Principal Advisor Enabling Good Lives | Fixed term or Secondment opportunity

About our team | Mō te tīma

The Disability Support Services (DSS) Group is responsible for commissioning, funding, and stewarding high-quality services that support disabled people, their families, and whānau.

We’re building leadership and management capacity across our teams to deliver both change and business-as-usual effectively.

We work closely with providers, stakeholders, and communities to ensure services are fair, consistent, transparent and sustainable. With a strong focus on performance monitoring, data, and insights, we’re committed to continuous improvement and evidence-based decision-making.

It’s an exciting time to join DSS as we strengthen our systems and expand our capabilities.

We’re looking for passionate people to help us achieve our goals and make a meaningful impact.

About the role | Mō te tūnga

As Principal Advisor EGL, you will be a trusted advisor to the National Director EGL and a key contributor to the strategic direction of Disability Support Services (DSS).

You will help lead the delivery of transformational initiatives, support the strengthening of EGL Practice and influence policy, practice and service delivery across government and the disability sector.

This is a fixed term or secondment opportunity ending 30 June 2027 and can be based at one of our EGL sites in Palmerston North, Hamilton or Christchurch or in our National Office in Wellington.

Key responsibilities include:

• Provide high-quality strategic advice and support to the National Director EGL and act on their behalf when required.
• Lead thought leadership, continuous improvement initiatives and the development of insights to support better outcomes for disabled people.
• Drive the successful delivery of EGL-aligned projects, programmes and strategic work across Disability Support Services.
• Contribute expert advice to Ministers, senior leaders and government agencies on disability transformation and Enabling Good Lives.
• Strengthen and support Enabling Good Lives practice across Aotearoa and support the ongoing embedding of the principles within Disability Support Services
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with disabled people, tāngata Whaikaha Māori, whānau, disability communities, providers and government stakeholders.

We value diversity and welcome applications from disabled people and those who have lived experience with whānau, or the disability community.

Please contact us if there is any support that we can provide to ensure the recruitment process is accessible to you. 

What you bring | Ōu pūmanawatanga

• Significant experience leading the design, implementation and evolution of the Enabling Good Lives approach.
• Proven ability to provide strategic and operational advice in complex environments.
• Strong experience leading projects, programmes of work and organisational change initiatives.
• Outstanding written communication skills, including experience preparing advice and reports for senior leaders and government audiences.
• A deep understanding of the disability sector and the aspirations of disabled people, tāngata Whaikaha Māori and their whānau.
• Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships and influence across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Well-developed understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its application within the public sector.
• Experience coaching, mentoring and building capability in others.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to turn insights into action.

Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga

A copy of the position description can be found here. Principal Advisor EGL position description. 

Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $142,874.00 - $177,798.00