Lead Advisor Regional Public Service, Te Tai Tokerau Northland Region
Date: 23 Dec 2025
Location: Northland, NZ
Company: Ministry of Social Development
Lead Advisor – Regional Public Service | Northland Region
- Fixed term / Secondment opportunity through to 30 June 2026
- Location: Based in Whangārei supporting the Northland Region
Our purpose
Manaaki tangata, manaaki whānau. We help New Zealanders to be safe, strong and independent.
As a Te Tiriti o Waitangi partner, MSD is committed to working alongside Māori, hapū, iwi and communities to enable aspirations, resilience and wellbeing. In Northland, this means working in genuine partnership, understanding place, and supporting locally led solutions to complex social challenges.
About the role | Mō te tūnga:
The Lead Advisor - Regional Public Service is a senior advisory role that plays a key part in shaping and enabling joined-up public service delivery across the Northland region.
The mandate for the Regional Public Service Commissioner and the Regional Leadership Framework is embedded in the Public Service Act 2020, which seeks to ensure New Zealand’s public service is modern, joined-up and citizen-focused. The Lead Advisor supports this mandate by enabling effective collaboration across agencies and strengthening collective leadership at a regional level.
Reporting to the Regional Commissioner, the role provides high-level strategic and operational advice to support the Regional Public Service Commissioner (RPSC) and the Regional Leadership Group (RLG). The Lead Advisor operates as a trusted advisor within the regional leadership system, working alongside peer roles (including the Regional Director) to influence, connect and progress regional priorities.
Your impact in the role will be achieved through credibility, influence, sound judgement and strong relationships across agencies, iwi, local government and community partners. It is well suited to someone who can operate confidently in complexity, navigate ambiguity, and translate national priorities into practical, regionally responsive action.
What you'll be responsible for:
- Providing high-quality strategic and operational advice to the RPSC, through the Regional Commissioner
- Supporting and progressing Regional Leadership Group priorities, initiatives and work programmes
- Working collaboratively with regional leaders and senior officials across agencies as a trusted peer and advisor
- Building and maintaining strong, effective relationships with iwi, local government, NGOs and public service partners across Northland
- Supporting place-based, cross-agency approaches that respond to the specific social and wellbeing needs of the region
- Coordinating and supporting inter-agency forums, working groups and priority projects
- Identifying emerging regional risks, opportunities and system pressures, and advising on mitigation and response
- Researching, drafting and delivering high-quality briefings, reports and communications for senior leaders
- Representing the RPSC or Regional Commissioner at forums and engagements as required
Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga:
What you bring | Ōu pūmanawatanga:
- Extensive experience providing advice and support to senior leaders within the public sector
- A proven ability to operate at a senior advisory level without direct authority, influencing outcomes through relationships and insight
- Experience working across organisational boundaries on complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives
- Strong judgement, political awareness and the ability to navigate ambiguity and competing priorities
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce clear, high-quality reports and briefings
- A strong understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and experience embedding Te Ao Māori into ways of working
- Knowledge of the Northland region, including iwi and stakeholder relationships, is highly desirable
Joining MSD means being part of a public service that values integrity, collaboration and service to communities. You’ll be working at the heart of regional leadership, helping enable better outcomes for Northland through connection, coordination and influence.
We are committed to a safe, inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you have any support or access requirements, please let us know when you apply.
Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $142,874.00 - $177,798.00
Appointment against the salary range will be made within this range based on skills, experience and internal relativities
How to apply
To apply, click Apply Now to submit your CV, cover letter and complete the online application form.
Your cover letter is a key part of the assessment process - please outline how your experience aligns with the responsibilities outlined above and in the position description.
- All applications must be submitted online.
- Internal MSD employees: please apply via your myHR portal
- For general queries only: contact jobs@msd.govt.nz
Closing date: 14 January 2025 at 1130pm
