Contract Advisor

Marketplace; Wellington; On-site; NZD 79,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ministry of Social Development in Wellington is seeking a Contract Advisor for a permanent, full-time role to coordinate a portfolio of contracts, ensure compliance, and support performance monitoring. You will liaise with providers and internal teams to improve contract management processes and systems.

The role emphasizes stakeholder engagement, regulatory understanding, and attention to detail, with a focus on Te Tiriti o Waitangi and inclusive practice.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in coordination and administration of contracts within a regulatory environment.
• Strong understanding of commissioning, contract law and contract management systems.
• Experience liaising with stakeholders and influencing outcomes.
• Detail-focused, analytical and proactive in resolving issues.
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word and Excel).
• Ability to manage competing priorities and respond to ambiguity.
• Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and inclusive practices.

Responsibilities

• Coordinating and administering a portfolio of contracts across a large provider network.
• Ensuring contractual compliance and supporting performance reporting.
• Providing advice on contracting policies, procedures, and risks.
• Liaising with providers, Health NZ, and internal teams to support contract delivery.
• Contributing to the development and improvement of contract management systems and processes.

Skills

Contract coordination

Regulatory contracting

Stakeholder liaison

Attention to detail

MS Office

Prioritization

Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

# Contract Advisor at Ministry of Social Development, Wellington - Wairarapa## Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role* **Permanent role*** **Wellington based*** **Provide expert advice and support on contracting processes and compliance****Manage the coordination and administration of a portfolio of DSS contracts across a large provider network****Are you details driven and passionate about service delivery? Join a team that is committed to strengthening disability supports through effective contract management and collaborative provider relationships.****About our team | Mō te tīma**The Disability Support Services (DSS) Group is responsible for commissioning, funding, and stewarding high-quality services that support disabled people, their families, and whānau.We're building leadership and management capacity across our teams to deliver both change and business-as-usual effectively.We work closely with providers, stakeholders, and communities to ensure services are fair, consistent, transparent and sustainable. With a strong focus on performance monitoring, data, and insights, we're committed to continuous improvement and evidence-based decision-making.It's an exciting time to join DSS as we strengthen our systems and expand our capabilities.We're looking for passionate people to help us achieve our goals and make a meaningful impact.**About the role | Mō te tūnga**As a Contract Advisor, you'll coordinate the development of a portfolio of high-volume contracts and oversee day-to-day contracting operations including variations, extensions, and performance monitoring.You'll play a key role in ensuring contractual compliance, resolving issues, and supporting continuous improvement and performance monitoring across DSS.You'll provide advice on contract procedures, liaise with providers, and contribute to the development of contract management systems and processes.This is a permanent, full-time opportunity to contribute to improved outcomes for disabled people through effective contract administration and management. If you're ready to make a difference through purposeful contracting and collaboration, this is your opportunity!This is a permanent opportunity and is based in the Wellington National Office.**Key responsibilities include:*** Coordinating and administering a portfolio of contracts across a large provider network* Ensuring contractual compliance and supporting performance reporting* Providing advice on contracting policies, procedures, and risks* Liaising with providers, Health New Zealand, and internal teams to support contract delivery* Contributing to the development and improvement of contract management systems and processesWe value diversity and welcome applications from disabled people and those who have lived experience with whānau, or the disability community.Please contact us if there is any support that we can provide to ensure the recruitment process is accessible to you.**What you bring | Ōu pūmanawatanga*** Proven experience in coordination and administration of contracts within a regulatory environment* A strong understanding of commissioning, contract law and contract management systems* Previous experience liaising with stakeholders and influencing outcomes* Detail-focused, analytical, and proactive in resolving issues* Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word and Excel)* Ability to manage competing priorities and respond to ambiguity* Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and inclusive practices**Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga**A copy of the position description can be found here. Contract Advisor position description.**Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $79,200.00 - $95,873.00****Applications close | Ka kati ngā tono hei te: Sunday 22nd November 2026.****About us | Mō mātou**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.**How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono**Before you submit your application, please take a moment to review our guidance to understand how AI can best support your application. Candidate Guidance - Responsible AI use in recruitment.To apply, click the 'Apply Now' button to upload your CV, cover letter and complete the online application form.Note: Your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process. Please highlight how your skills and experience relate to the key responsibilities listed in the position description and job advertisement.All applications must be made online. If this is not possible or if you have any queries, please contact us at [e-mail] MSD Employees – please apply through your myHR portal at work. This will ensure that your myHR employee profile is visible as internal candidate.**Joining us | Ko te hono mai**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.## Ngā taipitopito tūranga mahi | Job details| | || --- | --- || Employer: | Ministry of Social Development || Location: | Wellington - Wairarapa || Position type: | Permanent - Full Time || Category: | Other || Date listed: | 13-Nov-2026 || Salary range: | $79,200 - $95,873 || Closing date: | 22-Nov-2026 || Reference: | NZ/1957457 || Attachment: | contract-advisor (7).docx (Word, 286KB)Job Specification || File links: | || Website: | https://jobs.msd.govt.nz |