Senior Advisor, Migrant and Refugee Support

New Zealand Government Joba; Auckland; On-site; NZD 86,000 - 99,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

KiwiSaver

Job summary

New Zealand Government Joba is seeking a Senior Advisor on a 12-month secondment or fixed-term basis to support migrant and refugee background students, families and communities across Manawatu, Taranaki and other regions, and to contribute to national initiatives within the Education Services Group.

You will work with early learning centres and schools, partner with senior leaders, and apply te Tiriti principles to improve educational outcomes while coordinating cross-agency initiatives and

Qualifications

• Experience building relationships with families and communities and settlement agencies.
• Strong understanding of NZ education system, particularly compulsory sector.
• Ability to solve complex problems and make decisions to deliver services.
• Experience evaluating data to improve educational outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and implement support initiatives for migrant and refugee background students and families.
• Work with senior school leaders to ensure access to quality education.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders at senior levels.
• Provide guidance to education settings to support attendance and participation.

Skills

Relationship building

Stakeholder engagement

Data evaluation

Education sector knowledge

Job description

About this role | Mō tēnei tūranga

This is a 12 month secondment or fixed term position. The Senior Advisor will support the development of the Ministry's capability and responsiveness through the co-ordination and implementation of support initiatives for migrant and refugee background students, families and communities. This is an ideal opportunity for someone who has worked with migrants and former refugees in the education sector, to provide support in the Manawatu, Taranaki and other regions as required, as well as contributing to national initiatives.

Salary range: $86,225 - $98,717 per annumplus KiwiSaver. The successful candidate will be appointed at a salary which reflects individual skills and experience.

About you | Mōhou ake

In this role you will support early learning centres and schools in working to meet the needs of migrant and refugee background students and their families. You will work with senior school leaders to ensure access to quality education for migrant and refugee background children and young people.

To be successful in the role, you'll be working collaboratively with key internal and external stakeholders, developing relationships at senior levels.

You will bring expertise in:

• building successful relationships and working with families and communities and other settlement related agencies understanding of the NZ education system, particularly the compulsory sector influencing and working with others to implement support initiatives solving complex problems and making decisions to deliver and implement effective services using your evaluative skills to work with data and information to improve educational achievement for all students

You will also offer:

• the ability to understand and apply the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi an understanding of the provision of learning supports in the New Zealand education system would be an advantage. The ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.

About our group and team | Mātau rōpū ake

The Education Services Group provides well-designed, integrated education services that support the impactful and effective operation of education settings to support student achievement and participation. The services help to remove barriers to participation and learning and provide regulatory advice, support and oversight to early learning providers, schools and kura.

The Group has three key priorities for Education Services:

• Practice & Guidance: Managing practice and guidance to improve national coordination and consistency, whilst enabling regional autonomy for education service delivery.
• Integration & Delivery: Providing education support directly to education settings via integrated regional and national services. This includes intervening when necessary to ensure a high standard of operation to support student outcomes and owning key stakeholder relationships to support schooling improvement and stronger outcomes for learners.
• Monitoring & Improvement: Monitoring and advising on improvements to the effectiveness, efficiency and equity of services for achievement and progression, and attendance and participation. This includes monitoring education provider performance against regulations and intervening as required.

Are you ready to make a difference? | Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi?

For further information, please contact Abdirizak Abdi, Team Leader Refugee and Migrant Education at [e-mail]

Applications close Midnight - Wednesday, 14 October 2026.

We want our people to feel valued for their unique qualities and have a sense of belonging. If you require assistance or adjustments to fully participate in the recruitment process, please let us know.