Principal Researcher
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Tēnei tūranga – About the role
The Principal Researcher is a technical subject matter expert providing people mentorship and research expertise. The Principal Researcher leads and manages their workstreams within Country Research and Open-Source including Protection, Risk and Open-Source Intelligence. These workstreams are responsible for delivering research products to Immigration New Zealand, Data, Insights and Intelligence and wider MBIE.
As well as managing the production of their own strategic research work, the Principal Researcher brings and uses their experience to coach and mentor others in the team, and working with the Manager, drive quality assurance, continuous improvement and building strong relationships across MBIE, New Zealand and Internationally.
This role may be required to lead and/or participate in specific projects.
Ngā herenga – Requirements of the role
Personal specifications
- Demonstrated experience in a library or research unit or research agency.
- Proven experience in leading, coaching and mentoring, and able to take the lead on projects.
- An excellent knowledge and understanding of country-of-origin research and/or open-source intelligence best practice.
- Proven knowledge of international current affairs or human rights issues or other disciplines relevant to this role including media and communications, political sciences, organisation, and management of information.
- Ability to quickly assimilate complex information making it relatable and impactful for customers.
- Highly developed communication and presentation skills.
- Able to build and maintain strong working relationships.
- A very high level of information literacy and professionalism.
- Committed to delivering high quality customer service and confidentiality.
- Understands MBIE and where the team fits in delivering the outcomes for the Ministry.
- A degree and post-graduate (NZQA approved) professional library qualification, or a post-graduate qualification in social sciences, human rights or development studies.
- The ability to gain and maintain a national security clearance to level “Top Secret” if required.
- Police vetting required.
- Must be a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident.
Takohanga tuhinga o mua – Key accountabilities and deliverables
Responsibilities of this position are expected to change over time as the Ministry responds to changing needs. The incumbent will need the flexibility to adapt and develop as the environment evolves.
Delivery of quality solutions that contribute to the goals of the Ministry
- In collaboration with the Manager, lead the teams to deliver timely and quality research products and services to inform decision makers and external stakeholders.
- Provide technical leadership of research tools and techniques, oversee workflow across the Country Research and Open-Source team.
- Provides oversight and undertakes delivery of more complex, specialised research products as required.
- Actively support the Country Research and Open-Source team, and Intelligence leaders to build the overall capability of the team to ensure quality and consistent research delivery.
- Provides oversight and delivery of more complex, specialised research products.
- Actively mentor and coach Senior/Researchers as part of the broader technical capability development and culture of sharing expertise.
- Drives continuous improvement of the Open-Source and Research practice.
- Identifies, develop and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) relating to all aspects of the Research process, in conjunction with Leads, Seniors and Manager.
- In conjunction with the Manager, leads the assurance processes to the Intelligence Leadership team that Research products meet best practice and standards.
Relationship management
- Participates as an active team member and contributes knowledge and expertise needed to achieve MBIE’s outcomes.
- Develops effective working relationships with other MBIE managers and staff in order to transfer knowledge and learning from the team to the wider organisation.
- Builds and maintains effective relationships and partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, as necessary, in order to identify and share best practice information and to promote the Ministry, its products and services.
- Represents whole-of-Ministry views and protects its reputation in any external interactions.
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 Principal Researcher position reports into a Manager, Intelligence within the Data, Insights & Intelligence branch, within the Corporate and Digital Shared Services group.
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).
Ngā matatau – Our competencies
Cultivates innovation We create new and better ways for the organisation to be successful by challenging the status quo generating new and creative ideas and translating them into workable solutions.
Nimble learning We are curious and actively learn through experimentation when tackling new problems by learning as we go when facing new situations and challenges.
Customer focus We build strong customer relationships and deliver customer-centric solutions by listening and gaining insights into the needs of the communities we serve and actively seeking and responding to feedback.
Decision quality We make quality and timely decisions that shape the future for our communities and keep the organisation moving forward by relying on an appropriate mix of analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgement to make valid and reliable decisions.
Action oriented We step up, taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with purpose, urgency and discipline by taking responsibility, ownership and action on challenges, and being accountable for the results.
Collaborates We connect, working together to build partnerships with our communities, working collaboratively to meet shared objectives by gaining trust and support of others; actively seeking the views, experiences, and opinions of others and by working co-operatively with others across MBIE, the public sector and external stakeholder groups.
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
