The Strategic Crisis Management Directorate leads, coordinates and supports the Officials’ Committee for Domestic and External Security Coordination (ODESC system) of strategic crisis management to deliver a secure and resilient New Zealand.
The Strategic Crisis Management Directorate’s has three main responsibilities:
- First point of contact for emerging risks: The Directorate is the first place agencies can go when concerned about emerging strategic risks which may lead to a crisis response. It also provides secretariat support for ODESC system activations.
- Guiding Complex Responses: The Directorate provides thought leadership to help the ODESC system manage complex crises. This includes setting strategic direction, agreeing on priorities, considering risks in a broad and integrated way, and ensuring resources are used efficiently.
- Supporting Decision-Making: The Directorate supports the Prime Minister and senior officials in making timely and well-informed decisions by providing them with accurate and reliable information.
The Strategic Crisis Management Directorate also works with central government agencies to strengthen their overall readiness capabilities, look for ways to minimise consequences to nationally significant crises, and ensure more effective strategic responses. This includes:
- Leading the strategic National Exercise Programme through at least four annual simulated activations of the ODESC system.
- Conducting ODESC system debriefs once a response is deactivated to enable a culture of continuous improvement and enhance agencies’ readiness.
- Providing agencies with education and guidance on ODESC system roles and responsibilities.
- Publishing and maintaining the National Resilience System Handbook.