Senior Privacy Advisor - Wellington (Preferred), Auckland and/or Christchurch
Wellington, NZ
Fixed term/secondment opportunity through to June 2027
- Wellington is the preferred location but will consider Auckland or Christchurch for the right candidate
- Privacy and Information Sharing focus
- Leading transformational change
The Opportunity and Organisation
The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) is a people-centred organisation. We’re in communities across the motu, working with partners to help New Zealanders be safe, strong and independent.
MSD – Services for the Future programme is about MSD’s future role and how we can make a bigger and better difference for New Zealanders. It will help us achieve the shifts we want to make to achieve our strategic goal, Te Pae Tawhiti.
Services for the Future will position us to deliver the changes to the welfare system the Government requires.
The programme is a major undertaking, delivering significant benefits to over a million New Zealanders who access MSD support and services. This is an unique opportunity to be involved in MSD’s journey.
Through transformation there is a need to ensure our information sharing arrangements with regulatory requirements including recent changes with the Privacy Act. This role will play a crucial part by supporting the business and policy in creating new information sharing agreements, adjusting existing ones, and supporting technology and data colleagues in finding more strategic and sustainable solutions for sharing.
About our team | Mō te tīma
As part of MSD’s Organisational Assurance and Communications Group, the Information Privacy and Security (IPS) Group offer support and advice across Information Management, Security and Privacy domains. IPS are responsible for ensuring that MSD information and systems are protected, information has value, and our people use it responsibly to achieve MSD’s purpose.
What you bring | Ōu pūmanawatanga
You will bring your extensive knowledge in Privacy and Information Sharing to help ensure MSD uses information responsibly, ethically, and in ways that support better outcomes for New Zealanders. You will work collaboratively with other team members and the wider business to deliver the Group's functional activities.
We are looking for someone who has expertise across several of the following areas:
- Expert knowledge in privacy and information sharing within government contexts
- Providing technical expertise and by design advice to build good information practices into solution design
- Demonstrated experience of providing privacy risk assessment and assurance on complex solutions
- Providing innovative and practical solutions to solving business problems, while ensuring the business’ responsible use and protection of information.
- Experience in providing advice on proposed or existing information sharing arrangements and potential impacts to the Ministry
- Strong relationship management skills to influence the implementation of fit-for-purpose business solutions
- Ability to apply pragmatic privacy solutions to complex issues
- Experienced and confident in applying technical expertise in a flexible, agile way
What’s in it for you?
- Supportive leadership
- Enjoy a mix of strategic and tactical work
- Working collaboratively with experts across the information domains to achieve good outcomes
- Flexible working arrangements
Core values:
- Manaaki – We care about the wellbeing and success of people
- Mahi tahi – We work together, making a difference for communities
- Whanau – We are inclusive and build a sense of belonging and place
- Tika me te pono – We do the right thing with integrity
Join them today and be part of a team that is dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of others. You must have a valid NZ work visa for your application to be considered.
Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga
Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $119,586.00 - $145,235.00
Applications close | Ka kati ngā tono hei te: Sunday 12th July 2026
How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono
Before you submit your application, please take a moment to review our guidance to understand how AI can best support your application. Candidate Guidance - Responsible AI use in recruitment
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. Please highlight how your skills and experience relate to the key responsibilities listed in the position description and job advertisement.
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. You can find out more about our values here.
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.
