Job Description

Type: Permanent

Location: Wellington-based role (Christchurch and Auckland will also be considered)

Applications Close: 5pm Sunday 29th March 2026

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

The purpose of the Senior Advisor, Funding and Financial Assurance is to process and manage funding applications and claims submitted to NEMA by local authorities and other organisations on a timely basis in accordance with principles, standards, and guidelines. This will be achieved by:

• Managing the end-to-end assurance review, approval and reporting processes related to local authorities and CDEM claims and other funds administered by NEMA
• Engaging with local authorities on significant infrastructure rebuild programmes after emergency events to provide advice on NEMA funding and eligibility
• Assisting in preparation of policies and guidance for new appropriations or emergency funding and participating in NEMA’s work programmes and special projects
• Ensuring local authority funding requests, meet government funding criteria (including special or additional funding requests)

As NEMA is an operational agency, there is 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 upmost importance.

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:

• Agility, curiosity, adaptability and resilience
• Attention to detail, high level of judgement with the ability to make effective decisions and an ability to deliver high quality work outputs under pressure in high stress situations
• Flexible approach/thinking, able to adapt in constantly changing circumstances
• Ability to take initiative and work autonomously
• Comfortable facilitating a collaborative work environment, with a constant eye on completing the objective and goals of the business unit
• The discretion and tact to handle confidential and private information

Huanga Whaiaro | Key requirements

• Chartered Accountant (or working towards qualification) or Certified Internal Auditor / Internal Audit Qualification
• Proven experience in assurance or auditing (internal or external)
• Strong communication skills including ability to write formal reports
• Experience in persuading, influencing, building and maintaining effective collaborative relationships
• Sound knowledge of MS Applications (in particular Word and Excel at intermediate level) and IT systems
• Experience working in an operational environment and operational decision making

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

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 BASE salary range for this role is $108,018 - $117,951 per annum.

NEMA offers other benefits such as Department leave, Wellbeing allowance, Vision allowances and more.

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 follow instructions to download a position description or apply. If you have any questions, contact us at NEMATalent@nema.govt.nz or Radha Gounder (Funding and Financial Assurance Manager) at radha.gounder@nema.govt.nz We do not accept unsolicited approaches from agencies or 3rd parties.

To review the full job descri​ption, please click here If you are unable to follow the link, please review the full job description on our careers website.

Applications close 5pm Sunday 29th March 2026. Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Early applications are encouraged.