Advisor Personnel Security

New Zealand Government; Wellington; On-site; NZD 82,000 - 91,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Internal Affairs seeks an Advisor Personnel Security on a fixed-term basis to end of April 2027. Based in Wellington, you'll manage end-to-end national security clearance processes, advise staff and contractors, maintain records and support suitability monitoring.

You'll work with hiring managers, HR teams and external agencies to improve processes, build relationships and promote a strong security culture.

Qualifications

• Strong customer service skills and the ability to build effective working relationships.
• Experience managing high-volume workflows and competing priorities.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate records.
• Sound judgement and discretion when handling sensitive information.
• The ability to work through complexity and ambiguity with confidence.
• Experience using workflow management systems and administrative processes.
• The ability to explain complex information in a clear and practical way.
• A commitment to continuous improvement and finding better ways of working.
• Knowledge of the Protective Security Requirements (PSR), particularly Personnel Security (PERSEC), is desirable.
• An understanding of government processes, risk, assurance or security-related environments is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Support end-to-end national security clearance process and help staff navigate clearance requirements.
• Provide practical advice, maintain accurate records, support suitability monitoring, and help continuously improve personnel security processes.
• Build strong relationships across the Department and contribute to a positive security culture.

Skills

Customer service

Relationship building

High-volume workflows

Attention to detail

Judgement and discretion

Complexity handling

Workflow systems

Clear explanations

Continuous improvement

PSR / PERSEC knowledge

Government processes

Job description

About Us |'Mo'matou''The Department of Internal Affairs plays a critical role in supporting New Zealand's democracy, communities and government. As part of the Election 2026 programme, we're building the capability needed to support one of the country's most significant democratic events.Joining the Security and Resilience team, you'll help ensure staff and contractors are appropriately vetted and supported through the national security clearance process, enabling the Department to deliver critical election-related work safely and securely.The role |'Te'tunga'We're looking for an Advisor Personnel Security to join our team on a fixed-term basis to the end of April 2027.This role has been established to provide additional capacity during a period of increased recruitment and security clearance activity associated with Election 2026. You'll support the end-to-end national security clearance process, helping staff and contractors navigate clearance requirements while ensuring DIA meets its personnel security obligations.Working closely with hiring managers, HR teams, clearance holders and external agencies, you'll provide practical advice, maintain accurate records, support suitability monitoring, and help continuously improve our personnel security processes. You'll also build strong relationships across the Department and contribute to a positive security culture.What you bring |'Nou'te'rourouStrong customer service skills and the ability to build effective working relationshipsExperience managing high-volume workflows and competing prioritiesStrong attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate recordsSound judgement and discretion when handling sensitive informationThe ability to work through complexity and ambiguity with confidenceExperience using workflow management systems and administrative processesThe ability to explain complex information in a clear and practical wayA commitment to continuous improvement and finding better ways of workingKnowledge of the Protective Security Requirements (PSR), particularly Personnel Security (PERSEC), is desirableAn understanding of government processes, risk, assurance or security-related environments is advantageousFor you |'Mou'At the Department of Internal Affairs, we are committed to offering a collaborative and innovative culture where your perspective and ideas will be welcomed. We want our people to thrive within a culture of best practice, while being able to set and achieve goals and being encouraged to challenge the status quo.'To learn more about the diverse, important mahi we do at the Department and see why'we're'a great place'to work check out our website'https://www.dia.govt.nz/'Benefits -'About Internal Affairs - Careers with us - Benefits - dia.govt.nz'The appointing range for this role'is'$81,665 - $90,738.To review the full job description, please'click here.How to apply'| Me'pehea'te'tuku'tono'We are unable to accept applications via email. Please click the apply button to'submit'your application.'We're'committed to ensuring our application process is accessible to everyone. Please let us know if there is any'support,'we can provide to ensure the process is accessible to you.'Applications for this role close 5pm, Sunday 25 October 2026.Please also note that you must have the ability to obtain and'maintain'at least a confidential level national security clearance to be considered for this role. Use this tool to check if you might be eligible for a security clearance:'Eligibility self-check tool | Protective Security Requirements'If you have any'questions,'please email Scott LePine - [e-mail]