Waikato Wellbeing Project- Lead Social Innovator

Details

The Waikato Wellbeing Project (WWP) is a regional initiative to achieve a more environmentally sustainable, prosperous and inclusive Waikato region by 2030. Based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Mātauranga and Te Ao Māori, the project has set a series of ambitious wellbeing goals for the region and aims to achieve these using a grassroots and systems-led process, developing insight and breakthrough in areas where traditional approaches may not have always been successful when addressing complex social challenges. Our operating model is based on the concept of a social impact lab and we have embedded human-centred design approaches into our tikanga. Over the next 2-3 years we have identified a series of bold wellbeing challenges which we will explore to find new and innovative prototypes and solutions.

What we need
We are looking for a dynamic and energetic lead social innovator who can continue to bring fresh thinking, innovation and agility into our projects and accelerate our progress towards impact. This role is designed to enable and catalyse social and economic change in priority SDGs/places and will focus on leading our priority projects. We require expertise in human centred design/design thinking with a flair for energising a wide range of people and groups from different backgrounds and geographies.
As well as being strongly data-led, you will have a strong sense for empathy-led approaches and will be quickly able to build trust amongst people who might not normally engage in major projects. You will have a very strong project management background and will be comfortable with complexity and uncertainty.

Ideally you will have a strong level of knowledge and experience of Te Ao Māori and Mātauranga Māori as it applies to solving complex challenges in the Waikato region. This may be through your considerable experience working with mana whenua in the Waikato and/or you whakapapa to Waikato Māori.