Regional Disability Advisor | Waikato Region
Date: 21 Aug 2026
Location: Waikato, NZ
Company: Ministry of Social Development
About the role | Mō te tūranga
As a Regional Disability Advisor, you will provide specialist advice and guidance to frontline staff on the impact of health conditions, injuries, and disabilities on a person's participation in employment and community life.
Working across the Waikato region, you will support staff to make informed decisions about employment pathways, work readiness, and appropriate interventions that help clients achieve positive outcomes.
The role combines specialist disability and vocational expertise with relationship management, influencing, and advisory responsibilities. You will work closely with frontline teams, health practitioners, disability providers, and community organisations to identify practical solutions that support clients to participate in employment and move towards greater independence where appropriate.
You will be part of a national network of Regional Health and Disability Advisors, supported by Principal Advisors based in National Office.
What you'll be doing | Ko te mahi
• Provide specialist advice on the impact of health conditions, injuries, and disabilities on employment participation
• Support frontline staff to identify appropriate interventions, supports, and employment pathways
• Assess medical and vocational information to inform recommendations and decision making
• Build effective relationships with health practitioners, disability support providers, and community organisations
• Contribute to the development of capability within frontline teams through coaching and advice
• Promote consistent, evidence-based approaches across the region
• Support MSD's commitment to equitable outcomes for clients, whānau, and communities
What you bring | Ōu pūmanawatanga
• Significant experience within health, disability, rehabilitation, vocational services, occupational health, or a related field
• Strong understanding of disability supports, rehabilitation services, and employment participation frameworks
• Experience providing specialist advice and influencing decision-making
• Strong relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills
• Ability to analyse information from multiple sources and provide clear, practical recommendations
• Excellent written communication and report-writing skills
• Sound judgement and the ability to navigate complex situations
• Understanding of, and commitment to, Te Tiriti o Waitangi and improving equitable outcomes for Māori
A relevant tertiary qualification in health, rehabilitation, disability, occupational therapy, vocational services, or a related discipline would be highly desirable.
What we offer | He aha tā mātou e tuku
• Opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of clients and whānau
• Professional development and ongoing support
• Access to a national network of specialist advisors
• Exposure to complex and rewarding work across the Waikato region
• A collaborative and supportive team environment
Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga
You can copy and paste the link into your web browser: http://www.msd.govt.nz/hr/documents/position-descriptions/dce-service-delivery/client-service-delivery/regional-disability-advisor.docx
Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $103,815.00 - $125,958.00
In your cover letter, please respond to the following questions (maximum 1,500 characters each):
Question 1
Describe a situation where you provided specialist advice or guidance that influenced an employment, rehabilitation, or service delivery outcome. What was your approach and what was the result?
Question 2
How have you built effective relationships with health practitioners, providers, or other stakeholders to improve outcomes for the people you support?
Applications close | Ka kati ngā tono hei te: Monday 31 August 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 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.
How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono
Before you submit your application, please take a moment to review our guidance to understand how AI can best support your application. Candidate Guidance - Responsible AI use in recruitment
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. Please highlight how your skills and experience relate to the key responsibilities listed in the position description and job advertisement.
All applications must be made online. If this is not possible or if you have any queries, please contact Oralee Hapi - Manager Regional Services on Oralee.Hapi001@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.
