Senior Advisor - Ministerial Services
Date: 13 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 the role | Mō te tūnga:
- Ministry of Youth Development – Te Manatū Whakahiato Taiohi
- Location: Wellington
- Type: Full time Fixed-term/Secondment until June 2026
- Providing high-quality Ministerial support services with a focus on young people.
Are you a skilled communicator with a sharp eye for detail and a passion for public service? Do you thrive in fast-paced environments where your work directly supports Ministers and senior leaders, and have an interest in the delivery of youth-focused policy and programmes?
We’re looking for a Senior Advisor to join the Ministry for Youth Development’s (MYD) Ministerial Services team which is responsible for leading and coordinating the delivery of high-quality ministerial servicing for the Minister for Youth and their office, and providing advice and support to senior leaders on machinery of government processes related to the Youth portfolio.
What you’ll do:
• Provide strategic advice and quality assurance across ministerial and executive servicing functions, including the development of briefings, and responses to correspondence, Parliamentary questions, and Official Information Act requests.
• Lead responses to complex and sensitive ad-hoc requests, ensuring timeliness and accuracy.
• Build strong relationships across the Ministry and with the Private Secretary Youth.
• Support continuous improvement of systems, processes, and capability within the team.
• Contribute to a positive, collaborative team culture that values integrity, excellence, and youth voice.
What you bring | Ōu pūmanawatanga:
• Proven experience in ministerial servicing, public sector communications, or policy.
• Excellent writing, editing, and analytical skills.
• Strong understanding of machinery of government and Cabinet/Parliamentary processes.
• Experience of prioritising in an often busy and complex environment and applying sound judgement when dealing with competing deadlines.
Why join us?
At the Ministry for Youth Development, we’re passionate about amplifying the voices of young people and supporting their wellbeing and aspirations. You’ll be part of a small, high-performing team that works closely with senior leaders and the office of the Minister for Youth to support the Government’s investment in strength-based youth development.
We offer flexible working arrangements, a supportive and inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga:
Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $103,815.00 - $125,958.00
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: Tuesday 21st 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.
