Principal Advisor to DCE S&CS

NZ Qualifications Authority; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Supportive team

Variety of work

Career development

Job summary

NZ Qualifications Authority is seeking a Principal Advisor to the DCE, Strategic and Corporate Services. This high-impact, fast-paced role requires proactive, strategic thinking and the ability to navigate ambiguity while delivering high-quality advice across divisions.

You will lead cross-organisational initiatives, develop insights for Ministers' Offices and other partners, and mentor teams to ensure robust, clear communications and evaluation of complex education policies.

Qualifications

• Strong written and oral communication tailored to audiences.
• Strategic thinking with critical judgment in option development.
• Ability to bring teams together and arrive at a consensus.
• Experience developing and delivering integrated communications strategies and plans.
• Ability to use data and insights to identify trends, risks and opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, guidance and advisory services as required.
• Offer insight and advice on matters to the DCE, Strategic and Corporate Services.
• Facilitate effective solutions for urgent or ongoing issues.
• Maintain relationships with NZQA staff, Ministers' Offices and other government and non-government organisations.
• Support teams with understanding of public sector and government issues to guide decisions.

Skills

Strong written and oral communication

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Cross-team collaboration

Data-informed advisory

Consensus building

Job description

Principal Advisor to the DCE, Strategic and Corporate Services

• Key thought leadership role
• High impact and fast paced role
• Proactive and self-initiated
• Navigate through ambiguity
• Key cross-division and cross-organisational role
• Strong written and communication skills

Whakatairangatia ngā kete o te mātauranga ki te ao mārama! E te tai whakarunga, e te tai whakararo - nau piki mai, nau kake mai ki te Mana Tohu Mātauranga o Aotearoa.

May the baskets of knowledge (education) be brought into the world of light. We welcome one and all to join us at the New Zealand Qualifications Authority.

The Principal Advisor will support DCE, S&CS by providing insight and advice on a range of matters, facilitates effective solutions to urgent or ongoing issues, reporting and maintains effective working relationships with kaimahi within NZQA, Ministers' Offices and other government and non-government organisations.

The role will provide leadership, guidance and advisory services as required. It requires a strategic and broad understanding of the key issues facing NZQA, the public sector and government, as well as excellent communication skills, with an eye for detail and a high level of accuracy.

In addition to the above, the role is also expected to support NZQA teams in ensuring our products and services supported disabled customers.

Skills and experience

Are you an experienced professional, passionate about supporting the aspirations of young people, able to distil complex information into plain language, and have a strong focus on attention to detail? You are strategic and analytical in your thinking, able to make decisions and problem solve, while being empathetic and build strong relationships. You will be adept at developing high quality advice, and executing organisational and communications strategies.

• Strong written (e.g. memos, briefings, presentations) and oral communication skills with the ability to tailor complex messages to a range of audiences.
• Experience working strategically and applying critical thinking, as well as sound judgement in the development of options and provision of advice.
• Ability to bring teams (from senior managers to frontline staff and external stakeholders), people and perspective together and help arrive at a consensus.
• Experience managing the end-to-end development and delivery of integrated and measurable communications strategies and plans for most complex projects and issues.
• Experience in the development and presentation of well-articulated, robust advice, papers, and reports.
• A proven ability to use data and insights to identify trends, risks, and opportunities, to influence and guide organisational and system-level decision making.
• Experience in developing, maintaining, and influencing relationships internally and externally, across various groups, including at a senior level.

About us

NZQA is a te reo Māori learning organisation and is committed to equity and lifelong learning. We welcome candidates from diverse backgrounds that will enrich our understanding of the education system. We prioritise the importance of understanding tikanga in building a culturally responsive workplace. NZQA is dedicated to providing a welcoming environment to Māori and Pacific staff and has active Māori and Pacific staff networks which contribute to NZQA's strategic action plans - Te Kōkiritanga and Takiala Pasifika.

What we can offer

• A supportive team / whānau environment
• A role with lots of variety
• Development and career progression opportunities

For more information about this role and NZQA please refer to the job description, NZQA's Customer Charter and Organisational Values.

Applications close at 5.00pm on Wednesday 9 September 2026

You must have the right to live and work in Aotearoa New Zealand to apply for this role.

NZQA is committed to developing a diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities and welcome applications from everyone who can meet the requirements of the role.