Principal Advisor

Ministry of Health New Zealand; Wellington; On-site; NZD 131,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wellness allowance after 12 months

Job summary

Ministry of Health New Zealand seeks a senior policy leader to influence international health policy and strengthen relationships with global partners.

You will provide strategic leadership on complex issues affecting health outcomes both domestically and internationally, working across government, with organisations including the World Health Organization, and with senior leaders to advance NZ's Global Health Strategy.

Qualifications

• Significant experience providing strategic policy advice.
• Proven experience operating at a principal level in international or foreign policy settings.
• Strong stakeholder engagement experience across government and international partners.
• Excellent analytical and critical thinking abilities for complex environments.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication, briefing ministers and senior leaders.

Responsibilities

• Shape New Zealand's global health priorities through strategic advice and leading work delivering outcomes domestically and internationally.
• Build influential relationships with international partners including WHO and foreign governments.
• Lead high-impact projects and negotiations positioning NZ as a trusted voice on international health issues.
• Drive team excellence through thought leadership, mentoring, and collaboration to lift capability and deliver quality outcomes.

Skills

Policy advice

International relations

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical thinking

Written & verbal communication

Te Tiriti o Waitangi knowledge

Job description

• Wellington based | Full-time | Permanent


• Wellness allowance after 12 months


• Midpoint of $145,198. Actual salary dependent on experience

What you’ll do - Ko tōu ake mahi

This is a unique opportunity to influence international health policy, strengthen relationships with global partners, and provide strategic leadership on complex issues that impact health outcomes both domestically and internationally. Working across government, with international organisations including the World Health Organization, and alongside senior leaders, you'll play a key role in advancing the Ministry's Global Health Strategy

• Help shape New Zealand's global health priorities by providing strategic advice and leading work that delivers meaningful outcomes at home and internationally.


• Build and strengthen influential relationships with international partners, including the World Health Organization, foreign governments, and key stakeholders across the health sector.


• Lead high-impact projects, negotiations, and global health initiatives that position New Zealand as a trusted voice on international health issues.


• Drive excellence across the team through thought leadership, mentoring, and collaboration, helping to lift capability and deliver quality outcomes.

What you’ll bring - Ko ngā pūkenga ōu

• Significant experience providing strategic policy advice and leading complex work programmes.


• Proven experience operating at a principal level in international, multilateral, or foreign policy environments


• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence across government, health, and international partners.


• Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills, with sound judgement in complex environments.


• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including experience briefing senior leaders and ministers.


• Knowledge of government decision-making, the political interface, and a commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations.

About The Ministry

As the Government's lead advisor on health, we help shape the future of New Zealand's health system through policy, regulation and monitoring. Join a team that makes a real difference to the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders while working in a supportive, inclusive environment that values wellbeing, growth and development.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are committed to an accessible and respectful recruitment process.

We will be doing interviews for shortlisted applicants on the 29th – 30th October 2026.