Principal Advisor to the GM Design, Delivery and Data | Wellington | 6 month fixed term

About our team | Mō te tīma:

The Disability Support Services (DSS) Group is responsible for commissioning, funding, and stewarding high-quality services that support disabled people, their families, and whānau. 

We’re building leadership and management capacity across our teams to deliver both change and business-as-usual effectively. 

We work closely with providers, stakeholders, and communities to ensure services are fair, consistent, transparent and sustainable. With a strong focus on performance monitoring, data, and insights, we’re committed to continuous improvement and evidence-based decision-making.

It’s an exciting time to join DSS as we strengthen our systems and expand our capabilities. 

We’re looking for passionate people to help us achieve our goals and make a meaningful impact.

About the role | Mō te tūnga:

The Principal Advisor is a key strategic advisor to the General Manager of Design, Delivery & Data, providing high level strategic, technical and analytical leadership for the Group. 

Working closely with senior leaders and colleagues across DSS, you will help shape strategy, identify opportunities, mitigate risks and ensure work programmes are aligned, evidence informed and focused on achieving both strategic and operational objectives.

This is a 6-month fixed term role based in Wellington. 

Key responsibilities include:

• Support the General Manager with strategic direction and business planning, contributing to wider DSS strategic planning 
• Contribute to the development of strategic initiatives, frameworks and policies that support organisational transformation and improved outcomes 
• Provide leadership for programmes and projects, ensuring work is well planned, monitored and delivered through high quality advice 
• Produce clear, accurate and insightful written analysis that communicates issues, options and recommendations effectively 
• Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships across DSS, government agencies, service providers and the disability community 
• Act as a trusted advisor to leaders, providing credible advice on statutory and regulatory obligations and implementation of government decisions 
• Identify organisational risks, escalate as appropriate, and keep leaders informed of risks that may impact the success of DSS
   

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. 

What you bring | Ōu pūmanawatanga:

• Demonstrated expertise navigating public sector and community service systems, with strong understanding of government structures, policy environments and cross sector initiatives 
• Significant knowledge and experience working in the disability sector 
• Proven experience providing senior technical leadership or expertise across strategic and operational work programmes and service delivery processes 
• Experience designing and implementing mechanisms to gather and use evidence, including lived experience, evaluations, audits and data 
• Strong capability across research, evidence and analytical methods, including emerging and innovative approaches 
• Ability to apply critical thinking and sound judgement to provide high quality strategic advice 
• Experience influencing and engaging stakeholders across sectors 

Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga:

A copy of the position description can be found here. Principal Advisor position description.

Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $142,874.00 - $177,798.00