Senior Advisor High Needs Service

Oranga Tamariki; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 106,000 - 118,000; Full time

Job summary

Oranga Tamariki - Ministry for Children is seeking a Senior Advisor High Needs Services to support tamariki and rangatahi with complex needs at a national level. The role combines expert case work with strategic advisory responsibilities, coordinating care, assessments and service development across partners.

Reporting to the National Manager High Needs Services, you will build relationships with social workers, care providers, health and education sectors, and government agencies, driving

Qualifications

• Significant experience in understanding statutory social work and care.
• Strong understanding of complex care needs, service delivery and practice improvement.
• A current full driver''s licence.

Responsibilities

• Coordinating complex care responses and access to specialist placements and services
• Undertaking assessments and providing specialist advice
• Developing advice, reports and recommendations for senior leaders
• Supporting service design, improvement and innovation initiatives
• Monitoring service delivery and identifying opportunities for enhanced outcomes
• Leading and contributing to cross-agency projects and work programmes
• Building effective relationships across the social sector and government agencies

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

• Permanent, full-time opportunity with the High Needs Services team
• Location flexibility with ability to work from your closest Oranga Tamariki office

Oranga Tamariki - Ministry for Children has a commitment to putting tamariki and rangatahi at the heart of what we do. In our work, we aim to demonstrate these values:

• We put Tamariki first
• We respect the Mana of people
• We are Tika and Pono
• We value Whakapapa
• We recognise that Oranga is a journey

We are committed to ensuring that New Zealand is the best place in the world to be a child. We are also committed to ensuring Oranga Tamariki partners with hapū, iwi and Māori organisations to find appropriate solutions for tamariki in need.

Mō te tūnga | About the role

As a Senior Advisor High Needs Services, you'll play a critical role in supporting tamariki and rangatahi with complex and multi-layered needs by providing specialist advice, assessment, coordination and service development at a national level. Reporting to the National Manager High Needs Services, you'll work across Oranga Tamariki and with external partners to ensure access to high-quality care, specialist placements and services.

This role combines professional case work expertise with strategic advisory responsibilities. You'll lead complex care responses, undertake assessments, provide advice on service improvements, contribute to policy and programme development, and support best practice across the organisation. You'll also build strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders including social workers, care providers, health and education providers, NGOs and government agencies.

Key responsibilities include:

• Coordinating complex care responses and access to specialist placements and services
• Undertaking assessments and providing specialist advice
• Developing advice, reports and recommendations for senior leaders
• Supporting service design, improvement and innovation initiatives
• Monitoring service delivery and identifying opportunities for enhanced outcomes
• Leading and contributing to cross-agency projects and work programmes
• Building effective relationships across the social sector and government agencies

Key requirements of the role include:

• Significant experience in understanding statutory social work and care
• Strong understanding of complex care needs, service delivery and practice improvement
• Sound knowledge of the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989
• Experience developing advice, reports, briefings and correspondence for senior audiences
• Excellent relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills
• Understanding of tikanga Māori and commitment to working effectively with Māori, Pacific peoples and diverse communities
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and influencing skills
• A current full driver's licence.

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you

Oranga Tamariki offer a step-based remuneration package, that offers progression annually for experience through tenure. Annual remuneration for this position starts between $106,416 and $117,782 dependent on experience.

We also offer a vibrant and supportive team, flexible work options and a genuine commitment to wellbeing. We offer significant training and professional development so that you can thrive and grow. We welcome diversity and are committed to working in an inclusive and respectful way. This is your opportunity to apply your skills and experience to the wellbeing of tamariki and rangatahi.

To see all the benefits of working for Oranga Tamariki, please visit https://mahi.orangatamariki.govt.nz/working-with-us/employee-benefits/

Applications for this role close just before midnight on Thursday 3 September 2026