Senior EM Advisor - Community Resilience
The role
We are looking to fill a key vacancy in our Emergency Management Office based in Palmerston North. Reporting to the Manager Emergency Management, you will have a shared responsibility for leading and supporting coordinated response efforts during emergencies, while also contributing to all phases of emergency management.
With a focus on Community Resilience, you will contribute to the Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group’s objectives by coordinating and supporting activities that strengthen community, iwi, and welfare resilience across the Manawatū-Whanganui region. You’ll take a lead role in building partnerships with iwi, agencies, and diverse community networks to enhance preparedness, increase awareness, and support community-led emergency management initiatives.
A critical aspect of this role is fostering strong, trust-based relationships with iwi and hapū through regular hui and kanohi ki te kanohi engagement. You will work in genuine partnership to support culturally responsive emergency management planning and delivery, guided by tīkanga Māori and the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
You’ll help develop and support marae and iwi-based response plans, design culturally appropriate engagement and training initiatives, and advocate for the integration of Māori knowledge and leadership within emergency management frameworks - while also supporting the wider community resilience work of the Group.
You’ll contribute to the Group’s broader strategic goals – including welfare planning, public education, capability development, and operational response – helping ensure all communities across our region are informed, prepared, and supported before, during, and after emergencies.
About you
With a focus on Community Resilience, you will contribute to the Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group’s objectives by coordinating and supporting initiatives that strengthen the welfare and preparedness of communities across the Manawatū-Whanganui region. In this role, you will work closely with local authorities, welfare agencies, community organisations, and networks to enhance readiness, promote awareness, and support community-led emergency management planning in response and recovery.
A key aspect of the role is developing and maintaining strong partnerships across the welfare sector to ensure effective coordination before, during, and after emergencies. You will support the delivery of welfare services, contribute to the development of regional welfare planning, and help build capability within communities to manage and recover from emergencies.
While the focus is on the broader community, you will also engage with iwi and hapū as part of inclusive and culturally appropriate planning, supporting community resilience in a way that respects tīkanga Māori and aligns with the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. This may include working alongside Iwi and Māori-led organisations to ensure their needs and strengths are reflected in response and recovery arrangements.
You’ll play a key role in designing and facilitating CDEM welfare training, exercising welfare plans, and advocating for community resilience within the emergency management sector helping to build stronger, more connected, and better-prepared communities across the region.
Why join us?
When you join us, you can look forward to a rewarding career full of opportunities to develop a positive and supportive work environment. We do this through:
- Positive focus on employee health, wellness and wellbeing initiatives across the organisation including your birthday off, wellness day, life insurance for all permanent staff and 5 weeks leave after 2 years of service
- Flexible family friendly work environment
- Ongoing development and opportunities across the organisation to grow, specialise or diversify your skills.
- Working together for a better environment across our region
- A supportive and social work environment across the organisation
About us
The Horizons region extends over 22,200km2 – from Ruapehu in the north and Horowhenua in the south, to Whanganui in the west and Tararua in the east. We work with and for our community in the use and protection of our environment, managing our precious resources of land, air and water; as well as public transport and a key role in emergency management. At Horizons Regional Council we work to make our region a healthy environment where people are thriving, including our staff.
Horizons are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to ensuring we have a diverse and inclusive workplace so our people reflect the diversity of our region.
