Data Analyst (x2)

New Zealand Government; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 79,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

Ministry of Social Development (MSD) is seeking a Data Analyst focused on data quality to improve the quality, reliability, and value of data across MSD. You will collaborate with business and technical teams to identify data quality issues, understand causes, and support solutions that improve how data is managed and used.

This role helps define data quality standards, monitor key data, investigate issues, and support ongoing improvements, ensuring MSD's data is trusted, accurate, and fit for

Qualifications

• Relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent experience in data, information management, statistics, computer science, or a related field.
• Experience analysing data and identifying data quality issues.
• Strong SQL skills and experience working with large datasets.

Responsibilities

• Identify data quality issues and root causes.
• Define data quality standards and monitoring.
• Collaborate with data owners, stewards, engineers and analysts to implement improvements.
• Develop dashboards, scorecards, or monitoring reports.

Skills

SQL

Data analysis

Data quality

Data governance

Stakeholder mgmt

Communication

Te Tiriti Waitangi knowledge

Root cause analysis

Education

Tertiary qualification in data/IT

Job description

Wellington based 24 Months Fixed term/Secondment opportunity

If you enjoy working with data, solving problems, and making a real impact through quality information, we'd love to hear from you.

About our team | Mō te tīma

MSD - services for the future is a multi-year programme to transform how we operate so we can deliver for New Zealanders and focus our resources and investment on the people who need it.

The programme will make significant changes to our underlying systems, processes, and introduce redesigned services that put people first.

The Information, Data, and Analytics team is leading an ambitious work programme to uplift our data and information capabilities to support the Transformation initiatives, while also establishing Enterprise level standards for BAU.

MSD operates within a highly complex data environment, and our focus is on creating trusted foundations that allow data to be managed deliberately and consistently over time. This includes developing the architectural standards, strengthening stewardship and governance, embedding a standardised data quality framework, and establishing master data management practices.

About the role | Mō te tūnga

As a Data Analyst with a focus on data quality, you will help improve the quality, reliability, and value of data across MSD. You will work with business and technical teams to identify data quality issues, understand their causes, and support solutions that improve how data is managed and used.

This role plays an important part in building strong data quality practices across the Ministry. You will help define data quality standards, monitor key data, investigate issues, and support ongoing improvements. Your work will help ensure MSD's data is trusted, accurate, and fit for purpose, enabling better services, reporting, and decision-making.

Working alongside data owners, data stewards, architects, engineers, and subject matter experts, you will contribute to a culture that values high-quality data and continuous improvement.

What you bring | Ōu pūmanawatanga

You are curious, analytical, and enjoy solving problems. You have experience working with data and can confidently investigate issues, identify trends, and provide practical recommendations. You are comfortable working with both technical and non-technical stakeholders and can explain complex information in a clear and simple way.

You will also bring:

• A relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent experience in data, information management, business analysis, statistics, computer science, or a related field.
• Experience analysing data and identifying data quality issues.
• Strong SQL skills and experience working with large datasets.
• Knowledge of data quality principles, including accuracy, completeness, consistency, validity, uniqueness, and timeliness.
• An understanding of data governance, metadata, and stewardship practices.
• Experience defining business rules, data requirements, and quality controls.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including root cause analysis.
• Experience developing dashboards, scorecards, or monitoring reports.
• Strong planning and organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to explain technical information in a business context.
• The ability to build trusted relationships and work collaboratively with a wide range of people.
• An understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its importance within the public sector.

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of MSD's data and information journey. If you are passionate about data quality and want to help build trusted and reliable information.

Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga

Data Analyst Position Description

Salary

Utu-ā-tau: $79,200.00 - $95,873.00

Applications close

Ka kati ngā tono hei te: Sunday 20th September, 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.