Gore District Council

About Gore District Council

It will be subject to further elaboration or clarification at a later stage in the selection process and Sheffield accepts no liability for any representations made in good faith. Candidate Briefing Information Gore District Council Chief Financial Officer January 2020 Prepared by: Louise Green Senior Consultant Candidate Briefing Information January 2020 Chief Financial Officer Gore District Council Page 2 of 16 Gore District Council The Gore District Council places a heavy emphasis on creating a quality lifestyle for its residents. Boasting superb recreational facilities including an ice rink and indoor event centre together with a nationally regarded art gallery, the District punches above its weight in offering city-sized facilities in a rural community. This is suitably encapsulated with its brand, Rural City Living. Gore is located in the agricultural heartland of Southland and is close to Queenstown, Te Anau and the Catlins. We can offer a balanced lifestyle and a wonderful environment to bring up a family. The Gore District Council is one of three local authorities in Southland, the southernmost province of New Zealand. The Council is responsible for the Gore District, which covers an area of 1250km² and has a population of 12,400, with a total of 94 FTEs. The two main towns in the district are Gore and Mataura, with the smaller settlements of Pukerau, Waikaka and Mandeville. There are 12 elected representatives on the Council, including Mayor Tracy Hicks. The councillors are elected across five wards that represent the urban and rural areas of the District. There are five councillors in the Gore ward, three councillors elected district-wide and the Mataura, Kaiwera-Waimumu and Waikaka wards have one councillor each. Mataura Valley Milk project “massive” for the Gore District Mataura Valley Milk has built a new nutritional powders manufacturing plant, valued at about $200m at McNab, north of Gore. The plant which opened in November 2018 has created at least 60 new jobs, grows added value dairy exports and will inject an estimated $90m into the local economy. “The Gore District Council continues to be focused on developing opportunities in this District and we have had a connection with Mataura Valley Milk for some time now,” Mr Hicks said. “It’s fantastic to see this investment opportunity come to fruition. “We haven’t seen that kind of investment here for a very long time,” he said. For further information regarding the Gore District Council please visit: http://www.goredc.govt.nz/ Candidate Briefing Information January 2020 Chief Financial Officer Gore District Council Page 3 of 16 The Role – Chief Financial Officer Gore location – tier 2 role Need a challenge for the New Year? Supportive & engaged environment The Gore District Council is located in the agricultural heartland of Southland close to Queenstown, Te Anau and the Catlins. As one of three territorial local authorities in Southland, it covers an area of 1,250km with a population of 12,400. The Gore district provides a rural city lifestyle unrivalled by most, with exceptional community and recreational facilities. The Gore District’s location provides easy access to ski fields, the best of New Zealand’s national and forest parks and major urban centres. Gore is simply a wonderful place to live and captures the quintessential kiwi small town, with an established arts and cultural scene. Reporting to the CEO and leading a team of 5 direct reports (plus 3 indirect) this key appointment is responsible for leading strategic and operational financial management and performance, encompassing information technology, customer services, preparation of the Long Term Plan, annual plan and annual report. This is an exciting time as the Gore District is experiencing unprecedented growth across all sectors and has a record number of capital works projects on the go for 2020 and beyond. Desirable candidates will have senior financial leadership experience and a CA qualification, along with experience leading IT and information systems across an organisation. A strong customer focus and passion for working closely with a rural community is required, along with a high degree of personal authenticity, integrity and EQ. Essential to success is your ability to communicate with people at all levels of the organisation, along with a successful track record of building staff capability. Prior experience in local or central government is desirable, but certainly not a deal breaker. This role represents a great opportunity for someone looking for that next step to elevate their career, or for experienced candidates attracted to the benefits and lifestyle offered in this location. Candidate Briefing Information January 2020 Chief Financial Officer Gore District Council Page 4 of 16 Position Description Position Chief Financial Officer Reports to Chief Executive Held by vacant Date February 2020 Direct reports IT Manager Accountant Senior Customer Services Officer Rating Officer Accounts Payable Officer Purpose The Chief Financial Officer is responsible to the Chief Executive for the effective oversight of the Council’s financial management which entails the collection of revenue, payment of accounts, operation of the accounting system, reporting of financial reports, cash-flow management, debt management, development of financial policy and the provision of advice. Position Objectives (a) To ensure that the necessary procedures are in place for the accurate and timely processing of accounting transactions and entries to the books of account. (b) To ensure that periodic reporting of financial results and conditions is timely, of good quality and utilises to the greatest extent possible techniques, formats and measures that make financial reports accessible, easily understood and meaningful to users. (c) To be responsible for the preparation of the Long Term Plan, annual plan and annual report. (d) To prepare and maintain long term forecasts of income, expenditure and cash positions, together with maintaining daily management of the Council’s cash reserves. (e) To prepare the Council’s annual budget together with a rating resolution to enable annual rates to be levied. Candidate Briefing Information January 2020 Chief Financial Officer Gore District Council Page 5 of 16 (f) To supervise the Accountant to ensure that all accounting personnel are using the financial systems to their best effect and that proper internal controls are in place at all times. (g) To provide oversight and direction to the senior Customer Services Officer ensuring that the Council’s frontline customer services are professional, accurate, consistent and respectful. (h) To provide oversight of the Council’s information technology services and requirements. (i) To be the principal advisor to the Council’s Audit and Risk Committee. (j) To keep the Chief Executive fully informed of any material financial developments so that surprises are minimised. (k) To draw down debt and oversee loan repayments to support the Council’s approved capital works programme. (l) To prepare an annual report of the Council’s insurance requirements in consultation with the Council’s insurance broker. (m) To provide financial modelling and analysis when required. (n) To provide advice to the Chief Executive and the Council on financial policy. Key result areas Key result areas have been identified to assist in formulating performance objectives. The duties of the position are being carried out to a satisfactory standard when: ❑ Monthly reports are issued by the 7th working day of the following month. ❑ Managers are advised of all significant variances against budget. Managers are given assistance to understand the results presented to them. ❑ Monthly reports on the Council’s financial position and actual expenditure and revenue compared to budget are presented to the Council. ❑ Budget and actual figures in the general ledger are accurate. ❑ Internal controls and procedures operate effectively and efficiently. ❑ Financial and administrative systems are accurate and used to their best effect. ❑ Agendas for the quarterly meetings of the Audit and Risk Committee are produced within the timelines specified in the Council’s calendars. Candidate Briefing Information January 2020 Chief Financial Officer Gore District Council Page 6 of 16 Key relationships Mayor and Councillors Council Managers Finance staff Auditors Bankers Insurance broker Software suppliers Members of the public Personal qualities and qualifications Experience and knowledge ❑ Tertiary accounting qualification and member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of New Zealand. ❑ A minimum of 5 years accounting experience ❑ Intimate knowledge of computer systems, specifically Microsoft Office products and Civica’s Authority product. ❑ Experience in finance and business planning. ❑ Experience in financial analysis and reporting. Specific skills ❑ Ability to communicate with people at all levels of the organisation ❑ Perseverance and a “can do” attitude ❑ Verbal and numerical reasoning ability ❑ Self motivated ❑ Ability and willingness to take ownership of delegated responsibilities. Personal qualities ❑ Self confident ❑ Able to use initiative ❑ Able to express ideas clearly ❑ Able to report effectively ❑ Ability to work with minimum supervision ❑ Supportive ❑ Adaptability ❑ Able to cope with a variety of situations ❑ Ability to promote the desired interest of the Gore District Council through good public relations ❑ Ability to foster team work ❑ Personal and professional integrity Candidate Briefing Information January 2020 Chief Financial Officer Gore District Council Page 7 of 16 Hours of work and remuneration The usual hours shall be 37.5 per week. There is a requirement to attend a number of meetings outside of normal working hours, for which no additional remuneration is paid. Occupational health and safety The employer and employee will meet their obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. The employer’s duties include ensuring, so far as is reasonably practicable: The provision and maintenance of a safe working environment for employees and others in the workplace. The provision and maintenance of facilities for the welfare of employees while at work The provision of necessary training instructions to employees. The provision and maintenance of safe machinery, equipment, and working arrangements. The provision of suitable procedures to deal with work emergencies. That health and safety employee engagement and participation practices are in place. That it consults and cooperates with other businesses operating in the same workplace(s). The employee will follow the employer’s health and safety rules and procedures (Gore District Council’s health and safety manual). The employee will take reasonable care to look after their own health and safety at work, their fitness for work and the health and safety of others. Examples of how the employee can take reasonable care include: Following all health and safety rules and instructions. Participating in health and safety discussions. Taking reasonable care that their actions (or inactions) do not cause harm, or risk of harm, to themselves or others. Not reporting for duty under the influence of alcohol or drugs that impair their performance or fitness for work. Wearing all the necessary personal protective equipment and clothing. The employee must report any potential risks, accidents, incidents and near misses so that the employer can investigate or eliminate or minimise harm or risk of harm. Failure to follow reasonable health and safety rules (including this clause) may be considered serious misconduct. Candidate Briefing Information January 2020 Chief Financial Officer Gore District Council Page 8 of 16 Confidentiality The employee, during the time of employment and after termination of employment, will keep confidential any knowledge or information which may be acquired during the course of or incidental to that employment with the Gore District Council concerning any members, staff, customers or clients of the Gore District Council or other confidential matters with which the Council may have been involved. Property Following termination of employment, the employee shall deliver to the Gore District Council all materials, papers, documents, uniforms and any other property of the Gore District Council before a final pay will be settled. KiwiSaver The Council will make a matching employer contribution of either 3% or 4% to an approved KiwiSaver scheme. Civil Defence duties All Council staff may be required to undertake civil defence duties in the event of an emergency. Training will be given as appropriate. Candidate Briefing Information January 2020 Chief Financial Officer Gore District Council Page 9 of 16 Candidate Briefing Information January 2020 Chief Financial Officer Gore District Council Page 10 of 16 Candidate Briefing Information January 2020 Chief Financial Officer Gore District Council Page 11 of 16 Candidate Briefing Information January 2020 Chief Financial Officer Gore District Council Page 12 of 16 Candidate Briefing Information January 2020 Chief Financial Officer Gore District Council Page 13 of 16 Candidate Briefing Information January 2020 Chief Financial Officer Gore District Council Page 14 of 16 Our Process Search and Advertising Sheffield consultants may contact you to discuss your application by phone or in person, potentially support CV presentation and assess your fit for the role. The consultants will examine your fit with the key competencies of the role. Longlist Review Sheffield will provide a formal report with candidates’ summarised information from CVs and personal interactions to the client for assessment. Consultant Interviews The lead consultant will interview longlist candidates focusing on core competencies and asking for examples that illustrate these from the candidates’ experience. Shortlist Review Sheffield will provide a formal report with candidates’ summarised information from CVs and personal interactions to the client for assessment. Shortlist Interviews Suitable candidates will be contacted and arrangements will be made for a suitable time for the interview. The times set will be those which suit the client. We ask for your flexibility to make this work. Due Diligence and Decision For the successful candidate this involves reference checking and probity of education, employment and police records as well as online searches. Candidate Briefing Information January 2020 Chief Financial Officer Gore District Council Page 15 of 16 Sheffield Contacts Louise Green Senior Consultant Louise consults and facilitates across a full spectrum of strategic and operational Human Resources including Executive Recruitment, Organisational Development, Talent Management, Change Management, and also facilitates Board Appointments, Board Reviews and CEO Performance Reviews. Louise brings to her work a sound understanding of strategic practice, an entirely professional approach and the experience, initiative and commercial acumen to contribute with credibility. She is an experienced facilitator and HR professional who has capably operated within a diverse range of roles and companies including commercial, educational, retail & property management, government and agricultural, throughout New Zealand. Julie Black Research Consultant Julie joined Sheffield in March 2012 and comes from a commercial business background. She has more than 20 years’ experience leading strong teams in various marketing and management positions in national and multi-national organisations across Media, Oil, Telecommunications and Manufacturing sectors. Julie brings to her work a sound understanding of strategic practice, a professional approach and the experience, initiative and commercial acumen to contribute with impact. She has completed a Bachelor of Commerce at Victoria University, Wellington and more recently additional papers towards a Graduate Diploma in Management from Canterbury University, in areas of personal interest. Tania Macdonald Research Consultant Tania has a background in investment banking, having worked at a variety of international investment houses. She now combines her professional experience in a fast-paced demanding environment, with her communication and her business development skills to the research team at Sheffield. Tania specialises in Search & Selection assignments for senior management positions throughout the South Island in both the private and public sectors. She identifies high calibre, senior management candidates whose experience and background meet our clients’ requirements. Candidate Briefing Information January 2020 Chief Financial Officer Gore District Council Page 16 of 16 How to Apply Candidates can apply, in strict confidence, online at www.sheffield.co.nz. To apply by email, please attach your cover letter and CV and send [email removed] quoting 377785aa. Applications close on 9 February 2020. Emails will be electronically acknowledged, and further correspondence may be by email. For more information please phone Louise Green on +64 3 353 4367.

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