Senior Advisor, Strategy and Performance
Date: 19 May 2026
Location: Wellington, NZ
Company: Ministry of Social Development
• Full-time, permanent and fixed term opportunities through to February 2027
• Wellington based
Are you an experienced strategy and performance senior advisor ready for a new challenge? This is an exciting opportunity to support the development and delivery of MSD’s organisational strategy, performance and accountability documents and make a real impact across the Ministry.
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:
As a Senior Advisor, Strategy and Performance, you’ll provide high quality technical advice and project management that supports the Ministry to meet its accountability and reporting obligations. Working closely with the Principal Advisors and Manager, you’ll help ensure the Ministry’s organisational strategy, performance, accountability, and reporting processes are well integrated and aligned with best practice.
You’ll play a key role in developing and coordinating core accountability products, supporting organisational strategy development, and strengthening how performance information and insights are used across the Ministry.
This includes contributing to key documents such as the Strategic Intentions, Estimates of Appropriations, Quarterly and Annual Reports, and other accountability and reporting requirements.
What you bring | Ōu pūmanawatanga:
To be successful in this role, you’ll be an experienced advisor with expertise in organisational strategy, accountability processes and performance measurement, ideally within a public sector or similarly complex environment.
You’ll bring:
• Demonstrated experience supporting organisational strategy, accountability and performance reporting processes.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to lead complex projects involving multiple stakeholders and deliver to statutory deadlines.
• Excellent writing skills, with the ability to turn complex information and data into clear, well‑reasoned advice for senior audiences.
• Experience developing performance measures and preparing non‑financial performance information to support organisational decision‑making.
• Strong relationship management and communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across teams and engage confidently with senior internal and external stakeholders.
• A proactive and adaptable approach, with sound judgement, political awareness and a genuine commitment to continuous improvement.
Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga:
Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $103,815.00 - $125,958.00
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: Sunday 7th 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.
