Lead Vocational Advisor | 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 Lead Vocational Advisor (Health and Disability) provides national-level vocational leadership and expert advice to support MSD to enable safe, sustainable movement toward employment for people living with health conditions and disabilities.
Working closely with the Chief Clinical Advisor and Clinical and Disability Lead, you will strengthen employment-focused practice by supporting frontline and regional teams to understand functional capacity, work readiness, and apply practical, graduated, appropriate pathways into employment.
You will lead the development and delivery of training, tools, and practice guidance, ensuring consistent and evidence-based approaches, while contributing vocational expertise to policy, contracting, and operational design across the organisation.
You will also bring a sector-wide lens, maintaining awareness of external best practice and working collaboratively with relevant organisations (such as vocational assessment providers, professional bodies, and rehabilitation services) to ensure MSD’s approach remains informed, connected, and effective.
What you bring | Ōu pūmanawatanga
• A relevant clinical or rehabilitation qualification (e.g. occupational therapy, physiotherapy, vocational rehabilitation) with current professional registration
• Experience delivering vocational or work-capacity assessments and translating insights into practical guidance
• Strong understanding of supporting people with health conditions or disabilities into sustainable employment pathways
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly and influence a wide range of stakeholders
• Experience in developing and delivering engaging learning material for a variety of audiences
• Established relationships within the health, disability, and rehabilitation sectors
• Proven ability to build trusted, collaborative relationships across teams
What’s in it for you | Nōu te rourou
This is an opportunity to shape national practice and make a meaningful impact for New Zealanders.
You’ll join a collaborative, purpose-driven organisation committed to equity, inclusion, and improving outcomes for communities.
Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga:
Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $122,381.00 - $152,296.00
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.
