Principal Advisor, Fixed Term

NZ Ministry of Justice; Wellington; On-site; NZD 130,000 - 168,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work hours

Inclusive networks

Job summary

NZ Ministry of Justice in Wellington is seeking a Principal Advisor for the Policy Group's District Court and Criminal Procedure team on a fixed-term secondment until 30 June 2027. This role shapes thinking and drives legislative change across the justice sector.

You will lead significant policy projects, apply a coaching approach to develop advisors, and work with diverse internal and external stakeholders to test analyses and inform decision-makers.

Qualifications

• Leadership experience on significant policy projects.
• Extensive knowledge of machinery of government and public policy.
• Excellent written and oral communication and stakeholder engagement.
• Right to work in New Zealand; tertiary qualification.

Responsibilities

• Lead policy projects within the Policy Group's District Court and Criminal Procedure team.
• Shape thinking and drive legislative change across the justice sector.
• Engage diverse internal and external stakeholders and test analyses for decision-makers.

Skills

Leadership

Advisory skills

Communication skills

Relationship building

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

NZ Ministry of Justice – Wellington Central, North Island

Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini. Success is not the work of one, but the work of many.

Te Haeata/The Opportunity

We have a fixed-term opportunity in the District Court and Criminal Procedure team in the Policy Group at the Ministry of Justice, to cover a secondment until 30 June 2027.

Work in the Justice Policy Group includes opportunities to shape thinking and drive legislative change across the justice sector and all of government. We work at the interface of the executive, parliamentary and judicial branches of government. Our work is interesting and challenging, with a chance to apply your critical thinking and relationship management skills.

Principal Advisors in the Policy Group bring deep policy experience to fill key leadership roles within our teams. They support capability, provide authoritative advice, and lead programmes of work on complex and sensitive issues.

If you have policy experience and are a thoughtful problem solver and you work well as part of a team, then we want to hear from you.

We are looking for:

• Leadership skills - Experience in leading others in significant policy projects, and applying a coaching approach to enhance the capability of advisors and senior advisors
• Advisory skills - Extensive knowledge of machinery of government and public policy, and the ability to think critically and anticipate risks and test analyses
• Communication skills - Excellent written and oral communication skills - in particular, the ability to present complex issues in an accessible way, ask questions to improve understanding, and influence decision-makers
• Relationship skills - Strong skills in engaging diverse internal and external stakeholders, and incorporating their perspectives

We will support your well-being and professional development, empower you to coach others, and be coached by experienced policy professionals, and provide opportunities to work on a broad range of important and challenging policy problems.

The successful candidate will have a relevant tertiary qualification, knowledge, skills, and experience. Experience with the legislative process is an advantage but is not essential. Te Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi analysis skills are highly desirable.

Applicants must have the right to work in New Zealand. This role is based at National Office in Wellington, so we are not able to consider applications for full-time remote work. We are, however, open to discussing flexible working options that work for both you and the business.

At Te Tāhū o te Ture - the Ministry of Justice, we're committed to strengthening people's trust in the law of Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Joining Te Tāhū o te Ture means you will become part of an organisation that welcomes and supports people of all gender identities, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, disabilities and religions.

We offer you a range of benefits to support your wellbeing and help make the Ministry a great place to be. These include:

• flexible work hours where possible
• access to a variety of inclusive and proactive networks

The appointing salary for this role will be between $130,129 to $168,062 pro rata based on skills and experience.

Applications close on 18 September 2026. We may review CVs as they come in and invite successful candidates to interview before the close date.

If you have any questions, please contact***********@justice.govt.nz