Mō mātou | About us
Mana Mokopuna - Children and Young People's Commission (the Commission) advocates for all 1.2 million mokopuna aged under 18 in Aotearoa and care-experienced mokopuna aged up to 25.
The Commission is an Independent Crown Entity headed by an Executive Director and governed by a Board of Commissioners chaired by a Chief Children’s Commissioner.
As a Commission, we advocate for children's rights to be recognised and upheld, provide advice and guidance to government and other agencies, advocate for system-level change, ensure children's voices are heard in decisions that affect them and monitor places where mokopuna are detained.
Our name, Mana Mokopuna, describes who we are and what we stand for. Understanding mana is central to us at the Commission.
Dr Rose Pere describes ‘mana’ as meaning ‘respect, acquired knowledge, control, intrinsic value, dignity, and influence’. Hirini Moko Mead states that all children and young people are born with mana because their whakapapa can be traced back to the Atua (the Gods). An important aspect of mana is that it can never be taken away – it is part of a person’s whakapapa. To improve outcomes for children and young people, we need to understand the foundations that uphold their mana.
The word ‘mokopuna’ comes from two parts – moko (tattoo or blueprint) and puna (spring of water). This recognises that children are the blueprint of their ancestors. At the heart, we recognise the many elements that support mokopuna to thrive and acknowledge that they are unique individuals, existing within the context of their family, whānau, hapū, iwi, and wider community. Recognising that their participation in decisions that affect them is vitally important.
Te moemoeā: kia kuru pounamu te rongo; our vision is that all children and young people of Aotearoa live their best lives. For us, child wellbeing is whānau wellbeing.
At the Commission we recognise that an important part of achieving our moemoeā is advocating for a society in which Te Tiriti o Waitangi is fully realised. Our tari centers mātauranga Māori and our Te Tiriti obligations at the heart of all we do.
Mō te tūnga | About the role
We are looking for an experienced and dynamic Practice Lead to join our Participation and Engagement – Mai World team for a 12-month parental leave cover. Mai World designs and facilitates our engagements and supports others in developing mechanisms to hear and promote mokopuna voices, understand their experiences and ideas, and inform public discourse on children’s rights and wellbeing.
This role involves providing technical expertise and support to ensure best practices in participation and engagement, particularly in relation to children’s rights and wellbeing. You will play a key role in developing and implementing strategies that align with relevant legislation, are informed by contemporary research and evidence on mokopuna participation and reflect community experiences.
As Practice Lead, you will take on a leadership role, mentoring and guiding your team while working closely with the Kairaranga – Mokopuna and Whānau, and Managers to foster a culture of learning and development that improves practice and achieves positive outcomes for tamariki and rangatahi. Your leadership will be vital in ensuring the effectiveness of our engagement of mokopuna voices work programmes.
Experience and skills in working with mokopuna to share and amplify their voices to drive systemic change are essential. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience engaging mokopuna and collaborating with their whānau and communities. You will have in-depth knowledge of the issues that impact mokopuna from diverse backgrounds and ages, and experience advocating on their behalf in various systems and spaces. You will be a skilled communicator and relationship builder, able to manage complex situations and provide professional supervision and mentoring. If you are passionate about children’s rights and want to make a meaningful impact, we encourage you to apply.
You can find a full position description for the role below.
Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu | What you will bring
The ideal candidate will be required to bring the following qualification and skills to the role:
A relevant tertiary qualification and professional accreditation in a related discipline (e.g., social work, counselling, youth work, teaching), with a strong professional practice background.
At least 5 years' experience in child and youth engagement, with proven experience in leading child-centred initiatives.
Excellent skills in building and maintaining relationships within the community.
Extensive experience working within government agencies and systems.
Strong writing skills, particularly for providing technical practice advice and reporting on youth voices.
Outstanding communication skills, including experience in presentations and facilitation.
A demonstrated commitment and ability to embedding and applying Te Reo Māori, Tikanga, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi, or a willingness to engage in this context.
We are open to considering secondments from other organisations.
If this is you and you are a passionate individual who wants to work for an organisation dedicated to bettering the lives of mokopuna, then we want to hear from you!
Ngä hua ka puta i te mahi ki Mana Mokopuna | What we can offer you
The appointment salary will be between $113,424 and $125,582 gross per annum.
Flexible working options with a hybrid model – balance time between life and mahi, working from both the tari and home.
Opportunities to further develop your Te Reo Māori through regular lessons, along with waiata and kapa haka.
Wellbeing benefits, including access to Rongoā Māori and Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) services.
The chance to work with a passionate team of kaimahi dedicated to achieving the best outcomes for mokopuna across Aotearoa.
Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply
Applicants for this position should have the legal right to work in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Applications should be submitted online via NZ Government Jobs or SEEK.
Please provide an up-to-date CV and a cover letter outlining your motivation for the role and how you meet the requirements in the advert and position description.
Applicants invited to an interview will be required to fill out an employment check form, consenting to all relevant checks.
If you have any pātai regarding this role, please contact us at hr@manamokopuna.org.nz
Applications close 14 February 2025