POSITION DESCRIPTION
Position Title
National Manager Voting Services
Group/Business Unit
National Office
Location
Wellington
Date
June 2017
Reports to
Chief Electoral Officer
Position Purpose
The National Manager Voting Services is responsible for leading the operational planning, design,
delivery and development of New Zealand’s parliamentary electoral events and referenda, including
general elections. This is a senior position and the actions of the National Manager Voting Services
directly contribute to maintaining public trust and confidence in electoral administration and New
Zealand’s system of democracy.
Electoral Commission
The Electoral Commission’s two core functions are maintaining accurate and up-to-date electoral rolls
and delivering parliamentary elections and referenda.
The Commission has a range of further functions, including:
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encouraging the public to participate in elections and democracy;
promoting compliance with electoral laws;
registering political parties;
allocating money to political parties for broadcasting;
conducting the Māori Electoral Option, which enables New Zealanders of Māori descent to elect
whether to enrol on the Māori or General Roll;
administering and supporting the Representation Commission to set New Zealand’s electoral
boundaries;
providing advice and advisory opinions, reports and public education on electoral matters.
Our vision
New Zealanders trust, value and take part in parliamentary elections.
Our contribution
New Zealanders will trust, and are more likely to value and take part in parliamentary elections if we:
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Act impartially, professionally and in accordance with the law
Make participation easy
Deliver timely and accurate results
Are open to public, judicial and parliamentary scrutiny
Continually improve our processes, procedures and service
Dimensions of the position for which the incumbent is accountable
The National Manager Voting Services is directly responsible for a permanent team of 10 staff. As the
electoral cycle progresses, the number of direct reports increases to include Regional Managers (5) who
are employed for a fixed term. Those Regional Managers are responsible for recruiting Returning
Officers (64), and, in turn, they are responsible for employing over 15,000 staff, many of whom work just
on Election Day.
Number of direct reports
15
Number of indirect reports
64
Operating budget
$40m per Electoral Cycle
Other [delegation levels]
Per Delegation Matrix – Finance and HR
Important Relationships
Internal
 Chief Electoral Officer
 Electoral Commission Board
 Regional Managers
 Commission Staff including National Office, permanent and temporary field staff
External
 Parliamentary Select Committee
 Members of Parliament and parliamentary staff
 Representation Commission
 Media
 Suppliers, consultants and contractors
 Political parties and electoral candidates
 Government Departments (especially DPMC and the Cabinet Office)
 Electors
Key Accountabilities
Accountability Area
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Event Management
National Manager Voting Services
Key Deliverables/Outcomes
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Leads the delivery of national electoral events:
o Applies a disciplined event management methodology to coordinate National Office activities and to manage and monitor key
field activities;
o Makes well-founded decisions that help the Commission to
overcome operational issues arising in the field or within National
Office;
o Uses a solutions-based approach that seeks to overcome
obstacles through use of information, consultation and sound
judgement;
o Identifies when to communicate information across or outside the
wider organisation and uses appropriate and effective
communication methods;
o Even though dealing with the here and now, is able to maintain a
focus on the future and in particular on potential risks that might
impact upon successful delivery;
o Ensures that processes are in place to protect the integrity of vote
issuing, handling, storage, counting and provision of results;
o Is politically neutral and is seen to be politically neutral in dealings
with the public, both inside and outside the workplace.
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Programme
Management
Team Leadership
National Manager Voting Services
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Works with stakeholders, both within and outside the Commission to
support the delivery of events:
o Knows when to escalate issues and when to consult with others
in order to gain insights, to promote wider understanding and to
achieve buy-in;
o Understands and collaborates within the wider government and
international elections management contexts in order to develop
solutions and leverage support opportunities;
o Leads and manages relationships with key contractors and
vendors.
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As a member of the EC executive management team contributes to
the development of organisational strategy and the overall direction of
the Commission particularly with regards to Voting Services
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Turns strategic objectives into tangible and effective plans that enable
the Commission to develop and implement changes to business
policies, processes, systems, materials and training alongside other
senior managers and their teams
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Leads a change programme plan including responsibility for resource
allocation, risk management, monitoring progress, reporting and
tracking against budgets
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Leads and/or contributes to steering groups or other governance
structures to assist with the management of complex projects
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Adopts a ‘customer-centric’ approach to development of new
processes and systems and uses this as a yardstick against which to
measure success
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Applies learning from internal and external feedback and research to
the development of future plans
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Keeps abreast of overseas elections, international voting trends and
technological developments that could potentially influence the future
of New Zealand elections.
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Effectively leading people, including leading both local and remote
teams:
o Understands the nature, aspirations, motivations and
capabilities of staff in order to allocate work, support them
through issues and help promote their development;
o Identifies and resolves resource issues including overall project
requirements and managing individual workloads;
o Clearly sets expectations, monitors team performance, and
gives constructive feedback/support when appropriate;
o Regularly communicates with staff both one-on-one and as a
team in order to set expectations, share information, and
understand and respond to issues;
o Is fair and equitable in dealings with staff;
o Uses strategies, plans, and activities which encourage high
motivation and support innovation and continuous improvement;
o Manages the development and application of succession plans,
where appropriate.
 Applies and manages the application of Good Employer principles
including ensuring that EEO and cultural sensitivity policies and
practices are integrated into operations
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Relationship
Management
Further Accountability
Areas
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Resource
Management
 Builds strong relationships with external stakeholders and maintains
these relationships to ensure the best outcome for the Commission;
 Identifies, develops and maintains a strong network of contacts
including with key government agencies, external providers and
international electoral agencies;
 Ensures that business relationships are maintained at an agreed
level by developing, implementing, and maintaining service
standards and quality assurance processes;
 Represents the Commission at the political and parliamentary level;
 Represents the Commission in the media, when required;
 Maintains integrity and high ethical standards of conduct.
Key Deliverables/Outcomes
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Financial Management
Corporate
contribution
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Develops budgets based on government imperatives, agreed work
programmes, and organisational priorities and affordability and
identifies, communicates, and manages budget requirements;
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Monitors overall compliance of expenditure of budgets within own
accountability;
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Manages compliance with financial management principles in
transactions within delegated levels of approval, e.g. appropriate
processes were followed, expenditure is reasonable and necessary;
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Ensures that policies and standards are followed in the procurement
of services within areas of responsibility;
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Manages adherence to approved budgets through the application of
accountability systems, including the monitoring and reporting of
expenditure.
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Understands the context, and acts in the best interests of the wider
business in particular where there may be competing demands on
approach, time or resources;
Where possible, shares resources with other areas of the business to
support organisation-wide initiatives or to help assist other teams;
Contributes to internal discussions and solution formulation;
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Health and Safety
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National Manager Voting Services
Manages and plans for electoral event resource requirements
particularly with regards to voting services
Manages the team’s additional human resource requirements (e.g.
extra staffing for events)
Manages national electoral event procurement and delivery
processes
Complies with the Commission’s health and safety policies and
procedures. Takes action to improve the health and safety record
of the workplace. Ensures equipment and work areas are well
maintained.
Takes personal responsibility for keeping themselves, co-workers
and equipment free from mishaps.
Ensures timely and accurate reporting of any hazards or any
hazards or potential hazards so that they may be remedied.
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Person Specifications and Competencies
Qualifications & Technical Skills
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A relevant tertiary qualification and over 5-10 years’ work experience
Experience and knowledge required for effective performance in the position
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Knowledge and understanding of government and public concerns with regard to the
maintenance and management of the electoral system
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Experience which demonstrates an ability to understand and interpret complex legislation
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Ability to turn complex legislation into simple and effective processes and systems
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Leadership and staff management experience
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Practical knowledge and experience managing events
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Experience in performance management and strategic planning tools and processes
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Experience developing and using programme management methodologies and tools
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Experience demonstrating successful, effective negotiation skills and an ability to influence
and persuade
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Experience that demonstrates clear and effective communication with staff and stakeholders
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Proven ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse range of
staff and stakeholders
Key Competencies Required
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Analytical Skills: Ability to identify issues and analyse information to make considered
decisions. Uses rigorous logic and methods to solve difficult problems with effective solutions;
probes all fruitful sources for answers; can see hidden problems; is excellent at honest analysis;
looks beyond the obvious and doesn't stop at the first answers.
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Customer Focus: Is dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and
external customers; gets first-hand customer information and uses it for improvements in
products and services; acts with customers in mind; establishes and maintains effective
relationships with customers and gains their trust and respect.
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Teamwork: The ability to quickly find common ground and solve problems for the good of all,
representing his/her own interests and yet being fair to others in the group. The ability to solve
problems with peers with a minimum of noise and is seen as a team player and cooperative,
easily gaining the trust and support of peers. Encourages collaboration and can be candid yet
tactful with peers.
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Good judgement: Makes good decisions based upon a mixture of analysis, wisdom, experience,
and judgment; most of his/her solutions and suggestions turn out to be correct and accurate
when judged over time; sought out by others for advice and solutions.
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Environment awareness: Awareness of the economic, political, social and cultural context in
which the individual and the Electoral Commission operate.
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Communication: The ability to express thoughts and ideas with clarity and present a consistent
point of view both orally and in a written format.
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Results Orientation: The ability and desire to achieve effective results, and work towards or
exceed an agreed goal.
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Continuous Improvement: The ability and desire to seek and use better ways of doing things
(to improve one’s personal and the Electoral Commission’s performance). Embraces constructive
change and development in practices and processes..
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Professional integrity: The ability to act in a manner that conveys high personal and
professional standards consistent with the principles of importance to the Commission and the
State Sector. Develops and maintains trust and is seen to be someone who presents the
unvarnished truth in an appropriate and helpful manner, keeping confidences, admitting mistakes
and does not misrepresent him/herself for personal gain
National Manager Voting Services
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Commitment to EEO/Health and Safety: The ability to apply EEO and Health and Safety
principles and practices in the workplace.
National Manager Voting Services
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