Senior Connector | Permanent | Palmerston North
Date: 22 Dec 2025
Location: Palmerston North, NZ
Company: Ministry of Social Development
- Support a dedicated team to execute the principles and vision of Enabling Good Lives
- Join us in making a real difference, help ensure disabled people and their whānau can easily access the supports that matter most
- Permanent Palmerston North based role
Play a central role to the Enabling Good Lives (EGL) approach and contributes directly to the Palmerston North community.
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 a Senior Connector, you’ll mentor and guide Connectors, helping them build capability to support disabled people and whānau to achieve outcomes that matter most to them.
This role is central to the Enabling Good Lives approach and contributes directly to the transformation of the disability support system.
Please note this role is based in Palmerston North. To learn more about the Enabling Good Lives approach, visit https://www.enablinggoodlives.co.nz
Key responsibilities include:
- Coach, guide, and mentor team members to grow skills and knowledge.
- Support the Director/Lead Connector with team performance, feedback, and development conversations.
- Lead continuous improvement of processes and frameworks to achieve the EGL vision.
- Manage and monitor Connector caseloads and provide expertise on complex cases.
- Deliver high-quality advice and creative solutions to achieve EGL outcomes.
- Build strong relationships with disabled people, whānau, service providers, and 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:
- Proven experience working with disabled people and whānau in complex situations.
- Strong leadership, coaching, and mentoring skills.
- Understanding of the EGL vision and principles, and ability to apply them in practice.
- Knowledge of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and experience engaging with Māori and Pasifika communities.
- Excellent relationship-building skills and ability to influence without authority.
- Advanced planning, organisational, and problem-solving skills.
- Resilience, adaptability, and a strong client focus.
Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga:
A copy of the position description can be found here: Senior Connector, position description
Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $102,533.00 - $124,402.00
Applications close | Ka kati ngā tono hei te: Sunday 18 January 2026.
About us | Mō mātou:
The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) 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.
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.
How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono:
To apply, click the 'Apply Now' button to upload your CV, cover letter and complete the online application form.
Note: Your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the key responsibilities listed in the position description.
All applications must be made online. If this is not possible or if you have any queries, please contact us at jobs@msd.govt.nz
Internal MSD Employees – please apply through your myHR portal at work. This will ensure that your myHR employee profile is visible as internal candidate.
Joining us | Ko te hono mai:
Joining MSD means being part of a whānau that celebrates the diversity each individual represents.
We show manaaki, we care about the wellbeing and success of people and want everyone to thrive and be who they are in a supportive and inclusive working environment.
We work together to make a difference for communities while doing the right thing with integrity. You can find out more about our values here.
If you have any support or accessibility requirements, we encourage you to tell us when you apply so we can assist you through the recruitment process.
