Lead Advisor - Portfolio and Programme team
Date: 27 Mar 2025
Location: Wellington, NZ
Company: Ministry of Social Development
About us
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.
Lead Advisor - Portfolio and Programme team
• National Office, Wellington based
• Permanent opportunity
• Want to be part of a team that supports meaningful work in the community?
We are seeking a Lead Advisor in the Portfolio and Programme team within Services and Contracts Management.
About the Team / Mō te tīma
The Māori, Communities and Partnerships Group is responsible for building capability across MSD to support the aspirations of Māori and connecting and collaborating to build effective partnerships and community approaches that achieve better outcomes for those who most need our support.
The Service and Contracts Management team is responsible for managing social service procurement and contracts with service providers and partners throughout New Zealand on behalf of MSD.
About the Role / Mō te tūnga
As a Lead Advisor, you will support the Portfolio and Programme team to deliver on its goals, with a focus on one of five core portfolios. You’ll maintain a strong understanding of the pipeline of work and ensure that customer requirements are clearly defined and well planned.
You’ll also support the Manager by building strong relationships with internal stakeholders, acting as a key link between our customers and SCM teams. You’ll play an important role in commissioning these teams to deliver work that meets the needs and expectations of the portfolio.
We are looking for a Lead Advisor who can:
- Build strong relationships with customers and across all SCM teams to enable the smooth transition of work through functional steps, ensuring open and transparent communication.
- Bring a sound working knowledge of procurement and contracting in a social service environment.
- Work collaboratively with the Manager and team to ensure portfolio work is included in the “all of MSD” prioritisation planning process and that shared services required are identified and obtained.
- Take ownership to ensure detailed planning remains current and well communicated.
Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako / Skills and experience
To be successful in this role, you will bring:
- A relevant qualification or equivalent work experience.
- Experience in social service contract management or procurement operations, ideally in a large organisation.
- Proven experience in delivering projects and programmes, including managing risks, analysing business needs, and achieving outcomes.
- Strong understanding of legislative and policy frameworks, with the ability to apply them operationally.
- Experience working with machinery of government processes, systems, and tools.
- Solid understanding of operational policy and the factors that may impact it.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to influence and engage effectively at all levels.
- A proven ability to build and maintain strong working relationships, including with senior leaders and cross-functional teams.
- Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to develop practical, fit-for-purpose solutions.
- Ability to work at pace, balancing planned and unplanned work while maintaining high standards.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and relevant communication tools.
- An understanding of the social sector and social sector commissioning.
Position Description
Salary range: $120,870.00 - $150,416.00
How to apply
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 outline in your cover letter:
• Why you are interested in the position
• What experience, skills, and attributes you will bring to the role
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: Sunday 6th April, 2025.
Joining us
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.
