Senior Advisor

• Shape how Auckland prepares for and recovers from major emergencies
• Fast-paced, purpose-driven work with real community impact and strong delivery focus
• Build your profile across the Auckland council group, and the CDEM sector

He angitūtanga: The opportunity 

Make a meaningful impact on how Auckland recovers from emergencies. As Senior Recovery Advisor, you’ll play a critical role in strengthening recovery readiness while helping lead delivery when events occur. This is a unique opportunity to influence how the region prepares for, responds to, and recovers from disruption—ensuring better outcomes for communities across Tāmaki Makaurau.

Working closely with the Head of Recovery, you’ll bring together strategy and action—embedding lessons from past events, shaping frameworks, and supporting coordinated recovery efforts in dynamic, real-time environments. You’ll collaborate widely, build strong partnerships, and help drive a more resilient, connected recovery system across the region.

Key responsibilities include:

• Work directly with the Head of Recovery to review the Tamaki Makaurau Recovery Office learnings and translate them into practical, organisation-wide improvements
• Lead and drive the delivery of recovery-related work programmes that embed lessons learned from 2023 Cyclone Gabrielle recovery, into new and improved systems, processes, and frameworks
• Provide evidence-based advice to support the development and implementation of Auckland’s strategic and operational emergency recovery frameworks
• Support integration between readiness, response, recovery and resilience activities within AEM and across council
• Build capability across council to ensure emergency recovery systems and processes are well established
• Develop strong relationships with agencies, iwi, communities, the council group and other CDEM groups
• Support the establishment and operation of the Recovery Function during emergency events

He kōrero mōu: About you

You’re a confident and considered advisor who performs at your best in complex, fast-paced environments. With a strong grounding in crisis and issues management, you’re able to provide clear, evidence-based advice and turn strategic thinking into practical, actionable plans that support effective recovery outcomes.

You build trust quickly and work comfortably across diverse stakeholder groups, bringing the influence and political awareness needed to navigate sensitive environments. Calm under pressure and highly self-aware, you maintain sound judgement and resilience when it matters most.

You’ll bring:

• Ability to provide pragmatic advice in complex, high-pressure environments
• Strong relationship building and influencing skills with political acumen and the ability to build credibility
• Strategic thinking and critical judgement, translating into practical delivery plans
• Excellent communication, written and presentation skills
• Experience working in advisory, policy, programme, or project roles within complex public sector or comparable environments
• Strong project and programme management skills to plan, track, and deliver recovery work programmes
• Knowledge of CIMS, or willingness to gain certification within six months

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou: What we offer

This is a rare opportunity to help shape how Auckland prepares for and recovers from major emergencies and make a tangible difference to communities when it matters most.

Alongside meaningful, purpose-driven work, you’ll benefit from exposure to complex, region-wide challenges, the chance to build strong cross-agency networks, and the opportunity to grow your expertise in emergency management and recovery leadership.

Please use this link to view a copy of the position description.

Applications close Thursday, 21st May 2026

Please note that we will however be considering applications as they are received so please do not delay in applying.

Auckland Council is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and we are committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application to assist you through the recruitment process.