Clinical Lead | Wellington | Permanent
Date: 26 May 2026
Location: Wellington, NZ
Company: Ministry of Social Development
- Provide senior clinical leadership that shapes high quality, safe and person‑centred disability support services nationwide
- Play a pivotal role in strengthening quality, safeguarding and clinical governance across Disability Support Services
- Influence commissioning, service design and stewardship decisions at a system and service level
This is a senior clinical leadership role that brings a strong multi-disciplinary clinical perspective into the commissioning, design and stewardship of disability support services.
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 are continuing to build and strengthen our leadership and management capacity across our teams to deliver both change and core business activities more 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 Clinical Lead, you will provide strategic clinical leadership across Disability Support Services, shaping safe, effective, equitable, person-centred service models.
Reporting to the General Manager, Quality Assurance & Improvement, this role is based at the national office, providing strategic clinical leadership and expert advice across Disability Support Services, including services delivered under the High and Complex Framework, ensuring decisions are informed by robust clinical expertise, evidence and safeguarding principles.
Working closely with senior leaders and sector partners, you will strengthen quality and oversight, advise on complex clinical needs and risks — including services under the High and Complex Framework — and contribute to improved outcomes for disabled people and whānau.
Key responsibilities include:
- Provide senior clinical leadership and advice across commissioning, quality assurance, improvement and stewardship
- Embed clinical expertise into DSS strategy, planning and decision-making
- Strengthen clinical oversight of quality, safeguarding and continuous improvement systems
- Lead advice on complex clinical needs, risks and issues — including High and Complex services
- Influence the design and redevelopment of disability support services to ensure safe, effective and person-centred outcomes
- Build and maintain strong relationships with sector partners, government agencies, and Māori and iwi 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:
- Registered health practitioner with a current practising certificate
- Significant experience providing senior clinical advice across the disability and health care sectors in New Zealand
- Proven ability to apply clinical expertise to commissioning, service design or system-level improvement
- Strong understanding of models of care, complex needs, safeguarding, and quality improvement frameworks
- Ability to integrate multidisciplinary perspectives into strategic decision-making
- Knowledge of relevant legislation (including IDCC&R Act 2003)
- Strong understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and commitment to equitable outcomes
- Highly developed influencing, relationship management and strategic leadership skills
Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga:
A copy of the position description can be found here. Clinical Lead position description.
Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $163,429.00 - $217,905.00
Applications close | Ka kati ngā tono hei te: Wednesday 10 June 2026.
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:
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, 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.
