Chief Advisor Systems Design and Intervention

Ministry of Education; Wellington; On-site; NZD 150,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ministry of Education, Te Tāhuhu, seeks a senior leader to drive targeted interventions across system design and early action to improve Māori education outcomes. You will shape how policy, funding and accountability settings translate into practical improvements for learners and communities.

Leading across system design, stewardship, assurance and intervention activities, you will translate operational expertise into strategic recommendations, strengthen Māori-Crown partnerships and build

Qualifications

• Senior leader with strategic, analytical and conceptual thinking.
• Understanding of Māori education provision – te reo, tikanga and mātauranga Māori.
• Ability to lead system design, intervention and Te Tiriti commitments in a complex environment.
• Experience leading system reviews, intervention programmes, or performance improvement initiatives.
• Experience developing and delivering integrated strategic and operational plans.
• Ability to operate through an ao Māori lens with te reo, tikanga and mātauranga Māori.
• Proven track record of building and maintaining trusted relationships with colleagues, stakeholders and Ministers.
• Politically savvy with extensive Ministers interaction and machinery of government knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Drive targeted interventions to strengthen system responsiveness and effectiveness.
• Provide strategic leadership across system design, stewardship, assurance and intervention activities.
• Identify where policy, operational, funding or accountability settings require adjustment.
• Translate operational experience and Māori education expertise into actionable recommendations.
• Strengthen the Māori-Crown relationship and organisational capability for a whole-of-system approach.

Skills

System leadership

Strategic thinking

Policy design

System reviews

Strategic planning

Māori lens

Relationship building

Political savviness

Job description

Help shape the future of education in New Zealand

Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga | The Ministry of Education (Te Tāhuhu) plays a critical role in shaping NewZealand's education system to deliver equitable and excellent outcomes for all learners. We are reshaping how Te Tāhuhu is organised to sharpen our focus on core priorities, be outward-facing and evidence-led, and build a strong organisational culture. We are seeking exceptional leaders who can navigate complexity, lead change, and deliver meaningful outcomes for learners and educators nationally.

About this role | Mō tēnei tūranga

The Chief Advisor, Systems Design and Intervention drives targeted, time-bound interventions to strengthen system responsiveness and effectiveness, shaping system settings early and stepping in deliberately where Māori education outcomes or partnerships need to be realigned. You will provide strategic leadership across system design, stewardship, assurance and intervention activities, identifying where policy, operational, funding or accountability settings require adjustment, and taking targeted action to address persistent challenges, reduce inequities and strengthen Māori-Crown partnerships. You will shape system design and early intervention work to ensure education system settings support equitable and excellent outcomes for Māori education identifying emerging risks and opportunities before issues become entrenched. You will oversee troubleshooting, course correction and system reset activities where outcomes, partnerships or delivery performance are at risk, and influence system evolution through strategic reviews of settings and practices, translating operational experience and Māori education expertise into actionable recommendations. As a Chief Advisor, you will build organisational capability in systems thinking, intervention design and Māori education-centred system design, integrate data and narrative insights to maintain a system-wide view of performance, and strengthen the Māori-Crown relationship.

About you | Mōhou ake

You are a senior leader with strong strategic, analytical and conceptual thinking, with an understanding of Māori education provision - te reo, tikanga and mātauranga Māori, and the credibility to lead system design, intervention and Te Tiriti o Waitangi | Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Te Tiriti) commitments across a complex, whole-of-system environment. You will bring:

• Proven experience leading initiatives and programmes that deliver whole-of-system outcomes
• Proven experience leading change at a system level, with strong strategic thinking and the ability to connect various aspects of the system
• Demonstrated understanding of policy design, implementation and evaluation in complex systems
• Experience leading system reviews, intervention programmes, assurance activities, or complex performance improvement initiatives
• Experience developing and delivering integrated strategic and operational plans
• The ability and experience of operating through an ao Māori lens, with an understanding of te reo, tikanga and mātauranga Māori
• A proven track record of building and maintaining trusted relationships with colleagues, stakeholders, Māori and iwi, and Ministers
• Politically savvy, with extensive experience working with Ministers and sound machinery of government knowledge

About the group | Mātau rōpū ake

This role sits within Te Pou Tuarongo | Māori Education, the business group responsible for strengthening system integrity, visibility and trust across Māori Education. As part of the senior leadership team, you will help ensure education provision (particularly Māori education provision), learner outcomes, investment and partnerships are aligned and continuously improving.

Ready to make a difference? | Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi?

If you're a senior leader who can diagnose complex, whole-of-system challenges and lead the targeted intervention of outcomes and partnerships for Māori education, this is your chance to shape systems design across our education system.

Applications close 14 October.

We want our candidates to feel valued for their unique qualities and have a sense of belonging. If you require assistance or adjustments to fully participate in the recruitment process, please let us know.