Senior Advisor, Continuous Improvement

Senior Advisor, Continuous Improvement

Type: Permanent

Location: Wellington


Every emergency holds powerful lessons. Your job is to make sure we don't miss them.

We're looking for a proactive, collaborative Senior Advisor to join our Continuous Improvement team. You'll help ensure that what we learn from real-world events and exercises leads to lasting, meaningful improvements in how we prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies.

In this role you will plan and lead after-action reviews, analyse complex information, and engage with diverse stakeholders to support continuous improvement across the emergency management system.

Ko wai m tou | About us

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) provides national leadership to New Zealand's distributed emergency management system. NEMA's primary focus is on the performance and capability of the emergency management system as a whole, across all hazards and all risks and the 4 Rs of risk reduction, readiness, response and recovery.

NEMA values diversity and inclusion. We want our workforce to reflect the diversity of our communities. We value and respect the contributions of our people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, skills and perspectives. We support flexible ways of working that bring out the best in you.

We are committed to doing our part to deliver on the Crown's commitments to M ori under Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We strive to actively build te Ao M ori perspectives and capability into our day to day work, values and practices.

Mo tenei turanga mahi | About this role

In this role you will:

Be accountable for developing, maintaining and evaluating continuous improvement frameworks and supporting doctrine, guidance, tools and training with a range of stakeholders.
Design and deliver lessons management processes including the analytical and information management components to support their transition into strategic and operational improvements.
Promote a culture of continuous improvement and learning.
The position sits within the Continuous Improvement Unit, whose purpose is to lead and support the identification, design and implementation of strategies that will contribute to embedding a learning culture across the emergency management system in New Zealand. This includes the provision of advice and support for data driven process improvement initiatives that inform and improve strategic and operational planning, capacity and capability. The unit also coordinates all servicing or information requests relating to external reviews and inquiries

As NEMA is an operational agency, there may be a requirement to respond to emergency activations in the event of a national emergency response. This may include potentially long hours and challenging working conditions, e.g. an emergency could occur at any time of the day or night and may require working shifts and/or working weekends. NEMA provides thorough training prior to you being required to assist in a response. NEMA will do all in its power to support staff in meeting their work and family responsibilities during an emergency. The welfare and wellbeing of our staff is of utmost importance.

Your response role will be in the Continuous Improvement subfunction.


Due to the nature of our role in Emergency Management, NEMA has a very dynamic work environment and as a small agency, staff are often required to pivot and change focus on their work at short notice. Attributes of adaptability, agility, resilience and curiosity are all required on a daily basis, in and out of times of emergency response.


Ko wai koe | About you

We are looking for a candidate with the following attributes:

Flexibility of approach/thinking, able to adapt in constantly changing circumstances.
Comfortable facilitating a collaborative work environment, with a constant eye on completing the objective and goals of the business unit.
An ability to deliver high quality outputs under pressure.
The discretion and tact to handle confidential and private information.
High level of judgement with the ability to make effective decisions in complex situations.
Huanga Whaiaro | Key requirements

Proven experience and knowledge in lessons management and/or continuous improvement - ideally in an emergency management, public sector, or high-pressure operational environment.
Strong facilitation skills, with experience leading debriefs and post-event reviews across diverse stakeholder groups.
Analytical skills to identify systemic issues, draw insights, and develop evidence-based recommendations.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust and work collaboratively across organisations.
Be a strong communicator, able to confidently communicate data and insights in written form to non-technical audiences.
Sound technical acumen, particularly IT and communication systems.
Ta matou e tuku | What we offer

We pride ourselves on the quality of our staff and understand the importance of fostering a working environment where excellence is recognised and where staff are encouraged to develop their own talents and potential. We welcome diversity, in all its forms and we believe it is a strength.

NEMA values staff health, safety and wellbeing, and a positive work life balance is encouraged.

The indicative salary range for this role is $10+,621 - $11+,701 including Kiwisaver employer contributions. NEMA also offers departmental leave, discounts on Health Insurance and an annual Wellbeing Allowance.

Whakaritenga Haumaru | Security Requirements

Due to the security requirements of this role, applicants must be a New Zealand citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident.

Me pehea te tono | How to apply

Please select 'Apply' to download a position description or apply. If you have any questions, contact us at NEMATalent@nema.govt.nz. We do not accept unsolicited approaches from agencies or 3rd parties.

Applications close 5pm Sunday 25th May 2025.

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