Senior Advisor

Ministry of Health - Manatū Hauora; Wellington; On-site; NZD 98,000 - 119,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

4.4 weeks annual leave

Wellness allowance after 12 months

Job summary

Ministry of Health - Manatū Hauora invites applications for a Senior Advisor in the Determinants of Health team, within the Public Health Agency and Mental Health Group. You will provide high-quality strategic advice, lead complex initiatives and build influential relationships to improve health outcomes for New Zealanders.

You will lead policy development, briefing material, and monitoring approaches while coaching teams and ensuring robust, evidence-based recommendations reach Ministers and

Qualifications

• Significant experience in policy, strategy, advisory or related roles within complex environments.
• Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills, with the ability to develop evidence-based recommendations.
• Proven experience leading complex projects, work programmes or policy initiatives.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, including providing clear advice to Ministers and senior leaders.
• Strong understanding of public sector decision-making and machinery of government, with sound judgement and relationship-management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic advice: Develop high-quality policy advice, briefings, strategies and recommendations for Ministers and senior leaders.
• Lead complex work programmes: Deliver significant projects and initiatives aligned with organisational priorities, including monitoring, evaluation and reporting approaches.
• Build relationships and influence: Develop influential relationships across the Ministry, health sector and government, and represent the Ministry in cross-agency forums and stakeholder engagements.
• Strengthen capability and quality: Coach and mentor others, provide quality assurance of advice, and strengthen processes and tools to support effective delivery.

Skills

Policy experience

Strategic thinking

Analytical skills

Project leadership

Communication

Public sector knowledge

Job description

• Wellington based | Permanent | Full-time


• 4.4 weeks annual leave | Wellness allowance after 12 months


• Midpoint of $108,452.00 dependent on experience

What you’ll do - Ko tōu ake mahi

The Determinants of Health team sits within the Public Health Agency and Mental Health Group, supporting the Ministry’s work across public health and mental health. As a Senior Advisor, you’ll provide high-quality advice and leadership across key work programmes, using your strategic, analytical and subject matter expertise to help inform decision-making. You’ll lead complex initiatives, build influential relationships and work collaboratively across the Ministry and wider health system to support better and more equitable health outcomes for New Zealanders.

• Lead strategic advice: Develop high-quality policy advice, briefings, strategies and recommendations for Ministers and senior leaders, providing clear analysis of complex issues, risks and opportunities.


• Lead complex work programmes: Deliver significant projects and initiatives aligned with organisational priorities, including developing monitoring, evaluation and reporting approaches.


• Build relationships and influence: Develop influential relationships across the Ministry, health sector and government, and represent the Ministry in cross-agency forums, consultations and stakeholder engagements.


• Strengthen capability and quality: Coach and mentor others, provide quality assurance of advice, and strengthen processes, tools and frameworks to support effective delivery and continuous improvement

What you’ll bring - Ko ngā pūkenga ōu

• Significant experience in policy, strategy, advisory or related roles within complex environments.


• Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills, with the ability to develop evidence-based recommendations.


• Proven experience leading complex projects, work programmes or policy initiatives.


• Excellent communication and influencing skills, including providing clear advice to Ministers and senior leaders.


• Strong understanding of public sector decision-making and machinery of government, with sound judgement and relationship-management skills.

About the Ministry

As the Government’s lead advisor on health, we help shape the future of New Zealand’s health system through policy, regulation and monitoring. Join a team that makes a real difference to the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders while working in a supportive, inclusive environment that values wellbeing, growth and development.We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are committed to an accessible and respectful recruitment process.

Applications close Midnight Thursday 5th November 2026