulatory environment.
- Familiarity and comfort working with quantitative analytical frameworks. Advanced quantitative skills are not required, but comfort interpreting businesses’ financial information would be an advantage.
- Experience of working in central government and the machinery of government. Understands the strategic context and current priorities; is able to see issues in the wider context and applies foresight and judgement to identify what is important for the team’s work in the medium and long term.
- The ability to oversee a team where work can at times be fast-paced and time-pressured.
- A tertiary qualification, preferably in accounting, law, economics or a related discipline.
- Ability to gain the legal right to live and work in New Zealand.
- Ability to gain and maintain a national security clearance.
Takohanga tuhinga o mua – Key accountabilities and deliverables
Providing strategic direction to the Trade Remedies system
- Ensures the timely delivery of trade remedies investigations to a high-standard and which reflect our domestic legislation and international trade obligations (eg the World Trade Organisation and our Free Trade Agreements).
- Along with the Manager, Trade and Supply Chains act as the steward of the Trade Remedies system in identifying risks and opportunities, both to the delivery of investigations and the overall capability of the team. This will also involve considering what further governance arrangements may be necessary to help manage risks to the system.
- Works closely with other parts of MBIE and government to ensure the team utilise the experience and knowledge of others to help deliver investigations and enhance team capability.
- Ensures quality control processes are adhered to and leverage internal resources to help achieve that.
- During busy periods, you have an ability to balance your leadership of the team with providing direct support on aspects of the team’s work. This may include quantitative analysis, verification of companies’ financial information, report writing, and working with MBIE legal.
- Are able to represent New Zealand in internationally, and supports the team’s engagement in international negotiations on trade remedies matters, such as the recently negotiated FTAs with the UK and the EU.
- Ensures the team remains abreast of domestic and international developments that may influence and shape the team’s work.
Team Leadership and General Management
- Build and maintain a high-performing team that is capable of developing and delivering high-quality advice on Trade Remedies investigations, policy settings and international negotiations as they relate to Trade Remedies.
- Establishes clear accountabilities, expectations and performance standards with direct reports and ensures regular performance management and development occurs.
- Anticipates future capability needs in the team, identifies gaps in capability and addresses these gaps through targeted recruitment and development or other actions.
- Coaches, mentors and develops staff to meet the needs of the team now and in the future.
Relationship Management
- Manage constructive working relationships with work colleagues and external stakeholders to enhance understanding of the Trade Remedies system and secure the cooperation needed to achieve desired results.
- Participates as an active member of the leadership team for the wider Trade and Supply Chains team. Contributes knowledge and expertise needed to deliver the wider team’s work and help ensure a strong and supportive team culture.
- Develops effective working relationships with other parts of MBIE, including at senior levels in order to leverage expertise to support the system.
- Represents whole-of-Ministry views and protects its reputation in external interactions.
- Builds constructive relationships with key stakeholders, including when that involves delivering difficult messages. Ensures stakeholders are aware of MBIE’s statutory obligations and the independence of the system in delivering its investigations.
- Builds and maintains effective relationships and partnerships with national and international organisations to identify and share best practice information and to promote the Ministry.
Wellbeing, health & safety
- Displays commitment through actively supporting all safety and wellbeing initiatives.
- Ensures own and others safety at all times.
- Complies with relevant safety and wellbeing policies, procedures, safe systems of work and event reporting.
Reports all incidents/accidents, including near misses in a timely fashion.- Is involved in health and safety through participation and consultation.
Tō tūranga i roto i te Manatū – Your place in the Ministry
The Team Leader, Trade Remedies position reports into the Manager Trade and Supply Chains within the Communications, Infrastructure and Trade branch. The branch sits within the Building, Resources and Markets group.
Matatautanga – Competencies (Leadership Success Profile)
The Leadership Success Profile (LSP) is a leadership capability framework, developed by the New Zealand public sector for the New Zealand public sector. It creates a common language for leadership and establishes what great leadership looks like. You can look at the twelve underpinning capabilities and four leadership characters here: Leadership Success Profile | Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission(external link)
To mātou aronga – What we do for Aotearoa New Zealand
Hīkina Whakatutuki is the te reo Māori name for the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Hīkina means to uplift. Whakatutuki means to move forward, to make successful. Our name speaks to our purpose, Grow Aotearoa New Zealand for All.
To Grow Aotearoa New Zealand for All, we put people at the heart of our mahi. Based on the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi / The Treaty of Waitangi, we are committed to upholding authentic partnerships with Māori.
As agile public service leaders, we use our breadth and experience to navigate the ever-changing world. We are service providers, policy makers, investors and regulators. We engage with diverse communities, businesses and regions. Our work touches on the daily lives of New Zealanders. We grow opportunities (Puāwai), guard and protect (Kaihāpai) and innovate and navigate towards a better future (Auaha).
Te Tiriti o Waitangi
As an agency of the public service, MBIE has a responsibility to contribute to the Crown meeting its obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Te Tiriti). Meeting our commitment to Te Tiriti will contribute towards us realising the overall aims of Te Ara Amiorangi – Our Path, Our Direction, and achieve the outcome of Growing New Zealand for All. The principles of Te Tiriti - including partnership, good faith, and active protection – are at the core of our work. MBIE is committed to delivering on our obligations as a Treaty partner with authenticity and integrity and to enable Māori interests. We are committed to ensuring that MBIE is well placed to meet our obligations under the Public Service Act 2020 (Te Ao Tūmatanui) to support the Crown in strengthening the Māori/Crown Relationship under the Treaty and to build MBIE’s capability, capacity and cultural intelligence to deliver this.
Mahi i roto i te Ratonga Tūmatanui – Working in the public service
Ka mahitahi mātou o te ratonga tūmatanui kia hei painga mō ngā tāngata o Aotearoa i āianei, ā, hei ngā rā ki tua hoki. He kawenga tino whaitake tā mātou hei tautoko i te Karauna i runga i āna hononga ki a ngāi Māori i raro i te Tiriti o Waitangi. Ka tautoko mātou i te kāwanatanga manapori. Ka whakakotahingia mātou e te wairua whakarato ki ō mātou hapori, ā, e arahina ana mātou e ngā mātāpono me ngā tikanga matua o te ratonga tūmatanui i roto i ā mātou mahi.
In the public service we work collectively to make a meaningful difference for New Zealanders now and in the future. We have an important role in supporting the Crown in its relationships with Māori under the Treaty of Waitangi. We support democratic government. We are unified by a spirit of service to our communities and guided by the core principles and values of the public service in our work.
What does it mean to work in Aotearoa New Zealand’s Public Service?(external link) — Te Kawa Mataaho The Public Service Commission
