Commissioning Advisors - Manager, Principal, Senior Advisor
Date: 2 May 2025
Location: Wellington, NZ
Company: Ministry of Social Development
- Drive innovation and best practice in social investment and commissioning
- Contribute to significant work in a growing and impactful central agency
- Work from a brand-new, purpose-built space in the heart of Wellington
Join the Social Investment Agency at a pivotal moment. We're building a cutting-edge commissioning team to lead the way in data-driven, evidence-based social investment.
This is your chance to help shape a new function from the ground up. You’ll work alongside experts in data, research, and service design to turn insight into impact across Aotearoa New Zealand’s social sector.
We’re currently recruiting Managers, Principals and Senior Advisors.
Kōrero mō te tūranga | About the roles
We’ve got an ambitious and fast-moving work programme ahead so you’ll need to bring your agility, drive, and team spirit. The Commissioning team will focus on:
- Shaping outcome-focused agreements with social sector organisations, iwi and Māori organisations, and a range of other partners
- Leading high-impact, cross-agency programme delivery that gets real results
- Embedding data and evidence at the heart of decision-making
- Setting the bar for social investment standards and driving improvements in how Government works with the social sector
He kōrero mōu | About you
We know it’s rare for one person to have every skill we’re after but if you bring strength in several of these areas and have the experience to back it up, we want to hear from you!
Strategic Commissioning
We’re after sharp thinkers and doers who can build strong relationships, cut through complexity, and get things done. Key strengths we’re looking for include:
- Building trusted partnerships across government, communities, and with iwi and Māori
- Turning complex data and ideas into clear, compelling insights
- Leading effective workshops, consultations, and service design processes
- Experience in commissioning: needs analysis, procurement, contracts, and performance
- Strong leadership, project delivery, and change management skills
- Translating big priorities into actionable plans with measurable outcomes
- Solid policy, financial, and analytical capability
Operational Commissioning
We’re looking for practical, solutions-focused people who can build smart systems that work for people and keep things moving. Key skills include:
- Designing streamlined commissioning systems and processes that work
- Creating tools, training, and guidance to support quality delivery
- Managing procurement, contracts, and reporting with a focus on outcomes
- Using data and evidence to drive service improvement
- Running effective engagement and events that bring people together
- Leading operational teams within complex policy and regulatory settings
- Delivering projects under pressure, with strong planning and resource management
- Confidently leading change and continuous improvement
Utu ā-tau | Salary
The salary range for each role will be commensurate with relevant capability and experience as below with offers generally made at the midpoint:
Commissioning Manager: Min $167,790 - Midpoint $197,400 - Max $236,880
Commissioning Principal: Min $145,683 - Midpoint $171,392 - Max $205,670
Commissioning Senior Advisor: Min $104,885 - Midpoint $123,394 - Max $148,073
Ko wai mātou | About us
Our mission is to transform the system by using data and evidence to drive earlier, more effective investments that improve the lives of New Zealanders. We focus on making a meaningful impact, collaborating with agencies and stakeholders to address policy gaps and lead change.
As a central government agency, our people are at the heart of everything we do. They are curious, agile, and committed to the wellbeing of others.
We are proud to foster a safe, inclusive, and diverse workplace and support flexible working arrangements. We encourage applications from everyone, regardless of gender identity, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, or religion. If you have specific needs or access requirements, we’re here to support you through the recruitment process.
Our values
Our success depends on not just what we do, but how we do it. We encourage you to carefully consider our values—they are central to everything we aim to achieve. For more information, please refer to our website.
Tono mai | How to Apply
Whether your strengths lie in strategy, operations, or both, you’ll be part of a collaborative team that’s shaping the future of commissioning in Aotearoa. If you’re motivated by impact, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and bring a mix of big-picture thinking and practical delivery—let’s talk.
To apply for this role please click the ‘Apply Now’ button and follow the online process. To view a copy of the position description please click here.
Applications close at 11.59pm on Monday 12 May 2025; however, we will review applications as they come in and may invite people to interview before the close date. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if an ideal person is found before the close date.
If you have any questions, please email peopleandculture@sia.govt.nz.
We look forward to receiving your application.
