Principal Assurance Advisor

The Treasury - New Zealand; Wellington; On-site; NZD 148,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements

Health and wellbeing initiatives

Career development opportunities

Job summary

The Treasury invites applications for a Principal Assurance Advisor to lead the coordination and delivery of IDA Reviews within the Treasury Assurance Unit in Wellington, New Zealand. This is a full-time fixed-term role (40 hours per week) based in Wellington for 12 months.

You will provide end-to-end responsibility for IDA Reviews, manage risks, and translate assurance findings into practical advice for senior officials and Ministers.

Qualifications

• A relevant tertiary qualification and significant experience across investment assurance, major projects, public finance, business cases or portfolio governance.
• Strong assurance judgement, with the ability to navigate complexity and ambiguity and determine when escalation or further assurance is required.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to provide clear, concise and influential advice to Ministers and senior decision-makers.
• Experience working with independent reviewers, advisers or assurance providers, including managing conflicts of interest and provider performance.
• Strong relationship management and influencing skills, with political nous and credibility with senior stakeholders in a New Zealand public sector environment.
• Knowledge or experience of digital transformation, organisational change or other complex investment programmes, with strong planning and prioritisation skills.
• Strong understanding of the New Zealand public sector environment, with the ability to obtain and maintain the required security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the coordination and delivery of IDA Reviews.
• End-to-end responsibility for IDA Reviews within your portfolio.
• Commission reviews, manage key risks, and translate assurance findings into clear, practical advice and system insights for investors, senior officials and Ministers.
• Support senior leaders and Ministers with timely, evidence-based recommendations.

Skills

Assurance judgement

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

Relationship management

Risk management

Policy/portfolio governance

Education

Tertiary qualification

Job description

Treasury Assurance Unit - Principal Assurance Advisor

Mō mātou | About Us

At The Treasury Te Tai Ōhanga we're creating a better future for New Zealand and everyone who calls our amazing country home. We're the Government's economic and financial advisor, working hard to raise the standard of living for everyone in Aotearoa, now and in the future. Our talented people bring their diverse backgrounds and experiences to tackling New Zealand's biggest and most inter-connected issues. Every day, they are influencing, advising, and supporting Ministers, Crown CEOs and Government decision-makers to shape our country’s collective tomorrow. The Treasury Assurance Unit (TAU) is a new team established within the Budget and Fiscal Strategy Division to coordinate non-infrastructure Investment Decision Assurance (IDA) reviews, operate and maintain the IDA framework, and provide system-level assurance insights.

Kōrero mō te tūranga | About the Role

We are on the hunt for a highly skilled and motivated Principal Assurance Advisor to join our TAU. In this role, you will provide leadership for the coordination and delivery of IDA Reviews. You will have end-to-end responsibility for IDA Reviews within your portfolio. This includes commissioning reviews, managing key risks, and translating assurance findings into clear, practical advice and system insights for investors, senior officials and Ministers. This is a full time, fixed term position (40 hours per week) based in Wellington, New Zealand for 12 months.

Ō pūmanawa | About You

• A relevant tertiary qualification and significant experience across investment assurance, major projects, public finance, business cases or portfolio governance, with strong knowledge of the Public Finance and Investment Management Systems and risk-informed decision-making.
• Strong assurance judgement, with the ability to navigate complexity and ambiguity and determine when escalation or further assurance is required.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to provide clear, concise and influential advice to Ministers and senior decision-makers.
• Experience working with independent reviewers, advisers or assurance providers, including managing conflicts of interest and provider performance.
• Strong relationship management and influencing skills, with political nous and credibility with senior stakeholders in a New Zealand public sector environment.
• Knowledge or experience of digital transformation, organisational change or other complex investment programmes, with strong planning and prioritisation skills.
• Strong understanding of the New Zealand public sector environment, with the ability to obtain and maintain the required security clearance.

Ko ngā hua | What we Offer

• This is an important job and that's why we'll do all we can to support your success. Flexible work arrangements along with a range of other health and wellbeing initiatives, will help you enjoy a positive work/life balance. Our numerous social events, sports teams and employee networks will enable you to connect and have fun.
• The wharenui, at the heart of our workplace, embodies our commitment to diversity and making this an inclusive place that will welcome the unique experiences and perspectives you bring to our collaborative team culture.
• We'll prioritise your development, offering you opportunities to train and advance your chosen career. The work will stimulate and challenge you, helping you learn, grow and build valuable experience and skills.
• The base salary range for this role is $148,404.90 to $174,594.00. Appointments will be made based on the successful candidate's skills, experience and alignment with the requirements of the role.

For more information and a kōrero please contact us at [e-mail].

Kia Pono (Making a Difference) | Kia Whakamana (Enhancing Mana) | Kia Hono (Achieving Together)