Senior Policy and Stakeholder Engagement Advisor - Scion

• Does your passion for advocacy and supporting change, combined with a strong political / government relations background, drive your career aspirations?
• Do you thrive on stakeholder engagement and developing relationships towards having a positive influence and impact for others?
• Is your ideal work environment a unique and dynamic organisation that's committed to building a prosperous and sustainable low-carbon future for Aotearoa New Zealand?

If yes is your answer, then the Senior Policy and Stakeholder Engagement Advisor position at Scion may be just for you. Reporting to the Strategic Relationships Director, you will be responsible for managing Scion's engagement with regards to government, science, innovation, and bioeconomy policy that support Scion's Strategy to 2030. Working closely with the Strategic Relationships Director, you will support strategic engagement with key stakeholders that advance Scion's overall objectives.

Our ideal candidate will be based in Wellington; however we are open to discussing other options.

Key accountabilities:

• Collaborate with the Strategic Relationships Director in building and leveraging networks and connections between Scion staff, strategies, projects and programmes, and government stakeholders.
• Uphold an understanding of key government policy and strategy relevant to Scion's purpose as a Crown Research Institute (CRI).
• Cultivate and nurture relationships with key internal personnel and maintain an understanding of Scion's strategy, capabilities, and research programmes.

We seek a professional who has:

• Post-graduate science qualification useful, or equivalent experience in science/environment/climate change policy.
• Demonstrated experience in government policy and/or New Zealand Science system.
• Demonstrated experience implementing stakeholder engagement strategy/management.
• Demonstrated experience engaging with and supporting iwi/hapū.
• Experience and networks in the Government & NZ Science ecosystem.
• Strong understanding of government mechanisms.
• An awareness of forestry and the workings of Crown Research Institutions and other NZ Public Research Organisations.
• Ability to work with short turnaround times with flexible thinking with a focus on outcomes.
• Strong interpersonal and communicative skills.
• Strong relationship development skills.
• Ability to engage and influence others to achieve outcomes.
• Ability to drive collaboration across teams and traditional boundaries to share ideas and great outcomes.
• Science acumen and strategic delivery skills.

Scion specialises in research, science and technology development for the forestry industry, wood products and wood-derived materials and other biomaterials. Specialists in propagation and forest management, we lead new technology development for renewables, bioproducts and energy and the establishment of a broader based circular bio-economy.

Come and join us!

Applications close on 9 August 2022.

If you have an interest in this role, please ensure you apply promptly, owing to the urgency to make an appointment for this role, we may begin interviews during the advertising period.