Senior Advisor/Advisor- Safe, Strong Families and Communities
Date: 24 Mar 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.
Senior Advisor/Advisor- Safe, Strong Families and Communities
- Join a fun, dynamic and inclusive working environment
- National Office, Wellington based
- Permanent opportunities
About the Team / Mō te tīma
Safe, Strong Families and Communities at MSD supports a wide range of programmes and initiatives aimed at preventing and reducing vulnerability and harm for individuals, whānau and communities. We also fund and manage several key relationships with the social services sector.
Our ongoing work programme currently has a big focus on leading MSD’s response to family violence, sexual violence, building the financial capability of people in hardship, and improving access to services for disabled people as well as for rural and isolated communities.
About the Roles / Mō te tūnga
We are looking for an Advisor and a Senior Advisor to support projects and programmes that improve access to services for communities, individuals and families.
As a Senior Advisor you will be responsible for designing and enhancing current social services within the SSFC portfolio. Your role will be to apply innovative thinking and adaptability to improve services that help individuals and whānau access the support they need for better social and economic outcomes.
You will be expected to provide data-informed insights and analysis of systems and services at a national level and work closely with other stakeholders, including other government agencies, to make improvements to our services and promoting continuous improvement.
As an Advisor, you will be responsible for supporting the design, implementation, and improvement of services commissioned by Safe Strong Families and Communities. You will help deliver projects by providing advice, supporting service design activities, preparing reports, responding to information requests, and engaging with stakeholders. You will support communication, reporting, and quality requirements working closely with the team, our providers and other business groups.
Both roles require strong analytical skills, as well as working directly with non-government organisations, while also navigating government relationships, so strong engagement and relationship building skills are a must.
Skills and experience/ Mōu – Ngā Pūkenga me ngā Wheako
We are looking for an Advisor and a Senior Advisor with experience in supporting programmes and initiatives that improve services for vulnerable communities. Both roles require strong relationship management skills, a solutions-focused approach, and the ability to collaborate effectively across a wide range of stakeholders.
To be successful in either role, you will:
- Have experience in the social services sector, particularly in supporting programme or project delivery.
- Be highly organised, with strong planning and delivery skills to meet agreed timelines.
- Have excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Be skilled in stakeholder engagement, able to establish and maintain effective relationships across government agencies, providers, and internal teams.
- Demonstrate sound judgment and political sensitivity.
- Be adaptable, pragmatic, and comfortable working under pressure.
- Have experience contributing to projects that give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
In addition, the Senior Advisor role requires:
- Experience in the design and commissioning of social services.
- Experience using data and insights to assess service outcomes and identify opportunities for service improvements.
- Experience with government processes.
- A strong ability to develop practical solutions for complex issues.
A relevant tertiary qualification is desirable for both roles. If you are passionate about making a difference and working collaboratively to drive meaningful change, we’d love to hear from you!
Position Description
Salary ranges:
Senior Advisor $102,533 - $124,402
Advisor $78,222 - $94,689
How to apply
To apply, click the 'Apply Now' button to upload your CV, cover letter and complete the online application form. Please indicate in your cover letter whether you are applying for the Advisor or Senior Advisor role.
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 6th April, 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.
