Senior Advisor, Strategy and Enablement

Ministry of Social Development; Wellington; On-site; NZD 104,000 - 126,000; Full time

Job summary

Ministry of Social Development is seeking a Senior Advisor, Strategy and Enablement, in a fixed-term role to August 2027. You will shape strategic thinking, provide practical guidance, and support delivery across Whaikaha and related government workstreams.

You will build relationships, influence decision-making and drive continuous improvement across strategy, projects, finance, risk and systems. A strong emphasis on collaboration and Te Tiriti o Waitangi is required.

Qualifications

• Experience providing high-quality advice and analysis in a complex organisational environment.
• Strong relationship management and collaborative working across diverse groups.
• Excellent planning, coordination and problem-solving to manage competing priorities.
• Experience with business systems and continuous improvement in Microsoft 365 environments.

Responsibilities

• Provide advice and analysis to solve complex problems and inform decisions.
• Lead and contribute to projects, programmes and improvement initiatives delivering outcomes.
• Support planning, coordination, reporting, and delivery across priorities.
• Partner with leaders to identify opportunities, manage risks and boost performance.
• Provide practical financial advice and contribute to planning decisions.
• Build trusted relationships across government, disability community and stakeholders.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Relationship management

Planning & coordination

Problem solving

Communication

Delivery excellence

Tools

Microsoft 365

Job description

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We’re looking for a Senior Advisor to join us in a fixed term role until the end of August 2027 to support our enabling functions while we consider how these are best organised and delivered, and how they align with wider public sector direction.

Mō te tūnga | About the role

As the Senior Advisor, Strategy and Enablement, you’ll provide strategic thinking, practical support and expert guidance across a diverse portfolio of work. You’ll help drive improvement, strengthen organisational capability and support the delivery of high-quality business services and systems.

This is a varied role where you’ll work across strategy, projects, finance, risk and continuous improvement, building strong relationships and influencing positive outcomes across Whaikaha.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing advice and analysis that helps solve complex problems and supports informed decision-making.
• Leading and contributing to projects, work programmes and improvement initiatives that deliver meaningful organisational outcomes.
• Supporting planning, coordination, reporting and delivery across a range of strategic and operational priorities.
• Partnering with leaders and colleagues to identify opportunities, manage risks and strengthen organisational performance.
• Providing practical financial advice and contributing to planning and decision-making processes.
• Building trusted relationships across government, the disability community and other key stakeholders.

You bring:

• Experience providing high-quality advice, analysis and support within a complex organisational environment.
• Strong relationship management skills and the ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of people and groups.
• Excellent planning, coordination and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver results.
• Experience working with business systems, operational processes and continuous improvement initiatives, including Microsoft 365-based environments.
• An understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, accessibility and inclusive practice.
• An understanding of the machinery of government is desirable, but not essential.

We encourage applications from Deaf and disabled people, Turi Māori, tāngata whaikaha Māori, and those with lived experience. Ifyou’repassionate about inclusion and ready to learn,we’dlove to hear from you.

Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $103,767.00 - $125,899.00

At Whaikaha, we work with government, businesses, and communities to create real change for Deaf and disabled people and tāngata whaikaha Māori.

We value wellbeing and provide a supportive, inclusive environment.