Case Manager| Kaituitui | Whanganui

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

Job summary

The Ministry of Social Development is seeking a dedicated Case Manager to support New Zealanders through life transitions, including employment changes, housing shifts, or financial stress. You’ll connect clients to the right supports with empathy, policy awareness and timely decision-making.

In this frontline role you’ll build trusted relationships, navigate multiple systems, maintain accurate records and collaborate with partners to deliver integrated services that strengthen communities.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering employment, income or housing support.
• Strong communication and active listening skills.
• Ability to build rapport and trust.
• Confidence navigating multiple systems.
• High accuracy and attention to detail.
• Sound judgment and decision-making.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Resilience, adaptability and self-management.
• Commitment to delivering excellent client service.

Responsibilities

• Support clients to access employment, income support and housing assistance.
• Build trust and rapport with clients through effective communication and case management.
• Gather information, assess needs and make decisions in line with policy and legislation.
• Support clients to use digital and self-service options.
• Work across multiple systems while maintaining accurate and timely records.
• Collaborate with colleagues and service providers to achieve positive client outcomes

Skills

Employment support

Communication skills

Active listening

Rapport building

Decision making

Attention to detail

Adaptability

Client service

Self-management

Job description

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We are a passionate, collaborative team that lift each other up and turn challenges into achievements. Come and join our friendly team to support local whānau in ourcommunityto help make a difference.

• Full-time, permanent | Monday to Friday

About the role | Mō te tūnga

Case Managers are the face of public service at the frontline. You’ll work with New Zealanders navigating challenging life situations, such as employment changes, housing transitions, or financial stress, and help connect them to the right support at the right time.

This is complex, high trust mahi. You’ll be making decisions that impact whānau and communities, balancing empathy and policy, speed and accuracy. If you value people, process, and purpose, and can bring calm to complexity — this could be the role for you.

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 doing

In this role, you will:

• Support clients to access employment, income support and housing assistance.
• Build trust and rapport with clients through effective communication and case management.
• Gather information, assess needs and make decisions in line with policy and legislation.
• Support clients to use digital and self-service options.
• Work across multiple systems while maintaining accurate and timely records.
• Collaborate with colleagues and service providers to achieve positive client outcomes

What we're looking for

We're particularly interested in people who can demonstrate:

• Highly effective skills in providing support to clients for employment, income or housing assistance
• Strong communication and active listening skills.
• The ability to build rapport and trust
• Confidence navigating multiple systems while managing client conversations.
• High levels of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Sound judgement and decision-making.
• The ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Resilience, adaptability and strong self-management.
• Experience and a strong commitment to delivering excellent client service.

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.

In return, we’ll give you:

• A full induction and training plan.
• Ongoing support from your peers and leaders.
• Development opportunities and career pathways.
• A role where your mahi directly contributes to stronger communities.
• A competitive salary based on Band 4 ($69,519 - $84,041) Appointments may be considered potentially up to the midpoint $76,779 depending on your relevant skills, experience and other factors.

Recruitment and Selection Details:

• Recruitment and Selection process: Longlisted candidates will complete a short video and digital confidence skills test and shortlisted candidates will attend an in-person assessment centre the week of 21 September 2026.
• Applicants must hold New Zealand Citizenship, Permanent Residency or Australian Citizenship at time of application.

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.

Important to note: Your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the key responsibilities listed in the position description. Please talk to why you believe you are the right person for this Case Manager role and what skills and experience you will bring to help you succeed.

All applications must be made online. If this is not possible or if you have any queries, please contact us at [e-mail]

Internal MSD Employees – please apply through your myHR portal at work. This will ensure that your myHR employee profile is visible as internal candidate.

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

We show manaaki, we care about the wellbeing and success of people and want everyone to thrive and be who they are in a supportive and inclusive working environment. We work together to make a difference for communities while doing the right thing with integrity. You can find out more about our values here.

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.