Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland

The University of Auckland is New Zealand’s leading University. With over 6000 academic and professional staff supporting over 46,000 students, we are one of NZ’s largest employers.  We have eight academic faculties and 11 service divisions creating a diverse, dynamic and complex organisational culture that demands excellence.

Our lecturers and health researchers are regarded as experts in their fields, frequently directing global research projects designed to better the lives of New Zealanders and the world, and in turn passing this knowledge on to our students.

Mō tō mātou rōpū | About the team

Growing Up in New Zealand is New Zealand’s contemporary, and largest, longitudinal study of Kiwi children.

Since 2008, this exciting University of Auckland study managed by Auckland UniServices Limited has been following the development of around 6,800 children, capturing their unique life stories via a series of Data Collection Waves. Celebrating its fifteenth year this year, the study started in pregnancy and plans to continue following the cohort children until they are at least 21 years old. 

Growing Up in New Zealand provides scientific and policy-relevant evidence to inform policy development for families, as well as improve understanding of child outcomes and equity. To date, data has been collected from the cohort at 14 points of the last 12 years.

Information from Growing Up in New Zealand has provided insights into a diverse range of areas such as paid parental leave, immunisation, poverty and material hardship, family housing and mobility, household safety, bullying, participation in Early Childhood Education, and pre- and post-natal depression among fathers.

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

The Growing Up in New Zealand study sits within the School of Population Health as one of the five schools in the Faculty of Medical Health Sciences.

We are seeking a Cohort Relationship Lead – Māori to aid in the delivery of this iconic project. Our ideal candidate will have a strong focus on building and maintaining relationships with Māori families and whanau from the cohort to maximise their involvement, in line with the Growing Up in New Zealand Cohort Relationship Strategy.  You will build long term connections with Māori local and regional organisations to support the research study. Lead Cohort Relationship coordinators in effective implementation of Cohort Action Plan during the survey process. Being responsible for gathering robust research data from participants, and positively contributing to the engagement and retention of study members, whilst providing exceptional participant customer service and support in all forms of communication.

Key duties will include:

• Taking a lead role in training Cohort Relationship coordinators and Casual Field members to deliver all project requirements 
• Day-to-day management and support of the Cohort Relationship coordinators
• Lead coordinator team to maximise cohort engagement and retention  
• Build and maintain strong relationships with Māori stakeholders, community leaders and organisations
• Meet and deliver on set targets within timelines and protocols  
• Provide weekly updates on activity and outcomes
• Regular reporting to the Cohort Relationship Manager, including appropriate escalation
• Promote Growing Up in New Zealand initiatives and research at events and networking opportunities
• Build and maintain strong relationships with Māori Cohort - families and children, encouraging their participation in the longitudinal study
• Execute strategies and activities to ensure that study participants feel valued, informed, and comfortable with their involvement in this longitudinal study
• Update CRM with all engagement and retention activity where relevant to individual families to ensure that records are kept in real-time.

This is a fulltime (37.5 hours per week), fixed term (up to 38 months) position. The salary range for this role is between $68,600- $84,700 dependent on skills and experience.

For more detailed information, please refer to the Position Description.

He kōrero mōu | About you

To be successful in this role you will have a Post graduate Diploma – Public Health or other suitable qualification as well as:

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively 
• Experience engaging with community-based organisations and networks 
• Experience using IT systems, CRM and database management 
• Proven track record of achieving targets and deliverables
• Excellent communication skills
• High level of awareness of cultural protocol when engaging primarily with Māori communities
• Experience leading a team
• Proven track record training team members
• Work scheduling, monitoring and reporting

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What we offer

The University of Auckland is New Zealand’s leading university and maintains significant computational, laboratory and analytic facilities. Auckland itself is frequently rated as one of the world’s most liveable cities. 

The University is committed to providing an excellent working environment through:

• Flexible employment practices (including working from home, flexible hours)
• Up to 6.75% company superannuation scheme
• A competitive salary with five weeks’ annual leave

In addition, we also offer career development programmes, discounted car parking, a generous parental leave allowance, childcare, and a number of other discounts on internal and external services. 

For more information, please visit Staff Benefits.

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

Applications must be submitted online, by the closing date of 17 November 2024 to be considered. Please include your cover letter and your CV highlighting how you can meet the skills and experiences detailed above.

Please reach out to Karleen Edmonds, via [email protected], for a confidential conversation. Please note we are happy to answer your questions, but we do not accept applications by email.

Equity

The University is committed to meeting its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and achieving equity outcomes for staff and students in a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment.  For further information on services for Māori, Pacific, women, LGBTQIATakatāpuiMVPFAFF+, people with disabilities, parenting support, flexible work and other personal circumstances go to www.equity.auckland.ac.nz

The University is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment where everyone can thrive. For further information see Te Ara Tautika | the Equity Policy and visit www.equity.auckland.ac.nz