Case Manager | Kaituitui - Nelson

Ministry of Social Development NZ; Nelson; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 84,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ministry of Social Development NZ in Nelson is seeking people-focused staff to help clients access income, housing and employment support, with an emphasis on accurate data entry and clear policy guidance.

You’ll work across multiple systems, support clients to use online tools, and coordinate with whānau and partners to move people forward.

The role is grounded in manaaki tangata and offers a collaborative, inclusive environment with a clear start date in late November 2026.

Qualifications

• Accurate data entry with high attention to detail.
• Confident with technology and multi-system navigation.
• Empathetic and professional, applying policy with care.
• Clear communicator, able to explain things simply and build trust.
• Adaptable and steady; comfortable with high volumes and change.
• Strong team player, dependable and collaborative.
• Comfortable with numbers and entitlements calculations.

Responsibilities

• Assist clients recently out of work to access income, training, or employment.
• Help whānau explore housing options and coordinate follow-ups.
• Encourage digital self-service and build client confidence with online tools.
• Manage a busy caseload across multiple systems while keeping accurate notes.
• Refer clients to external providers and collaborate with others.
• Meet with your team to reflect, troubleshoot, and support each other.

Skills

Data entry

Tech proficient

Empathy and professionalism

Clear communication

Adaptable

Team player

Numeracy/detail orientation

Job description

This is real work that changes lives — including your own.

What you'll need to succeed | Ko tō āhua

You'll also need to be:

• Fast and accurate with data entry – getting the detail right matters.
• Confident with technology – navigating multiple systems and supporting clients to do the same.
• Empathetic and professional – able to hold space for real-life challenges while applying policy.
• A clear communicator – someone who can build trust, explain things simply, and make good decisions.
• Adaptable and steady – comfortable with change, high volumes, and problem-solving on the go.
• A strong team player – grounded, dependable, and collaborative.
• Comfortable with numbers and detail – able to complete complex calculations related to payments, dates, and entitlements.

A day in the life

• Supporting someone recently out of work to access income, training, or employment.
• Helping a whānau explore housing options and coordinating follow-ups.
• Encouraging digital self-service and building client confidence with online tools.
• Managing a busy caseload across multiple systems while keeping accurate notes.
• Referring clients to external providers and working collaboratively with others.
• Meeting with your team to reflect, troubleshoot, and support each other.

You'll put clients at the centre — listening deeply, responding with care, and helping people move forward in a way that works for them. You'll bring a high level of personal integrity, initiative, and self-management.

What you'll be part of

• You'll join a public service organisation committed to manaaki tangata, manaaki whānau — helping New Zealanders to be safe, strong, and independent.
• You'll deliver integrated support across income, housing, and employment — helping clients navigate life transitions and connect to the right services, at the right time.
• You'll be part of a team that upholds public trust and lives our values: working with integrity, partnering for impact, and standing up for the people we serve.

Position Description | He Whakaahutanga Tūnga

Recruitment and selection details:

• Applications close: 11.59pm on Wednesday, 16th September 2026
• Recruitment and Selection process: Shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete a short video confidence skills test. Candidates who are successful at this stage will progress to the interview stage.
• Estimated start date: Late November 2026

Applicants must hold New Zealand Citizenship, Permanent Residency or Australian Citizenship at time of application.

Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $69,519.00 – $84,041.00

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.

We provide social policy advice to government, and assistance including income, employment and housing support to people of all ages, families, whānau and communities.

As a Te Tiriti o Waitangi partner, we are committed to supporting and enabling Māori, whānau, hapū, Iwi and communities to realise their own potential and aspirations.

Our people are as diverse as the communities we serve. We care about the wellbeing and success of our people and provide a supportive and inclusive working environment where people can thrive and be who they are.

Joining MSD means being part of a whānau that celebrates the diversity each individual represents.

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.