Work Retention Specialist

Work Retention Specialist, Here Toitu Trial

• Fixed Term or Secondment Opportunity, Full Time
• Starting 27 October 2025 – 30th June 2027
• Located in Canterbury

An exciting new opportunity has come up to be part of MSD’s Employment team, who are working in partnership with Primary Health Organisation (PHO) Pegasus Health in Canterbury to deliver an innovative trial service called Here Toitū.

Here Toitū is a service through which whānau who are living with a health condition or disability are supported by a Dedicated Support Team (which includes Kaimanaaki [Health Navigators], General Practice teams, MSD Kaitohutohu [Advisors] and Work Retention Specialists). The aim is to support whānau to improve their health and wellbeing, and to move towards sustainable employment pathways.  

Here Toitü is currently delivered in partnership with ProCare Network Limited and National Hauora Coalition in Auckland, Pegasus Health in Canterbury and THINK Hauora in the wider Manawatü region. 

Mō te tūnga | About the role
 
As a member of the Dedicated Support Team, the Work Retention Specialist is essential to the Responding Early component of Here Toitū, which was first implemented in Manawatü in June 2021, and is being expanded to Auckland and Canterbury in December 2022.

This component of the service is aimed at employed people who are managing a health condition or disability and are at risk of losing their employment for health reasons. Work Retention Specialists support these people to retain their employment, or to find alternative employment that is suitable for them. 
 

You will achieve this by:

• Working with the Dedicated Support Team to support employment goals of participants.
• Providing employment and HR advice.
• Assisting employers to implement supports for people.
• Encouraging different job retention options to seek sustainable ways for people to retain employment.
• Creating strong networks within the wider community.

Ko wai koe | About you

To be considered for this role you will need to have: 

• Client-focused practice and highly developed motivational employment support skills.
• Recent or current experience working at HR advisory level in a generalist capacity including Employment Relations and recruitment.
• Sound knowledge of employment legislation and best practice.
• Experience working within the health and disability sector and recruitment industry.
• Knowledge of the local community and good insight and understanding of their needs including working with Mäori and Kaupapa Mäori based approaches.
• Partnership-focussed relationship management skills with the ability to persuade and influence.
• The ability to self-manage work autonomously.
• Is solution focused and confident in driving positive outcomes.
• Full New Zealand driver’s license and the ability to travel within the Canterbury region to meet job requirements.
   

If this sounds like you and you have experience where a focus on service, support and employment is paramount, we welcome your application. 
 
We will offer you:

• A mobile phone.
• A laptop.
• A dynamic and exciting work environment.
• Full training, regular coaching and professional development opportunities.

He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga | Position Description

Work Retention Specialist

Mō mātou | About us
 
The Ministry of Social Development is a people-centred organisation. We’re in communities across the motu, working with partners to help New Zealanders be safe, strong and independent.
 
We provide social policy and advice to government and assistance, including income, employment and housing support to people of all ages, families, whānau and communities.
 
As a Te Tiriti o Waitangi partner we are committed to supporting and enabling Māori, whānau, hapū, Iwi and communities to realise their own potential and aspirations.
 
Our people are as diverse as the communities we serve. We care about the wellbeing and success of our people and provide a supportive and inclusive working environment where people can thrive and be who they are.

Salary range: $79,200.00 - $95,873.00 - In line with skills and experience