At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals in understanding and addressing their offending behaviours through therapeutic programmes.
- Company: Join Ara Poutama Aotearoa, a values-led organisation focused on public safety and reducing re-offending.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, extensive training, and opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while working in a supportive and inclusive environment.
- Qualifications: Excellent communication skills and life experience are essential; relevant qualifications are a plus.
- Other info: Full-time, permanent role based in Christchurch with a focus on cultural understanding.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 62000 £ per year.
- Helpothers to understand and address the causes of their offending
- Opportunityto really make a difference & empower others to make change
- Full-time, permanent role based in Christchurch
“Ehara taku toa I te toa takitahi engari he toa takitini”– Māori proverb (my strength is not the strength of my own, but the strength of many)
Mō te tūnga | About the role
Our Programme Facilitators work with people serving sentences within our prisons and in the community to support them to understand and address the causes of their offending and assist them to create crime-free futures. Programme Facilitators do this by delivering a range of clinically designed therapeutic programmes, either individually or with a co-facilitator.
These positions will be based in Christchurch and will see you facilitating programmes both in the community and within our custodial sites. Extensive training is provided to ensure you know the content well and this includes rigorous feedback and supervision that will enable you to reflect on your practice and hone your skills to be the best you can.
We\’re looking for people who can actively listen and are able to help people gain insight into their harmful behaviours. To undertake this role, you will need to be comfortable walking alongside people on their journey while consistently reflecting on your own practice.
Life experience is important to us. Along with an alignment to our values you will also be able to demonstrate the following:
- Excellent communication skills with a natural ability to engage and build relationships
- Cultural understanding including working under a tikangaMāoriframework
- Resilience and flexibility – no two days will be the same
- Self-insight, wellbeing with a focus on a strong work/life balance
- Understanding of de-escalation and conflict resolution
To support you in the role, it would be helpful though NOT essential for you to have an understanding of individual and group behaviour, and/or a relevant tertiary education in psychology, social work, counselling or other relevant qualifications along with demonstrated experience within this or a similar related area.
The starting salary for this position is $69, 965 – $ 77, 205 per annum depending on skills and experience relevant to the role. Once in the role, there are opportunities to increase your salary over time up to $88, 546 per annum.
Join Ara Poutama Aotearoa – Department of Corrections, where your work will contribute to improving public safety, reducing re-offending, and address the overrepresentation of Māori in correctional facilities. As a values-led organisation, we use the principles of rangatira (leadership), manaaki (respect), wairua (spirituality), kaitiaki (guardianship), and whānau (relationships) to guide our work and achieve the goals of our Hōkai Rangi strategy.
We value inclusion and diversity in our workforce, and as a Public Service organisation we are committed to building a workforce that reflects the public we serve. We strive to make our recruitment process fair, and we encourage you to discuss reasonable accommodations with us if required.
To submit an application and view the position description, click the apply link. All applications must be submitted through our careers site to ensure transparency – applications received via email will not be considered.
When applying, submit a tailored CV and a cover letter describing your motivation for joining the department highlighting relevant skills and experience and the alignment to our work.
Applications close on: Sunday 24th August 2025.
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Programme Facilitator - Canterbury employer: Department of Corrections NZ
Contact Detail:
Department of Corrections NZ Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Programme Facilitator - Canterbury
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the principles of tikanga Māori and how they apply to the role. Understanding these cultural frameworks will not only enhance your ability to connect with individuals but also demonstrate your commitment to the values of the organisation.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your life experience in your interactions. Be prepared to share relevant personal stories that highlight your resilience and ability to support others on their journey, as this can resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice active listening skills before your interview. This role requires excellent communication and relationship-building abilities, so being able to demonstrate these skills in a conversational setting will be crucial.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the Hōkai Rangi strategy and its goals. Understanding the broader context of the organisation's mission will help you articulate how your values align with theirs during the interview process.
We think you need these skills to ace Programme Facilitator - Canterbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored specifically for the Programme Facilitator role. Highlight relevant experience in working with individuals in challenging situations, and emphasise your communication skills and cultural understanding.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that clearly outlines your motivation for joining Ara Poutama Aotearoa. Discuss how your values align with theirs and provide examples of your resilience and ability to build relationships.
Showcase Relevant Experience: In both your CV and cover letter, showcase any experience you have in psychology, social work, or counselling. If you have life experiences that relate to the role, don’t hesitate to include them as they can demonstrate your understanding of the challenges faced by others.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial for this role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Department of Corrections NZ
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Programme Facilitator, excellent communication is key. Be prepared to demonstrate your ability to engage and build relationships during the interview. Use examples from your past experiences where you successfully communicated with diverse groups or individuals.
✨Emphasise Cultural Understanding
Given the importance of working under a tikanga Māori framework, make sure to highlight any relevant cultural experiences or knowledge you possess. Discuss how you can incorporate these understandings into your facilitation style.
✨Demonstrate Resilience and Flexibility
The role requires resilience and the ability to adapt to changing situations. Share specific instances where you faced challenges and how you managed to remain flexible and effective in your approach.
✨Reflect on Your Practice
Self-insight is crucial for this position. Be ready to discuss how you reflect on your own practice and what steps you take to improve. This could include seeking feedback, engaging in supervision, or pursuing further training.