Clinical and Disability Lead | Wellington
Date: 9 Jun 2026
Location: Wellington, NZ
Company: Ministry of Social Development
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.
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.
About the role | Mō te tūnga:
• Office based role in Wellington
• Permanent role based at National Office
• 0.6 – 0.8FTE (minimum 24 hours, three days per week, up to 32 hours, four days per week), with flexibility to support ongoing clinical practice
• Occasional travel may be required
The Clinical and Disability Lead is a senior leadership role providing national Health and Disability expertise to support the Ministry’s Service Delivery to clients.
Working closely with the Chief Clinical Advisor and Lead Vocational Advisor Advisor (Health and Disability), you will lead the development and delivery of guidance, tools, and training that build capability across frontline and regional teams.
You will also provide professional expertise to Regional Health Advisors and Regional Disability Advisors, promoting and influencing consistent, quality practice, joined up approaches, and a strong focus on improving outcomes for clients.
The role also will supports the Ministry’s ‘second opinion’ and appeals processes by providing training, guidance and quality assurance of Designated Health Practitioners and Medical Appeal Board members.
You will be a registered medical practitioner, with the New Zealand Medical Council and hold a current practicing certificate. Flexibility will be supported to maintain practicing certificates.
What you bring | Ōu pūmanawatanga
• Significant clinical experience in the health and/or disability sector with a solid understanding of how health conditions and disabilities affect a person’s ability to work, and the supports that help people move into sustainable employment
• Experience in long term condition/disability management, work capacity and rehabilitation
• Proven ability to communicate and articulate potential resolutions or strategies in a clear, compelling, and tailored manner to address specific challenges or meet organisational needs
• Skilled in cultivating and sustaining positive interpersonal connections, fostering trust, collaboration, and effective communication to support enduring professional relationships
• Confident in identifying potential stakeholders, analyse their expectations, and develop strategies for managing stakeholders and their expectations
• Strategic thinking with operational understanding
• Experience in developing and delivering engaging learning material for a variety of audiences
• Established relationships within the health and/or disability sector
What’s in it for you | Nōu te rourou
Opportunity to shape national practice and improve outcomes for New Zealanders.
Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga:
Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $163,429.00 - $217,905.00
Salary range is for full-time and will be prorated
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.
Closing date: 22 June 2026
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. We are a Treaty partner committed to strengthening relationships with Māori, Hapū, Iwi and communities to realise their own potential and aspirations.
If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to tell us when you apply so we can assist you through the recruitment process.
MSD has a COVID-19 vaccination policy that encourages, but does not require, employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and its variants, unless the role is identified as requiring vaccination at the time.
