Candice Benson

As the sole contract manager for Pou Reo (Language Champions) and Kaiāwhina (Administrators), my role includes:

• Possessing a deep understanding of the concept and importance of ūkaipōtanga (restorarion of te reo Māori as a nurturing first language) and mana motuhake (self-government)
• Implementing a kaupapa-Māori approach within all aspects of work programme
• Cultivating and maintaining productive working relationships with key stakeholders, including 8 regional/kāhui ā-iwi based Pae Motuhake (advisory committee) chairs (Poutaki) and 16 contractors (Pou Reo, Kaiāwhina)
• Working collaboratively with Poutaki, Pou Reo and Kaiāwhina to identify and achieve work programme goals
• Working collaboratively with Te Mātāwai Investments Team, Research and Strategy teams to leverage resources and enhance information flow between central office and external contractors
• Developing and leading end-to-end recruitment and induction processes for new contractors, adhering to best-practice standards
• Increasing contractor role clarity to maximise productivity and efficiency
• Drafting, reviewing and revising contracts for accuracy and completeness
• Tracking contract milestones and processing invoices

As part of the Organisational Development team [People and Capability], I was tasked with designing and delivering learning experiences that supported the Ministry's cultural capability uplift in response to its strategic accountabilities (Te Ao Hurihuri, Maihi Karauna and Whainga Amorangi).

Key responsibilities included:

• Sole design, delivery and facilitation of an 8-week te reo Māori me ōna tikanga learning programme across all levels of organisation, from executive leadership to policy teams
• Adapting and converting learning programme to an online delivery model
• Supporting the development of the Ministry's Mahere Reo Māori (Māori Language Plan)
• Supporting the development of a bilingual signage policy
• Supporting the development and delivery of the Ministry's baseline cultural capability programme, Tōnui
• Coordinating mihi whakatau for new senior Ministry appointees and summer interns
• Co-leading the Ministy's waiata group, Ngā Manu Taiao

• Provided comprehensive executive support to directors to enable work programme delivery
• Provided general administrative support including scheduling meetings, making travel arrangements and managing documentation
• Displayed absolute discretion at handling confidential information, including OIAs
• Served as key point of contact between directors, managers and teams

As sole coordinator for the Hutt Valley Buddies Service, my responsibilities included:

• Implementing a trauma-informed approach to all aspects of work programme
• Building, developing and maintained a team of 8 volunteers across a 2-year period
• Leading design, development and facilitation of 6-monthly, 2-day volunteer induction training programme
• Improving workflow and administrative processes
• Building and sustaining productive and supportive working relationships with key stakeholders, including volunteers and HVDHB staff
• Development of a Buddies Service newsletter
• Supporting organisational policy reviews and strategic planning
• Meeting quarterly Ministry of Health reporting requirements