Lead Advisor, Learning Support Practice

New Zealand Government; Canterbury; On-site; NZD 99,000 - 121,000; Full time

Job summary

An education-focused governmental organization in Canterbury is seeking a Lead Advisor for Learning Support Practice to drive effective learning support systems and practices. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience with children and young people with learning support needs and a thorough understanding of the New Zealand education system. This full-time position provides an opportunity to impact positively on educational outcomes for diverse communities.

Qualifications

• Experience in leading practice changes with individuals and at a system level.
• Strong practice credibility with colleagues and managers.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of the New Zealand education system.

Responsibilities

• Drive regional implementation of national Learning Support practices, processes, and systems.
• Provide support and guidance to staff in the region.
• Work closely with Chief Advisers and Learning Support specialists.

Skills

Strong knowledge and experience of supporting children and young people with learning support needs

Ability to empower others to use data to improve outcomes

Experience in leading practice changes

Strong knowledge of the New Zealand education system

Understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi

Education

Five or more years’ experience in education or related field

Full, clean New Zealand driving license

Job description

Lead Advisor, Learning Support Practice at Ministry of Education, Canterbury

Help shape the future of education in New Zealand

Help shape the future of Education

We work toshapeaneducationsystem that deliversequitableandexcellent outcomes

Our organisation is made up of talented and committed people around Aotearoa, from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. While we work in different groups and on different things, we all strive every day to make the biggest difference we can for our students in our education system.

• An opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and skilled Lead Advisor, Learning Support Practice to join our team in Canterbury.
• This is a permanent full-timeLead Advisor, Learning Support Practice role.
• Based in Canterbury

The Lead Advisor provides support and guidance to staff in the region to drive quality, effective and consistent learning support practice through the Service Managers and Managers Integrated Services.

Lead Advisors in collaboration with other roles will ensure all learning support staff have access to high quality induction and supervision.

You will work closely and collaboratively with Chief Advisers Learning Support and Te Pae Aronui Learning Support specialist service leads to plan, co-ordinate and provide professional support and development for learning support specialists.

To be effective in this role you will :

• Establish yourself as a highly knowledgeable source of information and support He Pikorua.
• Empower others to use data and provide insights to improve outcomes for learners.
• Use regional data, evidence and insights to address key performance metrics.
• Drive regional implementation of national Learning Support practices, processes and systems.
• Understand and inform others of relevant changes in priorities, policies or process that could affect practice changes.

Salary range: $99,496 – 120,690 per annum + 3% KiwiSaver. The successful candidate will be appointed at a salary which reflects individual skills and experience.

• A full, clean New Zealand driving license.

You will also offer:

• Five or moreyears’ experience in the provision of specialist learning support services in education or a related field.
• Strong knowledge and experience of supporting children and young people with learning support needs.Experience in leading practice changes with individuals and at a system level.
• Strong practice credibility with colleagues and managers.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of the New Zealand education system.
• An understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi, and its implications for the work of the Ministry of Education especially in matters relating to Māori development and the partnership values that flow from the Treaty.

Canterbury provides leadership and integrated services to the sector and others, in line with national education priorities of achievement, attendance and learning support. This includes services such as learning support and education advice and regulation functions for schools and early learning services.

The Lead Advisor Learning Support Practice reports to the Manager Practice and Performance. The Practice and Performance team leads strategy, planning, prioritisation, and performance reporting for the regional office. Practice and Performance informs how services, practice (advice / guidance) and performance are designed nationally and delivered locally. The team works closely with local integrated services teams and external stakeholders to support best practice and identify continuous improvement.

As a frontline group we develop and harness existing relationships with communities at the regional and local level through the Directors of Education, including deep relationships with iwi and hapū. Our Directors of Education have the lead role and relationship with early learning, kōhanga, school and kura, and this means they will be across all the services we provide at a local level.

We also collectively strengthen relationships with our diverse communities who support Māori, Pacific peoples, disabled ākonga and/or ākonga with learning support needs, and ākonga from disadvantaged backgrounds.

If this opportunity interests you, please submit your cover letter and resume by using the ‘apply' button. In your cover letter we’d like to know about you, your values, or anything else you’d like to share. We’re keen to understand your motivations, strengths, transferable skills, and the diverse perspectives you will bring to the role.

For further information, please contact Susan Schneideman - Manager, Practice and Performance at [e-mail]

Applications close Midnight – Wednesday, 30 July 2025.

We want our people to feel valued for their unique qualities and have a sense of belonging. If you require assistance or adjustments to fully participate in the recruitment process, please let us know.

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