Regional Health Advisor, Top of the South

Ministry of Social Development; Marlborough; Hybrid; NZD 103,000 - 126,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency seeks a Regional Health Advisor to support frontline teams across the Top of the South. This role focuses on advising case managers on health-related barriers impacting employment. You will need relevant health practitioner qualifications and strong communication skills. The position offers a competitive salary of $103,815.00 - $125,958.00 NZD and requires flexible travel across the Nelson, Marlborough, and West Coast regions.

Qualifications

• Experience in a community-focused or advisory role, ideally with a rehabilitation or employment focus.
• Strong relationship management and communication skills, including confidence in facilitating group presentations.
• Ability to work independently, analyse data, and make evidence-based recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders in the health and disability sector.
• Providing up-to-date advice on health conditions and how these may impact employment.
• Facilitating training and information sessions for staff and providers.

Skills

Health practitioner experience

Community-focused role

Relationship management

Communication skills

Education

Relevant qualification as health practitioner

Job description

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Regional Health Advisor, Top of the South

Location: Nelson / Marlborough / West Co, NZ

Company: Ministry of Social Development

• Full-time, permanent
• Location: Flexible within the Top of the South region (Nelson, Marlborough, or West Coast offices); travel across the region is required.

The Ministry of Social Development is a people-centred organisation. We’re in communities across the motu, working with partners to help New Zealanders be safe, strong and independent.

We provide social policy and advice to government and assistance, including income, employment and housing support to people of all ages, families, whānau and communities.

As a Te Tiriti o Waitangi partner we are committed to supporting and enabling Māori, whānau, hapū, Iwi and communities to realise their own potential and aspirations.

Our people are as diverse as the communities we serve. We care about the wellbeing and success of our people and provide a supportive and inclusive working environment where people can thrive and be who they are.

As a Regional Health Advisor, you’ll play a key role in supporting our frontline teams across the Top of the South. Rather than working directly with clients or patients, your expertise will be used to advise and guide our Case Managers and health sector partners. The focus is on empowering others—providing the knowledge, support, and training they need to help clients with health-related barriers to employment and wellbeing.

Face-to-face engagement with staff is a vital part of this role, ensuring strong relationships and effective support across all sites. As a trusted source of information and advice, you’ll help our teams navigate health-related matters that impact employment outcomes. Your work will directly contribute to helping clients overcome barriers and achieve their employment goals, by equipping our staff with the right knowledge and support.

Key responsibilities include:

• Building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders in the health and disability sector
• Providing up-to-date advice on health conditions, injury, and disability, and how these may impact employment
• Facilitating training and information sessions for staff and providers
• Gathering and analysing information to make evidence-based recommendations
• Championing health and disability responsiveness within MSD and the wider community
• Travelling across the region to engage with people in multiple locations

What you’ll need to succeed | Ko tō āhua

To be successful in this role, you’ll bring:

• Relevant qualification and experience as a health practitioner (e.g. occupational therapist, nurse, physiotherapist, or similar)
• Experience in a community-focused or advisory role, ideally with a rehabilitation or employment focus
• Strong relationship management and communication skills, including confidence in facilitating group presentations
• Ability to work independently, analyse data, and make evidence-based recommendations
• A collaborative approach and the ability to build rapport with a wide range of people
Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $103,815.00 - $125,958.00
How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono

To apply, click the 'Apply Now' button to upload your CV, cover letter and complete the online application form.

Note: Your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the key responsibilities listed in the position description.

All applications must be made online. If this is not possible or if you have any queries, please contact us at [e-mail]

Internal MSD Employees – please apply through your myHR portal at work. This will ensure that your myHR employee profile is visible as internal candidate.

Joining MSD means being part of a whānau that celebrates the diversity each individual represents. We show manaaki, we care about the wellbeing and success of people and want everyone to thrive, and be who they are in a supportive and inclusive working environment. We work together to make a difference for communities while doing the right thing with integrity. We are a Treaty partner committed to strengthening relationships with Māori, Hapū, Iwi and communities to realise their own potential and aspirations.

If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to tell us when you apply so we can assist you through the recruitment process.

MSD has a COVID-19 vaccination policy that encourages, but does not require, employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and its variants, unless the role is identified as requiring vaccination at the time.