Principal Advisor Branch Performance

Department of Internal Affairs; Wellington; On-site; NZD 129,000 - 161,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Internal Affairs is seeking a Principal Advisor for the Branch Performance team to work directly with senior leaders, providing strategic advice, governance, and oversight on high-profile priorities. You will influence at senior levels and shape major programmes across government.

You will lead strategic planning, manage risks, and drive performance improvements while engaging with Ministers' offices and other agencies.

Qualifications

• Combination of strategic leadership, political acumen and exceptional relationship management.
• Experience with Ministers' offices and senior leaders, briefing on complex or high-profile issues.
• Ability to navigate the machinery of government and provide clear strategic advice.

Responsibilities

• Provide trusted strategic advice to senior leaders and support decision-making on complex and sensitive issues.
• Lead and contribute to branch and departmental planning, governance, accountability and performance processes.
• Build strong relationships across government agencies and stakeholder groups.
• Support leadership teams to identify and manage strategic risks and opportunities.
• Lead priority projects and initiatives that improve organisational performance and capability.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Political acumen

Relationship management

Ministerial liaison

Briefing complex issues

Governance

Identity Services Improvement Roadmap

Job description

About Us | Mō mōō tōōō The Department of Internal Affairs is seeking an exceptional Principal Advisor to join our Branch Performance team. This is a unique opportunity to work directly with senior leaders, providing strategic advice, thought leadership, and oversight across some of the Department's most complex and high-profile priorities. The role supports the Deputy Secretary and Director Branch Performance to drive organisational performance, strengthen accountability, and ensure effective delivery of strategic outcomes.

The role | Te tōung a

As Principal Advisor, you will act as a senior strategic partner to leadership, providing insight, judgement and advice on emerging opportunities, risks and issues. You will work across organisational boundaries, influence at senior levels, and help shape the direction of significant programmes of work.

You will:

• Provide trusted strategic advice to senior leaders and support decision-making on complex and sensitive issues.
• Lead and contribute to branch and departmental planning, governance, accountability and performance processes.
• Build strong relationships across government agencies and stakeholder groups.
• Support leadership teams to identify and manage strategic risks and opportunities.
• Lead priority projects and initiatives that improve organisational performance and capability.

What you'll bring | Nō u te rourou

• We're interested in candidates who bring a combination of strategic leadership, political acumen and exceptional relationship management skills.
• You'll bring experience working with Ministers' offices and senior leaders, briefing on complex or high-profile issues, and navigating the machinery of government.
• You'll provide clear strategic advice and sound judgement in fast-moving, ambiguous environments.
• You'll work confidently across the Branch and agencies to deliver collective outcomes.
• Experience in national security, all-of-government coordination or the ODESC environment would be a strong advantage.
• You'll build trusted relationships with leaders across the Branch to support development and delivery of the Identity Services Improvement Roadmap.

All candidates must be New Zealand citizens and have the ability to obtain a Top Secret security clearance. You can check your eligibility for a national security clearance at www.protectivesecurity.govt.nz/guidance/getting-a-national-security-clearance/eligibility-tool.

For you | Mō u

At the Department of Internal Affairs, we are committed to offering a collaborative and innovative culture where your perspective and ideas will be welcomed. We want our people to thrive within a culture of best practice, while being able to set and achieve goals and be encouraged to challenge the status quo.

To learn more about the diverse and important mahi we do at the Department and see why we're a great place to work, visit our website: https://www.dia.govt.nz

Salary range: $129,271 - $160,871 per annum.

To download a copy of the job description please click here - RIS_BP_Principal_Advisor_Branch_Performance.pdf

Applications close Sunday 25 October 2026.

For further information, please contact Jo Attewell at [e-mail].