Principal Advisor

New Zealand Government; Wellington; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 146,000; Full time

Job summary

New Zealand Government is seeking an experienced Principal Advisor to join the English Medium Workforce Supply team within the Education Workforce Supply Leadership Group. This role focuses on ensuring schools have a strong, skilled, and future-ready workforce, especially in hard-to-staff settings and language-rich environments.

You will work with a great team to provide high-quality analysis, contribute to and lead complex policy programmes, and develop innovative, practical policy options and

Qualifications

• Provide high quality and responsive analysis and advice.
• Contribute to and lead programmes of work that may be complex, ambiguous and sensitive.
• Develop innovative, practical, and effective customer-centric policy options and initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Provide high quality and responsive analysis and advice to inform policy decisions.
• Contribute to and lead programmes of work that may be complex, ambiguous and sensitive.
• Develop innovative, practical, and effective customer-centric policy options and initiatives.

Job description

Help shape the future of education in New ZealandHelp shape the future of EducationWe work to shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent outcomesOur organisation is made up of talented and committed people around Aotearoa, from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. While we work in different groups and on different things, we all strive every day to make the biggest difference we can for our students in our education system.About this role | Mo tenei turangaWe are seeking an experienced and motivated Principal Advisor to join our English Medium Workforce Supply team within our Education Workforce Supply Leadership Group.This role will help us ensure that schools have access to a strong, skilled, and future-ready workforce, particularly in the areas where it's needed most.This is a key role, focused on making sure Aotearoa has the right teachers, school leaders, and education professionals in the right places, especially in hard-to-staff settings and across language-rich environments.You will work in a great team to:provide high quality and responsive analysis and advicecontribute to and lead programmes of work that may be complex, ambiguous and sensitivedevelop innovative, practical, and effective customer centric policy options and initiatives.Salary range: $120,171 - $145,560 per annum plus KiwiSaver. The successful candidate will be appointed at a salary which reflects individual skills and experience.For more details about the role, you can view the Job Description here.About you | Mohou akeWe're looking for an experienced professional, that is happy working in an operational policy space. Someone who can bring policy and systems thinking, equity insight, and any wider experience with workforce in policy or otherwise, that would benefit our mahi.To be successful in the role, you need to be curious and a critical thinker and problem solver. You'll be a great communicator and work collaboratively with key internal and external stakeholders, developing relationships at all levels.Key to your success will be your strategic and curious approach alongside:excellent research, analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to gather, assess and synthesise complex informationstrong communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear and concise policy documents, and effectively communicate with diverse stakeholdersan ability to work independently and collaborate in a fast-paced environment, with high attention to accuracy and detail.The ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.About our group and team | Matau ropu akeTe Pou Ohumahi Matauranga | Education Workforce is a key part of the Ministry of Education. We develop the education workforce strategy, including a focus on specialist services, employment relations, pay equity, education payroll, education workforce supply and leadership, and scholarship functions.The English Medium Workforce Supply team is part of Education Workforce Supply Leadership within Te Pou Ohumahi Matauranga | Education Workforce. Our team is responsible for lifting the number, diversity and calibre of the education workforce, aligned to Government expectations and commitments. We shape the supply of a workforce with appropriate skills and qualifications to teach and support akonga in English medium schools, kura and early learning services. We work with a wide range of stakeholders and functional groups within and beyond the Ministry.We are proud of our mahi and the culture of our teams. We appreciate and support each other and develop strong relationships that underpin our ability to deliver good work.Are you ready to make a difference? | Kua rite koe mo tenei mahi?If this opportunity interests you, please submit your cover letter and resume by using the `apply' button. In your cover letter we'd like to know about you, your values, or anything else you'd like to share. We're keen to understand your motivations, strengths, transferable skills, and the diverse perspectives you will bring to the role.For further information, please contact Manager, Education Workforce Supply, Zak Sutton at [e-mail] will be assessed as they are received, with shortlisting and interviews undertaken on a rolling basis. Early application is therefore encouraged.Applications close Midnight - Wednesday 11 November 2026.We want our people to feel valued for their unique qualities and have a sense of belonging. If you require assistance or adjustments to fully participate in the recruitment process, please let us know.