Manager Recommissioning for Outcomes

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children; Wellington; On-site; NZD 175,000 - 194,000; Full time

Job summary

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children is leading a time-bound accelerator role to transform how services are commissioned, shifting from activity-based funding to outcomes-focused investment. You’ll drive priority recommissioning, define outcomes and measures, and guide investment decisions across tamariki, rangatahi and whānau in Aotearoa.

Reporting to the General Manager, Commissioning Transformation, you’ll work with partners, communities and government agencies to embed stronger

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading commissioning, service redesign, investment or transformation initiatives.
• Strong understanding of outcomes-based commissioning, performance frameworks and evaluation methodologies.
• Experience designing outcome measures, performance indicators or investment frameworks.
• Experience using evidence and insights to inform investment and service delivery decisions.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills.
• Experience working with partners, providers, iwi, Māori organisations and communities.
• Ability to apply Te Tiriti o Waitangi, equity and cultural responsiveness to commissioning, investment and service design.
• Experience working in ways that support meaningful participation by tamariki, rangatahi, whānau, iwi, Māori organisations and communities.
• Ability to navigate complexity and deliver change at pace.

Responsibilities

• Lead outcome-focused service and investment reviews.
• Identify the outcomes, performance measures and service parameters that will deliver the greatest impact.
• Design and deliver recommissioning programmes that align investment with evidence, need and desired outcomes.
• Support the shift from activity-based contracting to outcomes-focused commissioning.
• Work with partners, providers, whānau, iwi and communities to define success and how it should be measured.
• Develop investment proposals and business cases that maximise public value and impact.
• Lead recommissioning through procurement, implementation and ongoing performance monitoring, working with relevant commercial and specialist teams.
• Build and lead a high-performing team driving commissioning transformation.

Skills

Outcomes-based commissioning

Stakeholder engagement

Program management

Change leadership

Job description

Help redefine what success looks like for tamariki, rangatahi and whānau. Lead the shift from funding services to investing in outcomes, and help build a commissioning system that delivers lasting impact across Aotearoa.

• Lead the transition to outcomes-focused commissioning
• Shape investment decisions that improve outcomes and create lasting impact
• Fixed-term or secondment opportunity until 30 June 2027 | Wellington

Mō mātou | About us

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children is committed to improving outcomes for tamariki and rangatahi and ensuring New Zealand is the best place in the world to be a child.

We work alongside whānau, hapū, iwi, Māori organisations, partners and providers, communities and government agencies to deliver services that make a meaningful difference in people's lives.

Mō te tūnga | About the role

This is not a business-as-usual management role.

We're transforming how Oranga Tamariki commissions services, shifting from funding activity to investing in outcomes.

This is a time-bound accelerator role, established to drive priority recommissioning work and embed stronger outcomes-focused approaches ahead of 30 June 2027.

Reporting to the General Manager, Commissioning Transformation, you'll lead major recommissioning programmes that help define the outcomes we want to achieve, how success will be measured, and where investment can be redirected to achieve better outcomes for tamariki, rangatahi, whānau and communities.

Working across Oranga Tamariki and alongside partners, providers, communities and government agencies, you'll use evidence, insights and service reviews to identify what works, what doesn't, and where investment can be redirected to achieve better outcomes.

You’ll play a central role in shaping future commissioning approaches, performance expectations and investment decisions, helping build a commissioning system that focuses on impact rather than activity.

This is a rare opportunity to help build a more outcomes-focused commissioning system and leave a lasting legacy for children and families across Aotearoa.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead outcome-focused service and investment reviews
• Identify the outcomes, performance measures and service parameters that will deliver the greatest impact
• Design and deliver recommissioning programmes that align investment with evidence, need and desired outcomes
• Support the shift from activity-based contracting to outcomes-focused commissioning
• Work with partners, providers, whānau, iwi and communities to define success and how it should be measured
• Develop investment proposals and business cases that maximise public value and impact
• Lead recommissioning through procurement, implementation and ongoing performance monitoring, working with relevant commercial and specialist teams
• Build and lead a high-performing team driving commissioning transformation

Ko wai ka whai oranga i roto i tēnei mahi? | Who will thrive in this role?

You’ll thrive if you:

• Challenge the status quo and focus on outcomes rather than activity
• Are curious about what truly drives better outcomes and how success should be measured
• Use evidence and insights to influence investment decisions
• Turn strategy into delivery and ideas into action
• Enjoy leading significant change programmes
• Build strong partnerships across diverse stakeholders
• Want to shape the future of public services and leave a lasting legacy

Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu | What you will bring

You’ll bring significant experience leading commissioning, service redesign, investment or transformation initiatives, along with:

• Experience leading recommissioning, service improvement or system transformation programmes
• Strong understanding of outcomes-based commissioning, performance frameworks and evaluation methodologies
• Experience designing outcome measures, performance indicators or investment frameworks
• Experience using evidence and insights to inform investment and service delivery decisions
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills
• Experience working with partners, providers, iwi, Māori organisations and communities
• The ability to apply Te Tiriti o Waitangi, equity and cultural responsiveness to commissioning, investment and service design
• Experience working in ways that support meaningful participation by tamariki, rangatahi, whānau, iwi, Māori organisations and communities
• The ability to navigate complexity and deliver change at pace

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you

Annual remuneration: $174,846 - $193,569

This is a career-defining opportunity to help shape how services are commissioned, funded and improved.

You will work alongside committed colleagues, partners and providers to strengthen investment decisions and achieve better outcomes for tamariki, rangatahi and whānau.

If you are motivated by the opportunity to shift investment from activity to impact and help build a stronger outcomes-focused commissioning system, we would love to hear from you.

Applications close at midnight on Wednesday 21 October 2026.

If you are interested in any of our vacancies, please ensure that you make yourself familiar with our Code of Conduct, which sets out expectations for all kaimahi and requires employees to present at work free from the influence of drugs and alcohol.