Principal Assurance Advisor

Civil Defence Group; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 148,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements

Health and wellbeing initiatives

Social events and employee networks

Job summary

The Treasury Te Tai Ōhanga is seeking a Principal Assurance Advisor to lead the coordination and delivery of IDA Reviews within the Treasury Assurance Unit. Based in Wellington, you will manage end-to-end IDA work, commission reviews, and translate findings into actionable advice for investors and Ministers.

You will bring strong governance experience, excellent communication, and the ability to navigate complex investment programmes in the NZ public sector.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Investment assurance

Portfolio governance

Risk-informed decision-making

Stakeholder communication

Relationship management

Political acumen

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification

Job description

Treasury Assurance Unit - Principal Assurance Advisor

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.

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.

This important work takes a special kind of person with a passion for making a difference and getting things done. We are committed to employing people, with a wide range of academic, cultural and social backgrounds and experiences, who represent the New Zealand community we serve. The specific experience, skills, and qualities that will help you succeed in this role include:

• 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.

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