National Youth Justice Programme Leader (MSA)

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children; Palmerston North; On-site; NZD 147,000 - 163,000; Full time

Job summary

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children in Palmerston North seeks a Kaiwhakahaere to lead the Military Style Academy (MSA) Programme, a high-profile intervention for serious youth offenders, delivering education, therapy, and structured activities to support rehabilitation and reintegration.

You will lead 30+ kaimahi, ensure high-quality delivery, and maintain relationships with rangatahi, whānau, mana whenua, and stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Significant leadership experience within Youth Justice or related sector
• Experience leading large multidisciplinary teams in complex operational environments
• Strong understanding of NZ Youth Justice system and rehabilitation approaches for rangatahi
• Experience in operational, financial, and people leadership including workforce planning
• Ability to build partnerships with iwi, mana whenua, government agencies, and community organisations
• Experience working in secure residential environments or similar 24/7 settings
• Strong risk management, critical thinking, and decision-making capabilities
• Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and culturally responsive leadership
• A relevant tertiary or Social Worker qualification and a current full NZ Driver Licence

Responsibilities

• Leading and developing a multidisciplinary workforce delivering all components of the MSA Programme.
• Providing strategic leadership and operational oversight to ensure high-quality programme delivery.
• Driving performance, continuous improvement, and excellence in practice.
• Ensuring compliance with legislative, regulatory, and organisational requirements.
• Building and maintaining strong partnerships with mana whenua, government agencies, community organisations, and service providers.
• Maintaining oversight of risk management, health and safety, security, and incident response.
• Overseeing programme resources, budgets, reporting, and governance requirements.
• Working closely with residential leadership to ensure a coordinated and effective approach to supporting rangatahi.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Risk management

People management

Cultural capability

Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Education

Tertiary qualification or Social Worker qualification

NZ Driver Licence

Job description

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children in Palmerston North seeks a Kaiwhakahaere to lead the Military Style Academy (MSA) Programme, a high-profile intervention for serious youth offenders, delivering education, therapy, and structured activities to support rehabilitation and reintegration.

You will lead 30+ kaimahi, ensure high-quality delivery, and maintain relationships with rangatahi, whānau, mana whenua, and stakeholders.