2300827

UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO
Te Whare Wānanga o Otāgo

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Kaiarahi/Māori Student Coordinator

DEPARTMENT: Māori Health Workforce Development Unit (MHWDU)
SCHOOL & DIVISION: Health Sciences

REPORTS TO: Director, Māori Health Workforce Development Unit; Professional Practice
Fellow, Māori Academic Achievement
DIRECT REPORTS: N/A

1. BACKGROUND:

The position of Kaiarahi/Māori Student Coordinator Degree and Health Professional Programmes is a
position to effectively deliver Tū Tauira Hauora, a support programme for Māori students who are
enrolled in the Division of Health Sciences degrees, degree majors and Health Professional programmes
(Dentistry, Medicine, Medical Laboratory Science, Oral Health, Pharmacy and Physiotherapy). Due to the
successful implementation of a range of MHWDU programmes, there has been a significant increase in
the number of students enrolled in Health Sciences study. This position is suited to a suitably qualified,
highly motivated individual with demonstrated interpersonal and problem-solving skills who is passionate
about Māori development, education and achievement.

2. PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE ROLE:

To contribute to the retention and achievement of Māori students in health sciences degree programmes
at the University of Otago by providing culturally-responsive academic and pastoral support.

3. ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• To be part of the team of the Māori Health Workforce Development Unit (MHWDU), Health
Sciences Division contributing effectively to the various activities and overall functioning and
operations of the MHWDU.
• To ensure the effective delivery of Tū Tauira Hauora providing culturally-responsive support,
guidance and a sense of whanaungatanga to Māori health science students in accordance with the
strategic goals of the MHWDU and tikanga Māori.
• To participate in and provide culturally-responsive support for other Māori student initiatives
occurring across the Division of Health Sciences as directed by the MHWDU Programmes Manager.
• To work alongside other MHWDU staff to build on and maintain constructive relationships with key
stakeholders and networks associated with Māori student support.
• To contribute to the ongoing development and maintenance of the MHWDU student database and
communications lists.
• To contribute to the MHWDU’s te reo me ōnā tikanga goals for staff and students.
• To develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders involved in degree programmes
undertaken by Māori students and work co-operatively on initiatives to enhance Māori student
achievement, professional and cultural development.
• To identify and recruit tutors and demonstrators to support the learning needs of Māori health
professional programme students.

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4. KEY TASKS:

MHWDU team and activities:

• To actively participate across the range of activity of the Māori Health Workforce Development Unit
including Māori student support, programme development and operations, organising and
participating in events with students and stakeholders and upholding and supporting relevant
relationships.
• To gain a thorough understanding and participate in the further development of the strategic aims
and operational goals of the MHWDU.
• To demonstrate expertise in degree planning for Health Sciences and a comprehensive
understanding of the requirements for admission to Otago’s health professional programmes.
• To demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the academic requirements, components and
assessments of the degree programmes within the Division of Health Sciences. This includes all
health science majors, the new Bachelor of Health Sciences qualification and Otago's health
professional programmes, dentistry, medicine, medical laboratory science, oral health, pharmacy,
radiation therapy, dental technology, and Physiotherapy.
• To participate fully in strategic development, quality improvement and operational
• development of the MHWDU.
• To contribute to the successful functioning of the Office of the Associate Dean (Māori) Health
Sciences and provide appropriate support for activities with a divisional and cross-divisional focus.

Māori Student Support: Degree Programmes:

• To identify the support needs of Māori students within the Degree programmes of the Health
Science Division and deliver the Tū Tauira Hauora support programme for these students.
• To implement the support plan by providing support, guidance and a sense of whanaungatanga to
Māori health sciences students and act as a key point of contact. This responsibility will involve
after hours and weekend work from time to time.
• To identify and recruit tutors/demonstrators to support student learning development.
• To assist with the tracking and monitoring of Māori student progress and the upkeep of student
records and data (demonstrating expertise in Excel & Business Objects).
• To play a pivotal role in the planning, coordination and implementation of hui, wānanga, extra
activities and professional development for Māori students.
• To report regularly to the MHWDU on the progress of Māori students and contribute to further
programme development and improvements.
• To encourage all Māori students enrolled in Health Science programmes to participate and make
use of the services and programmes provided by the Māori Centre.

Other activities I Relationships I Networks:

• To participate and support other Māori student support activity as directed across the Division of
Health Sciences.
• To develop and maintain strong and effective relationships with the Māori Centre staff, staff of the
degree programmes and other academic and general staff involved in the support of Māori
students across the university.
• To develop and maintain strong and effective relationships with other University and Health
Sciences Divisional staff who have roles in Māori student support.
• To maintain an effective system of communication with the Division's Māori students, their whanau
and key support networks.
• To undertake other tasks, as appropriate and where required.

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5. KEY RELATIONSHIPS:

• Māori Health Workforce Development Unit Staff.

• Kohatu, Centre for Hauora Māori.
• Division of Health Sciences' administration team and academic staff.
• Division of Health Sciences' Admissions Office.
• Health Sciences Māori Leadership Group.
• Te Huka Matauraka/Māori Centre staff.
• Office of Māori Development.
• Māori students' whanau.
• Associate Deans Student Affairs (health professional programmes)
• Student Learning Centre.
• Sciences and Kaiawhina Māori network.
• Staff of the School's Liaison Team.
• Student Learning Centre.
• Disability Information and Support services.
• Te roopu Māori.
• Career services.
• Otago University Residential College staff.

6. BUDGETARY RESPONSIBILITY:

• Approved expenditure only - up to $5,000.

• Authorises minor expenditure from another person's budget in accordance with University financial
delegations.

7. EXPECTED OUTCOMES:

• Strong knowledge and contribution to the strategic and operational goals of the MHWDU.
• Excellent monitoring of Māori student progress and responsive action to student needs.
• High level of satisfaction of students and with staff with services provided.
• All tasks and functions completed to a high standard and in a timely manner.
• Compliance with all relevant University of Otago policies and procedures.

8. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

Essential:
• Hold an appropriate tertiary qualification.
• Must demonstrate an understanding of the tertiary sector and approaches to Māori student
achievement within the tertiary sector.
• A high level of proficiency in te reo Māori me ōnā tikanga.
• Strong problem solving skills, initiative and a commitment to succeed.
• Committed to providing friendly, and reliable support to students and their whanau.
• Committed to the advancement of Māori students, whānau, hapū and iwi.
• A proven ability to establish and maintain relationships.
• Able to work well in a team and in a supervised and unsupervised environment.
• Able to deal sensitively and in a culturally appropriate manner with Māori students and their
whānau.

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9. TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE:

• Highly developed written and oral communication skills and an advanced understanding of
Microsoft Excel.

10. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must hold a full drivers license.

Must have flexibility to work after hours and weekends (as agreed in advance) when required.

11. MĀORI STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:

Act in a manner consistent with the principles and implications, as well as the University’s commitment
to the Treaty as articulated in the Māori Strategic Framework.

12. PACIFIC STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:

Act in a manner consistent with the strategies and goals contained in the University’s Pacific Strategic
Framework, role-modelling and promoting Pacific values, equity and diversity principles and cultural
safety practices.

13. HEALTH & SAFETY:

Act and work in a manner compliant with current health and safety at work legislation and University
procedures, frameworks and guidelines. Role model safe behaviour and practices, share the
responsibility to prevent harm and contribute to a safe campus and work environment, including raising
workplace health and safety concerns for self, students, visitors and other staff.

14. SUSTAINABILITY:

Act in a manner consistent with the University’s sustainability commitments; role-modelling sustainable
practices, with a particular emphasis on minimising the environmental impact of day-to-day activities.

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