Advisor, Public Sector Performance

Public Service Commission Te Kawa Mataaho; Wellington; On-site; NZD 81,000 - 108,000; Full time

Job summary

Public Service Commission Te Kawa Mataaho in Wellington is seeking an Advisor in the Public Sector Performance Group to shape the future of New Zealand's Public Service. You will provide high quality analysis to set direction and drive performance across agencies, reporting to senior leaders including the Public Service Commissioner.

This permanent role offers exposure to Ministers, cross-agency work, and opportunities to influence strategic priorities and delivery across central agencies.

Qualifications

• Strong analytical skills and sound judgement.
• Ability to deliver high-quality advice in a fast-paced environment.
• Confidence working with senior leaders and across levels.

Responsibilities

• Enable real-time assessments on agency performance and advise Ministers on interventions to accelerate delivery.
• Shape performance of Public Service leaders through annual chief executive expectation-setting and performance reviews.
• Support the delivery of Performance Improvement Reviews that guide strategic direction and capability development.
• Collaborate with Central Agencies to provide Ministers with advice on delivery and performance of Public Service agencies.

Job description

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The Public Service Commission leads the public sector to make a positive difference for New Zealand and New Zealanders. The Public Sector Performance Group drives public sector performance and supports the exercise of statutory responsibilities for chief executive recruitment, remuneration and development. The Group also advises Crown entities, boards and monitoring agencies on governance and monitoring best practice. The Group has a critical role in ensuring the Public Sector is high performing and delivering results for New Zealanders.

About the role

Want to help shape the future of New Zealand's Public Service? Join us at the centre of government and make a real impact on how agencies deliver for New Zealanders.

As an Advisor in the Public Sector Performance Group, you will provide high quality advice and analysis to set the direction and drive the performance of the Public Sector. You will hold a portfolio of agencies and provide advice to senior leaders, including the Public Service Commissioner, Deputy Public Service Commissioner, and Assistant Commissioners, on the performance of chief executives and their agencies.

You'll work on priority issues and programmes that drive delivery and results for New Zealanders. Our focus is on ensuring we take a real-time, outcomes focused approach to drive delivery and performance through Public Service Chief Executives and agencies.

Enabling a strong Central Agency approach to driving Public Sector performance is a key foundation for how we work. You will work closely with our Central Agency partners to ensure senior leaders and Ministers are well supported with the insights and interventions to actively drive Public Sector performance. You will also help build the capability and performance of Crown entities, boards and monitoring agencies to deliver a high performing Public Service.

The opportunity

This is your chance to work at the heart of government and influence decisions that shape the future of New Zealand's Public Service. As an Advisor, you'll have direct exposure to senior leaders, tackle high-profile issues, and help drive improvements that deliver better results for New Zealanders. No two days are the same - this role offers variety, challenge, and the opportunity to make a real impact on how public services perform and respond to the priorities that matter most.

The opportunities you will get in this role include:

• enabling active, real-time assessments on the effectiveness of agencies in delivering their core services and Government priorities, and advising Ministers on interventions to accelerate delivery
• shape the performance of Public Service leaders through facilitating annual chief executive expectation-setting and performance review processes
• supporting the delivery of Performance Improvement Reviews that shape strategic direction and build the capability agencies need to meet current and future priorities.
• working with Central Agencies to provide Ministers with advice on the delivery and performance of Public Service agencies, including supporting the delivery of the Government's targets and implementation of Performance Plans
• engaging with Crown entity boards, chairs and monitoring agencies to drive the capability and performance of Crown entities delivering critical public services
• working with cross Commission teams in other areas led by the Commission, including machinery of government, workforce and integrity matters.

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Advisor, Public Sector Performance

Public Sector Performance

Wellington

Permanent

Salary range: $81,380 to $107,932

The Public Service Commission leads the public sector to make a positive difference for New Zealand and New Zealanders. The Public Sector Performance Group drives public sector performance and supports the exercise of statutory responsibilities for chief executive recruitment, remuneration and development. The Group also advises Crown entities, boards and monitoring agencies on governance and monitoring best practice. The Group has a critical role in ensuring the Public Sector is high performing and delivering results for New Zealanders.

About the role

Want to help shape the future of New Zealand's Public Service? Join us at the centre of government and make a real impact on how agencies deliver for New Zealanders.

As an Advisor in the Public Sector Performance Group, you will provide high quality advice and analysis to set the direction and drive the performance of the Public Sector. You will hold a portfolio of agencies and provide advice to senior leaders, including the Public Service Commissioner, Deputy Public Service Commissioner, and Assistant Commissioners, on the performance of chief executives and their agencies.

You'll work on priority issues and programmes that drive delivery and results for New Zealanders. Our focus is on ensuring we take a real-time, outcomes focused approach to drive delivery and performance through Public Service Chief Executives and agencies.

Enabling a strong Central Agency approach to driving Public Sector performance is a key foundation for how we work. You will work closely with our Central Agency partners to ensure senior leaders and Ministers are well supported with the insights and interventions to actively drive Public Sector performance. You will also help build the capability and performance of Crown entities, boards and monitoring agencies to deliver a high performing Public Service.

The opportunity

This is your chance to work at the heart of government and influence decisions that shape the future of New Zealand's Public Service. As an Advisor, you'll have direct exposure to senior leaders, tackle high-profile issues, and help drive improvements that deliver better results for New Zealanders. No two days are the same - this role offers variety, challenge, and the opportunity to make a real impact on how public services perform and respond to the priorities that matter most.

The opportunities you will get in this role include:

• enabling active, real-time assessments on the effectiveness of agencies in delivering their core services and Government priorities, and advising Ministers on interventions to accelerate delivery
• shape the performance of Public Service leaders through facilitating annual chief executive expectation-setting and performance review processes
• supporting the delivery of Performance Improvement Reviews that shape strategic direction and build the capability agencies need to meet current and future priorities.

• working with Central Agencies to provide Ministers with advice on the delivery and performance of Public Service agencies, including supporting the delivery of the Government's targets and implementation of Performance Plans
• engaging with Crown entity boards, chairs and monitoring agencies to drive the capability and performance of Crown entities delivering critical public services

• working with cross Commission teams in other areas led by the Commission, including machinery of government, workforce and integrity matters.

What we are looking for

We're looking for a capable and motivated individual who is passionate about supporting a high-performing and effective Public Service. You'll bring strong analytical skills, sound judgement, and the ability to deliver high-quality advice in a fast-paced environment.

To succeed in this role, you'll need to be confident working with others at all levels, including senior leaders. You'll be skilled at building trusted relationships, synthesising complex information, and contributing to work that drives delivery and results. A proactive, outcomes-focused mindset and the ability to work across multiple priorities will be key to your success.

Important Information

We believe in a diverse and inclusive Public Service which reflects the communities that we serve. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and identities. We welcome every gender, ethnicity, ability, religion, age, and background and encourage people to be their authentic selves at work. Talk to us about what flexible work arrangements might work for both you and us.

Remuneration

The full range for the band is $81,380 to 107,932. We typically look to appoint to the role between $81,380 to 99,804, depending on skills and experience.

Requirements

To be appointed to this position, you must be able to obtain and maintain aConfidentialsecurity clearance. Ordinarily, to obtain this level of clearance you must have sufficient checkable background in countries where meaningful and reliable checks can be undertaken. Where requisite checks are unable to be made, your application may not be able to be progressed.

Use this online tool (process:http://www.protectivesecurity.govt.nz/eligibility-tool) to self-check your eligibility for a clearance. Please note that this tool is indicative only, and initiation of a formal security clearance will be undertaken prior to any appointment.

Please note that all applicants are required to apply via jobs.govt.nz. You will need a RealMe account to apply.

If you are not a New Zealand citizen, you must hold current eligibility to work in New Zealand and for Te Kawa Mataaho. Please refer to theNew Zealand Immigration Servicefor further information.

Job ad opened for applications on 1 September 2026.

Please submit your application by or on 15 September 2026.

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