Principal Advisor, Strategy and Insights
Date: 1 Oct 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.
About our team | Mō te tīma:
The Strategy and Insights group helps the Ministry make informed decisions by providing useful evidence and insights. We also support better investment choices, track and report on performance, and deliver the Ministry’s accountability documents.
This role is based in the Office of the Deputy Chief Executive, but will work across Strategy & Insights. The office provides centralised advice, engagement and coordination on key work within the group and MSD, as well as with Ministers and across the social sector.
About the role | Mō te tūnga:
• Permanent
• Wellington-based
• Generalist role
Join us as a Principal Advisor in a varied and influential role.
The Principal Advisor provides high level strategic advice and support to the Deputy Chief Executive and the Director, Office of the DCE. The primary focus will be on increasing the impact, influence and reach of our strategic advice to decision makers.
As a Principal Advisor, you will:
• Support and advise leaders on areas of opportunity to improve the performance and success of the group.
• Lead or participate in significant projects or initiatives on priority focus areas for the group.
• Manage issues on behalf of the DCE.
This is a generalist role - you could come from a range of different backgrounds including, but not limited to, strategy, change, policy, or communications. Familiarity with the use of evidence would be an advantage.
What you bring | Ōu pūmanawatanga:
We are looking for a highly experienced person with strong political nous who can influence decision makers, champion change and continuous improvement, and work collaboratively with a wide range of people.
To be successful in this role, you must be/have:
• Significant public sector experience, navigating government structures and processes, both internally and externally.
• Strong writing skills and an ability to quickly provide succinct, robust well-reasoned advice and reports to decision-makers and key stakeholders.
• An established record of influencing and providing advice at a senior leadership level.
• Agility, and excellent problem-solving and issues management skills.
• Understanding of the relevance of the Treaty of Waitangi to the work being undertaken.
• Tertiary qualification in a relevant discipline, or equivalent experience.
We encourage you to apply if you like variety in your work, and are ready to be part of a dynamic and influential area.
Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga:
Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $142,874.00 - $177,798.00
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: Sunday 12th October, 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.
