Portfolio Manager
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.
Mō te tīma / About our team
The Disability Support Services (DSS) Group leads the disability support services system in New Zealand and works to ensure fair access to disability support services, prioritizing those with the greatest needs.
Through the DSS Review Programme, the Group is focused on implementing key recommendations from the Independent Review of Disability Support Services to deliver consistent, equitable services, prioritize high-needs individuals, and strengthen the long-term sustainability of the system, whilst upholding Enabling Good Lives (EGL) principles.
Te āhua o te tūranga / About the role:
We are seeking a passionate and dedicated person to join our DSS team as a Portfolio Manager and play a key role in commissioning of services. This includes planning, procuring for outcomes, negotiating, managing and monitoring contracts for services delivering disability support.
As a Portfolio Manager, you will be responsible for commissioning the provision of high-quality services, establishing effective relationships with service providers, disability communities and other key stakeholders in the disability sector.
As DSS continues to stabilise and strengthen the system, the Portfolio Manager role, as a pivotal position in leading commissioning activity, may evolve to meet the needs of the DSS business (Group).
Key Responsibilities:
- Commissioning of disability support to achieve better outcomes. This includes contributing to the design, planning, prioritisation and development of disability services.
- Procuring services for enhanced outcomes.
- Measuring, analysing, assessing, monitoring and evaluating providers and support (this includes assessing quality, cost, standards and service levels).
- Managing performance of third party commissioned providers to ensure contractual outcomes and performance expectations are met. This includes proactively addressing any under-performance and ensuring value for money.
- Responding to Ministerial requests, OIAs, and information provision in a timely and effective way.
- Build and maintain open, transparent, and effective relationships with service providers.
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.
This role is based in Wellington.
Nōu te rourou | What you bring:
- Experience in commissioning social services
- Strong business acumen
- Excellent procurement and contract management skills
- The ability to measure, analyse, assess, and monitor data
- The ability to manage performance, ensuring the delivery of high-quality outcomes that meet the needs of disabled people
- A strong understanding of the machinery of Government and the New Zealand disability sector
- Experience in managing complex projects and service development initiatives
- Excellent relationship management skills, with a focus on effective communication, trust-building, and conflict resolution
- Ability to work independently with advanced administration, process, and systems knowledge
- The ability to work collaboratively with disabled individuals, whānau, and service providers
- Enthusiasm and a positive attitude with the ability for problem solving within a complex environment
Position Description
A copy of the position description can be found here. Portfolio Manager position description.
Salary range: $103,071.00 - $128,265.00
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, 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: Thursday 10 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.
