Senior Advisor, Service Provider Audits | Wellington
Date: 11 Sept 2025
Location: Wellington, NZ
Company: Ministry of Social Development
- Be part of a values driven team committed to driving high quality disability support services for disabled people we support.
- Work in a dynamic, supportive environment to build service provider capability and maturity.
- Influence evidence-informed quality service delivery and contribute to a continuous learning culture.
Join Disability Support Services (DSS), in a quality assurance key role where you’ll lead complex programmes, provide strategic advice, and help strengthen the disability support system through collaboration and continuous improvement.
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:
We’re looking for a passionate and strategic Senior Advisor to help shape the future of Disability Support Services (DSS) through a continuous improvement culture, based in Wellington national office.
This is a pivotal role where your leadership and experience will directly influence service quality, provider capability, and outcomes for disabled people.
You’ll lead complex assurance work programmes, provide high-level strategic and operational advice, and engage with internal and external stakeholders.
A key part of your mahi will be working closely with providers to help them grow and mature, ensuring services are consistent, person-centred, and aligned with best practice.
Please note: This role is Wellington based.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading and supporting our enhanced quality audit programme, across our funded disability service providers, focusing on learning, improvement, and accountability.
- Providing expert advice that strengthens service quality, safeguards rights, and promotes best practice.
- Collaborating with our strategic audit partner, providers, whānau, and internal teams to drive continuous improvement.
- Analyse trends, identify systemic risks, and translate audit insights into actionable recommendations that shape policy, commissioning, practice change and improvements.
- Champion transparency, consistency, and sector alignment in how we measure and improve service quality.
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:
- Knowledge and experience of disability support service delivery across Aotearoa
- Proven experience working in auditing, compliance, or quality assurance settings, ideally in health, disability, or social services would be invaluable
- A deep understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and a commitment to equity for disabled people.
- Strong relationship building skills, with proven experience working collaboratively across government and non-government settings.
- A sharp eye for detail and a systems-thinking mindset.
- Strong written communication skills, with the ability to translate technical information, and craft reports and for diverse audiences, including senior leaders and Ministers.
Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga:
A copy of the position description can be found here. Senior Advisor Provider Audits position description.
Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $103,815.00 - $125,958.00
Applications close | Ka kati ngā tono hei te: Thursday 25 September 2025.
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.
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.
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.
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.
If you have any support or accessibility requirements, we encourage you to tell us when you apply so we can assist you through the recruitment process.
