Pacific Community and Cultural Engagement Advisor

• Join Aotearoa New Zealand's university of opportunity
• Coordinate Pacific community engagement initiatives and events, strengthening AUT's unique role in the Pacific space at AUT and beyond
• Full-time, permanent role - flexible locations across AUT campuses

As a university of technology and opportunity, AUT makes a positive and lasting contribution to Aotearoa New Zealand, the Pacific, and the world. It's Office of Pacific Advancement leads a collective commitment to the wellbeing and success of Pacific communities at AUT and beyond. Our programmes and initiatives span the student and staff experience; academic research development, impact and engagement; advocacy, and community-based collaborations and partnerships. AUT is the university with the largest proportion of Pacific students relative to its total student population in Aotearoa New Zealand, and we realise strategic initiatives of importance to Pacific communities locally and globally through education, research, professional training, academic opportunities, and partnerships.

AUT recognises and respects the importance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its centrality to the mission and work of the University. The Office of Pacific Advancement necessarily recognises continuous ancestral connections to this region, the tino rangatiratanga of tangata whenua, and the shared oceanic ties which are unique to Moana peoples' position as tauiwi. 

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity 

The Pacific Community and Cultural Engagement Advisor coordinates the co-design, delivery and evaluation of projects, initiatives and events aimed at fostering Pacific student, staff, and community involvement and engagement for the Office of Pacific Advancement (OPA).

As a key role within our newly established Community Engagement and Partnerships team, you will be responsible for the operational coordination of the team's mahi, supported by the strategic leadership of our Community Engagement and Partnerships Senior Manager, and collaborating closely with the wider OPA team and our stakeholders. This includes contributing to the co-design and implementation of Pacific community engagement and partnerships plans to nurture meaningful engagement and collaboration with Pacific communities and stakeholders, and grow AUT's leadership in Pacific policy, research and advocacy in Aotearoa and the wider Pacific region. This involves project coordination of the design, delivery and promotion of an annual programme of community and cultural events, including Pacific Language Weeks, to drive engagement and the visibility of Pacific at AUT. You will develop and maintain project plans, manage events, support the development of marketing and communications plans, source required resources and track initiative expenses, as well as operationalizing reporting and evaluation frameworks to measure the impact of our activities. 

Relationship management is a critical aspect of the role, and you'll advise AUT departments about a wide range of opportunities and connections and support them to initiate and maintain relationships with Pacific communities, including, but not limited to; connecting AUT programmes and services to specific community needs; connecting AUT with research and programme partners; and seeking opportunities to position AUT as the university of choice for Pacific communities.

You'll need to possess a genuine service-leadership mindset with strong end-to-end project coordination skills, and the ability to develop and nurture collaborative relationships grounded in Pacific values. Equally as critical is an authentic, collegial and positive approach to mahi which values diversity, working inclusively and embodies trustworthiness, confidence and kindness. You'll be a highly collaborative and passionate about driving positive change in partnership with Pacific peoples; whilst enabling ideas, innovation and proactivity to make things happen.

He kōrero mōu | About you 

To be successful in this rewarding role, you will hold a heartfelt commitment to strengths-based approaches to enabling Pacific peoples' wellbeing and success. 

You will also have: 

• Existing extensive relationships within Pacific communities, and knowledge of Pacific values and ways of knowing and being. The ability to operate effectively and respectfully in Pacific cultural contexts is critical.
• At least 3 years' experience in a relevant sector (e.g. education, social services, community development, communications, marketing etc.) developing and managing effective and mutually beneficial Pacific stakeholder relationships, both internally at multiple levels and with external bodies and the wider community.
• Demonstrable track record in the end-to-end project coordination of Pacific related strategy, plans, programmes, events and/or initiatives, from initiation through to completion, including evaluation and reporting.
• Sound communication skills and the ability to write, present and communicate persuasively and effectively to a range of people for various contexts.
• Creative and lateral thinking with an innovative, "can‐do" attitude, a high degree of integrity, self‐motivation - a trusted collaborator.
• Applicants must also have a relevant tertiary degree, preferably at postgraduate level.

Please see the detailed position description for more information on key job accountabilities. 

Along with your CV, please submit a cover letter which explains a) why this particular role (and AUT) is of interest, and also b) how your experience aligns with the key experience and attributes we're seeking above.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What we offer 

AUT has fantastic staff benefits including free study, a personal fund for your continued professional development, free membership to AUT gyms, and generous leave allowances. 

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply 

To apply for this position please click "Apply Now" below to be redirected to our careers site. You can also visit http://careers.aut.ac.nz to see our other vacancies. 

Please note that although you will be based primarily at two campuses (Waihorotiu City Campus and Manukau South Campus), your work may take you to all three campuses as required (including Akoranga North Shore Campus), aligned with engagement initiatives and events. 

You must be eligible to work in NZ to be considered. 

Salary Range:  $70,000 - $96,000 (dependent on experience and qualifications) 

Reference: 90652

Closing Date: 28 Nov 2024, 11:55pm

*Full-time denotes 37.5 hours per week 

This role is considered a children's worker role and will be subject to safety checking as part of the Children's Act 2014.