Department of Corrections NZ Looking for Manager Psychological Services at Waitaki-Canterbury, Canterbury, New Zealand Full Time

• Exciting opportunity based at Christchurch Women’s Prison
• Lead a new Psychological Services team to deliver gender & culturally responsive programmes & treatment services
• Oranga focused practice supporting restoration & reclamation
• He Awa Whiria (braided rivers) approach

He Aroha Whakatō, He Aroha Puta Mai – If kindness is sown then kindness you shall receive

The Women’s Strategy 2021-2025, Wāhine – E rere ana ki te pae hou acknowledged that insufficient attention has been given to the needs of women within Corrections, particularly wāhine Maori, and signals a significant step forward to ensure we meet those needs through gender and culturally responsive programmes and services.

Christchurch Women’s Prison is on a journey of transformational change and succeeding in this mahi will require news ways of working and co-operation. Access to psychological services are being significantly improved through the introduction of a site-based delivery model for women at the prison and the Canterbury District. Psychological services will align with, and integrate into, the initiatives currently underway at Christchurch Women’s Prison, including Te Mana Wāhine Pathway, ensuring we meet the psychological needs of the women housed there, and in the community

Rehabilitation programmes that have been designed within a braided river (He Awa Whiria) approach – that is Te Ao Maori and Matauranga Maori, will sit alongside more Western psychological approaches to rehabilitation. The psychological services team will work across the site and the women’s prison network, providing psychological advice, support and intervention that is gender and culturally responsive.

The vision for the service and the operating model is currently being collaboratively designed and the Manager Psychological Services, Christchurch Women’s Prison, will play a pivotal part in this process going forward.

There is a strong focus on Matauranga Maori. The Manager Psychology Services will be supported by a specialist Kaupapa Maori Practitioner (Tumu Maurea). The team will also provide transition and reintegration support, psychologists and programme facilitators who will work closely with site and community staff, and other providers to provide a holistic therapeutic experience.

Ngā kawenga | About the role

The Manager Psychological Services is responsible for providing professional leadership and clinical governance and oversight of the team and delivery of psychological services. The role will be required to implement policy and procedural guidelines, maintain best practice standards for the provision of psychological and rehabilitative services and ensure effective multi-disciplinary relationships.

More information on accountabilities for this role can be found on the Job Description attached to this position vacancy on our Careers website.

Please note with the department’s release of Te Ara Whakamua (The Pathway Forward) and its implementation proposed for the first quarter in 2024, this role will have a change of reporting line to the General Manager Pae Ora and provides an exciting opportunity to embrace this transformational way of working.

He kōrero mōu | About you

We invite applications from candidates who are able to demonstrate they meet the following skills and experience:

• Can show you are a Registered Psychologist with a Post-graduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology
• Demonstrate a high level of competence in psychological assessment and treatment
• Effective team leadership and supervision skills
• Demonstrate an understanding of He Awa Whiria
• Expert working knowledge of Te Arawhiti’s Māori Crown Relations Individual Capability Framework
• Show a commitment to creating strong partnerships with mana whenua, whanau, hapū and iwi Māori
• Hold capability in professional practice areas of research, evaluation and treatment in the criminal justice sector
• Have proven relationship and resource management skills
• Be committed to continually improving service delivery

Utu ā-tau | Salary

The full range salary range for this position is $146,744 – $170,514 per annum. Appointment and remuneration will reflect skills and experience relevant to the role.

Ko wai mātou | About us

Ara Poutama Aotearoa is a name that has been gifted to us and is our commitment to improving the oranga and safety of the people, whānau, and that of the communities we serve across the motu.

As a values-led organisation, we use the principles of rangatira (leadership), manaaki (respect), wairua (spirituality), kaitiaki (guardianship) and whānau (relationships) to shape how we work and deliver the outcomes in our strategy – Hōkai Rangi (https://careers.corrections.govt.nz/strategy).

We’re also bringing in new ways of working to help us deliver Hōkai Rangi, with a range of new roles being formed as part of The Pathway Forward Te Ara Whakamua.

It is an exciting time to join us, and we continue to seek out talented individuals who are committed to an inclusive, vibrant workplace. We recognise and celebrate the uniqueness of individuals, and that of the collective talent in our whānau.

If you share the same passion for our work but feel this opportunity may not be the perfect fit for you, we encourage you to click here (https://mahi.corrections.govt.nz/jobtools/jncustomsearch.viewFullSingle?in_organid=19420&in_jnCounter=225810696). We look forward to discovering more about you and exploring potential opportunities that align with your interests and skills.

Tono ināianei | Apply Now

To apply, please submit a tailored CV and a cover letter describing your motivation for joining the department highlighting relevant skills and experience. Alignment to our kaupapa is critical to our success – we ask that you provide examples which reflect and demonstrate our organisation values.

It is an exciting time to join us and we continue to seek out talented individuals who are committed to an inclusive, vibrant workplace. We recognise and celebrate the uniqueness of individuals, and that of the collective talent in our whānau. All applications must be submitted through our careers site to ensure transparency. Applications received via email will not be considered.

Applications will close on Wednesday, 14th February 2024.

If you want to find out more about a career with us, visit careers.corrections.govt.nz or email our team at [email protected]