Principal Advisor, Te Ao Marama

Ministry of Justice (New Zealand); Wellington; On-site; NZD 130,000 - 168,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday leave 4.4 weeks

Professional development portal

Inclusive networks

Job summary

Ministry of Justice in Wellington is seeking an experienced Principal Advisor Te Ao Mārama to provide strategic advice and people-centred design expertise to embed Te Ao Mārama across the District Court. You will work with iwi, hapū and sector partners to translate kaupapa Māori approaches into practical frameworks and lead capability initiatives.

The role requires clear communication with senior leaders and communities to shape inclusive justice outcomes.

Qualifications

• Proven strategic advisory capability in large, complex organisations.
• Ability to provide advice on complex issues and navigate ambiguity.
• Experience working with iwi, hapū, Māori organisations or communities.
• Experience applying kaupapa Māori approaches.
• Experience leading or influencing major work programmes.
• Ability to build trusted relationships with senior leaders and stakeholders.
• Clear and persuasive communication with diverse audiences.
• Capability uplift and shared learning across sectors.

Responsibilities

• Provide trusted strategic advice to embed Te Ao Mārama nationally.
• Apply people centred design, systems thinking and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with iwi, hapū, Māori organisations and justice partners.
• Lead capability initiatives and communities of practice.
• Advise on risks, planning, reporting and long-term sustainability.
• Navigate complex issues across organisational, judicial and sector settings.

Job description

Te Haeata / The Opportunity

This role is based in Wellington. We are seeking an experienced and motivated Principal Advisor Te Ao Mārama to provide strategic advice, thought leadership and people centred design expertise to support the embedding of Te Ao Mārama across the District Court. Te Ao Mārama is the District Court's response to longstanding calls for change to the justice system. This is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of justice in Aotearoa New Zealand — one that reflects the aspirations of iwi and communities and enhances justice for all. More information about Te Ao Mārama is available here. As Principal Advisor Te Ao Mārama, you will work at the forefront of a nationally significant kaupapa. You will navigate complex and sometimes ambiguous issues, connect national direction with local practice, and translate evidence, operational insights and kaupapa Māori approaches into practical frameworks, advice and improvements.

You will have the opportunity to:

• Provide trusted strategic advice and thought leadership to support the national embedding and sustainable delivery of Te Ao Mārama
• Apply service design, human-centred design, systems thinking and continuous improvement approaches to strengthen nationally consistent and locally responsive justice services
• Work alongside iwi, hapū, Māori organisations, communities, the judiciary and justice sector partners to support participatory, culturally responsive design and local implementation
• Lead capability initiatives and support communities of practice that enable shared learning, consistency and practical improvements across courts
• Provide high-quality advice on risks, opportunities, planning, reporting, business readiness and the long-term sustainability of Te Ao Mārama

This is an opportunity to make a practical and enduring contribution to a justice system that is more accessible, inclusive, culturally responsive and effective for everyone in Aotearoa.

Ō pūkenga / Skills and Experience

To be successful in this role, you will bring proven strategic advisory capability, sound judgement and experience working in large, complex organisations. You will be confident providing advice on complex issues, working through ambiguity, and influencing across organisational, judicial, iwi, community and sector settings.

Your experience will include:

• Working with iwi, hapū, Māori organisations or communities, and applying kaupapa Māori approaches appropriately
• Using people centred design, systems thinking or continuous improvement methodologies to shape practical and sustainable improvements
• Leading or influencing significant work programmes, including planning, reporting, risk management, business readiness and implementation in complex operating environments
• Building trusted relationships with senior leaders, the judiciary, iwi, community partners, government agencies and justice sector stakeholders
• Communicating clearly and persuasively with a wide range of audiences on complex and sensitive issues
• Supporting capability uplift, shared learning and communities of practice to embed consistency and continuous improvement.

You will be a natural collaborator who works effectively as part of a team, across the wider Ministry and with sector partners. You will also bring, or be able to quickly build, a strong understanding of the machinery of government, the courts, the judiciary and the broader justice sector.

Mō mātou / About us

At Te Tāhū o te Ture - Ministry of Justice, we are committed to strengthening people's trust in the law of Aotearoa New Zealand. Te Ao Mārama is designed to support a more accessible, inclusive and effective justice system for all. Led by the judiciary and sitting at the heart of operational delivery, Te Ao Mārama brings together the expertise of the judiciary, iwi and communities within the District Court system. As part of Operations and Service Delivery, you will work alongside dedicated teams who are committed to delivering modern, people-centred justice services, continuous improvement and partnership with the communities we serve. 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.

Ngā painga o tēnei wāhi mahi / What's great about working here

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

• 4.4 weeks holiday leavean online professional development portalaccess to a variety of inclusive and proactive networks

See our full range of benefits here. With a wide range of jobs, you also get the chance to gain a variety of skills and experience while developing your career.

Utu ā-tau / Salary

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

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