Advisor Security

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children; Wellington; On-site; NZD 78,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children in Wellington seeks an Advisor Security to strengthen protective security across the organisation. You will provide trusted advice on physical security, workplace safety and risk management while collaborating with leaders, property teams and business units.

You will focus on Protective Security Requirements (PSR) and PHYSEC policy, supporting staff during security incidents and helping embed a security-conscious culture across offices and residences.

Qualifications

• Proven experience working within the NZ Government Protective Security Requirements (PSR) framework.
• Strong understanding of personnel security, including the employee lifecycle and vetting requirements.
• Experience providing advice on physical security, workplace security, and security risk management.
• Ability to interpret site plans and work collaboratively with property and facilities teams on security initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience supporting organisations and staff during security incidents, threats, or heightened risk situations.
• Excellent relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build credibility across all levels of an organisation.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the confidence to provide clear, practical, and influential advice and reports.
• Understanding and appreciation of cross-cultural practices; knowledge of tikanga Māori and Pacific peoples' culture.
• A full clean New Zealand drivers’ licence, the valid right to work in New Zealand, and the eligibility to obtain and maintain a National Security Clearance are mandatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide trusted advice on protective security and PSR implementation.
• Support and advise on PHYSEC policy and mandatory requirements.
• Support workplace safety, site security planning, and security-related decisions.
• Advise staff and leaders during security incidents or heightened risk situations.
• Build relationships across business units to embed a security-conscious culture.

Skills

PSR framework knowledge

Stakeholder engagement

Physical security experience

Risk management

Policy advisory

Site plans interpretation

Security incident response

Communication skills

Driver's license

Job description

Key role in supporting the safety, security and resilience of Oranga Tamariki kaimahi and the tamariki and whānau we support Wellington-based at the National Office on The Terrace Permanent, full-time opportunity

Please note: Due to the upcoming holiday period and security clearance requirements, we anticipate the successful candidate will commence in the role in late January 2027, subject to notice periods and onboarding arrangements.

Mō te tūnga | About the role

This Advisor Security opportunity is a critical advisory role responsible for supporting and strengthening protective security across Oranga Tamariki. Working closely with leaders, property teams, and business groups across the organisation, you'll provide trusted advice on how we keep our people, workplaces, information and assets safe. As the Advisor Security, you will support and provide advice on the implementation of Protective Security Requirements (PSR) specifically, Physical Security (PHYSEC) policy and mandatory requirements. You'll also support broader protective security priorities including workplace safety considerations, site security planning, and advising staff and leaders during security-related and high-risk situations. Working across all business units, you'll build strong relationships, influence good security practice, and help embed a security-conscious culture that enables our people to safely carry out their work in offices, residences and communities across Aotearoa. Importantly, this is not an IT or cyber security role. While you will work within the wider security environment, the focus of the position is on protective, personnel and physical security, rather than technical information security, networks, systems, or cyber defence.

This role is based in our Wellington National Office. Candidates for this role are required to already be based in the Wellington region or be willing to relocate for this opportunity.

Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu | What you will bring

Key requirements of the role include:

• Proven experience working within the New Zealand Government Protective Security Requirements (PSR) framework.


• Strong understanding of personnel security, including the employee lifecycle and security vetting requirements.


• Experience providing advice on physical security, workplace security, and security risk management.


• Ability to interpret site plans and work collaboratively with property and facilities teams on security initiatives.


• Demonstrated experience supporting organisations and staff during security incidents, threats, or heightened risk situations.


• Excellent relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build credibility across all levels of an organisation.


• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the confidence to provide clear, practical, and influential advice and reports.


• Understanding and appreciation of cross-cultural practices in particular; knowledge of tikanga Māori, and Pacific peoples’ culture.


• A full clean New Zealand drivers’ licence, the valid right to work in New Zealand, and the eligibility to obtain and maintain a National Security Clearance are mandatory requirements.

National Security Clearance: To hold this position, you must be able to obtain and maintain a SECRET government security clearance. In order to achieve this you must be a New Zealand citizen or resident who has resided continuously in this country for 10 years, OR a citizen of Australia, Canada, The United Kingdom, or The United States of America; and have resided continuously in one or more of those countries for the past 10 years prior to application, with a background history which is verifiable and can be assessed as appropriate by the NZSIS towards a recommendation of suitability for a security clearance at a high level.

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you

Oranga Tamariki offer a step-based remuneration package, that offers progression annually for experience through tenure. Annual remuneration for this position starts between $77,886 and $86,082 dependent on experience. To see all the benefits of working for Oranga Tamariki, please visit https://mahi.orangatamariki.govt.nz/working-with-us/employee-benefits/

Applications for this role close at midnight on Thursday 19 November 2026.

We may begin reviewing applications and inviting candidates to interview prior to the closing date, so early applications are encouraged.

If you are interested in any of our vacancies, please ensure that you make yourself familiar with our code of conduct as it sets out our expectations for our kaimahi and requires you to present at work free from the influences of both drugs and alcohol.