Clinical Advisor
Date: 11 Sept 2025
Location: Wellington, NZ
Company: Ministry of Social Development
- Provide clinical leadership and strategic advice across DSS in driving service quality improvement initiatives and the implementation of standards.
- Drive high-quality and informed decision-making through evidence-based practice and data analysis across diverse care settings.
- Support complex case resolution, and stewardship under the Forensic Intellectual Disability High and Complex Framework.
In this pivotal role, you will provide expert clinical advice and guidance to inform policy, service design, and commissioning decisions. You will work across diverse care settings ensuring services are safe, person-centred, and deliver better outcomes for the disabled people who use them, adopting a continuous improvement lens.
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:
This is a strategic and influential role providing clinical leadership across Disability Support Services (DSS).
You’ll work closely with the General Manager, Quality Assurance and Improvement, and the DSS Executive Leadership Team to ensure high-quality, safe, and person-centred disability support services.
You’ll lead and inform the development and implementation of quality assurance and improvement systems, provide expert advice on complex cases, including monitoring and analysis of critical incident trends, and strengthen clinical governance across DSS.
This role also supports the stewardship of services under the High and Complex Framework, aligned with the Intellectual Disability (Compulsory Care and Rehabilitation) Act 2003.
Please note: This role is Wellington based.
Key responsibilities include:
- Providing strategic clinical leadership across DSS commissioning, funding, and stewardship functions
- Leading and informing quality assurance and improvement initiatives using evidence-based best practice
- Offering expert advice on complex cases and supporting resolution strategies
- Support the management and implementation of the High and Complex Framework and related legislative compliance requirements
- Building strong relationships across government agencies and the disability sector
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:
- An experienced health or disability professional with strong clinical expertise and a passion for system improvement.
- You will thrive in complex environments, can translate clinical knowledge into practical solutions, and are comfortable engaging with diverse stakeholders.
- Proven experience in providing clinical and regulatory advice in a New Zealand health and disability settings
- Registered health practitioner with a current Annual Practising Certificate
- Deep knowledge of the Intellectual Disability (Compulsory Care and Rehabilitation) Act 2003
- Sound understanding of the New Zealand health and disability sector
- Familiarity with clinical pathways and published guidance locally and internationally
- Solid understanding of the Machinery of Government
- Exceptional communication skills, both written and oral.
- Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and improving outcomes for disabled people.
Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga:
A copy of the position description can be found here. Clinical Advisor position description can be found here.
Salary range | Utu-ā-tau:
We anticipate placing this role within the indicative range of $161,811 - $214,131.
Applications close | Ka kati ngā tono hei te: Thursday 25 September 2025.
About us | Mō mātou:
The Ministry of Social Development 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.
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.
