Advisor Business Service Design and Readiness | Wellington
Date: 20 Oct 2026
Location: Wellington, NZ
Company: Ministry of Social Development
- Both permanent and fixed term or secondment opportunities available
- Based at National Office in Wellington
About our team | Mō te tīma
New Zealand is changing, and so are we. MSD is transforming to build a smarter, simpler, more responsive welfare system.
This is a rare opportunity to help shape a once-in-a-generation transformation to deliver better outcomes for New Zealanders. Join a multidisciplinary team driving people-led, technology-enabled change at scale.
Business Service Design & Readiness sits within the Transformation Group and helps turn MSD’s future direction into clear, connected and practical designs. The team works across transformation and the wider organisation to bring together customer, service, process, workforce and technology perspectives, supporting decisions that are aligned, evidence informed and ready to move towards delivery.
About the role | Mō te tūnga
As an Advisor, you’ll support the Business Service Design and Readiness teams, in transforming how MSD delivers services for New Zealanders. Working in a strategic space with intent to support practical, customer-centred solutions that are valuable, achievable and ready for delivery. You'll influence transformation decisions, connect with people and ideas from across the organisation, and help design MSD - Services for the Future.
We are looking for Advisors with experience working at pace and with the ability to contribute to work on strategic documents, provide considerations on work requiring analysis, practical advice, implementation and delivery across MSD’s Transformation Programme. Working within established frameworks and guidance, you will help develop strategic direction and clear, concise written and verbal communication.
You’ll work collaboratively with programme teams and stakeholders to align activity, manage day-to-day dependencies and help resolve delivery issues. Along with your ability to build and maintain strong working relationships you’ll show resilience with complex work, conflicting deadlines and ambiguity.
What you bring | Ōu pūmanawatanga
- Clear, succinct written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to adapt information for different audiences.
- Strong organisational and planning skills
- Proven ability to deliver at pace to tight timeframes in a complex environment
- Proven resilience with ambiguity
- Collaborate, contribute and work well within a team environment
- Ability to foster positive and co-operative working relationships with stakeholders
- Demonstrate initiative and commitment to the team’s programme and priorities
- Experience supporting projects, programmes, transformation initiatives in a complex organisation
Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga
A copy of the position description can be found here. Advisor, position description
Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $79,200.00 - $95,873.00
Applications close | Ka kati ngā tono hei te: 11.59pm, Wednesday 28 October 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 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.
