Senior Assurance Advisor

Police; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 112,000 - 118,000; Full time

Job summary

New Zealand Police is seeking a Senior Assurance Advisor – Internal Audit to lead and deliver risk-based audits and assurance reviews. You will build trusted relationships to identify risks, develop evidence-based reports, and strengthen governance and internal controls across a broad range of operational, regulatory, technology and project environments.

The role is based at Police National Headquarters in Wellington with opportunities to contribute across the organisation and support public

Qualifications

• Experience planning and delivering audit, assurance, risk, advisory, or review engagements.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, turning analysis into clear recommendations.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills with ability to work across all levels.
• A relevant tertiary qualification in accounting, risk management, or assurance.
• Possession of CA/CIA/CISA or progress towards these qualifications is highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver internal audit and assurance engagements across diverse business areas.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships across Police to understand risks and opportunities.
• Analyse information to identify risks, control gaps, and good practices.
• Develop evidence-based reports and practical recommendations for decision-making.
• Contribute to governance, risk management, and internal control enhancements.
• Share knowledge of assurance frameworks and tools within the Group and organisation.

Skills

Audit planning

Assurance engagements

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Professional qualifications

Education

Tertiary qualification in accounting or risk management

Professional qualifications (CA, CIA, CISA) or progress towards one

Job description

Career Opportunities: Senior Assurance Advisor (6066033)

Requisition ID6066033-Posted27/09/2026-Wellington-Permanent FT

• Based at Police National Headquarters, Wellington
• Band J
• Office of Constable/Police Employee
• Permanent – Full Time
• NAV
• JR 6066033

Stand at the stern of the canoe and feel the spray of the future biting at your face

Mă te tūnga | About the role

Are you an experienced assurance or internal audit professional looking for an opportunity to make a meaningful impact across New Zealand Police?

As a Senior Assurance Advisor - Internal Audit, within the Assurance Group, you will help deliver NZ Police’s risk-based internal audit and assurance programme, providing independent assurance to senior leaders on the effectiveness of governance, risk management, controls, and organisational initiatives. Working as a ’critical friend’ you will lead and contribute to a diverse range of reviews across operational, strategic, regulatory, technology, and project environments.

This is a unique opportunity to gain exposure to a broad cross-section of Police activities while helping strengthen accountability, organisational learning, public trust, and confidence.

This role has no direct reports; however, direct reports may occur depending on the assignment.

Key Accountabilities:

• Lead and deliver internal audit and assurance engagements across a variety of business areas.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships across Police to understand risks, challenges, and opportunities.
• Analyse information and data to identify themes, risks, control gaps, and areas of good practice.
• Develop clear, evidence-based reports and practical recommendations that support informed decision-making.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of governance, risk management, and internal control practices.
• Promote collaboration and share knowledge of assurance capability, frameworks, tools and techniques within the Group and organisation.

He aha taau e kawe mai | What you’ll bring

Whilst we are looking for skills, knowledge and experience relevant to the role, we also place high importance on your state of mind, the alignment of your values with ours,your ability to contribute to and build high performing teams, and the way that you lead yourself or others.

We’re looking for someone who can bring:

• Experience planning and delivering audit, assurance, risk, advisory, or review engagements.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills using models, tools and technology to optimise efficiency.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to turn detailed analysis into clear, concise and influential advice and reporting.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills and the confidence to work collaboratively with people at all levels of the organisation.
• A relevant tertiary qualification in a discipline such as accounting, risk management, or an assurance related field. Professional qualifications (e.g. CA, CIA, CISA), or progress towards one, will be highly regarded.
• Current CPK at the rank of the vacancy you are applying for
  • Agree to enrol in a leadership programme at the advertised level, at a future date or
  • Have qualified under CEP or a previous Career Progression Framework at the level you are applying for.
• This role is based at Police National Headquarters in Wellington. Some domestic travel may be required.

This role is Team Leader level. You can refer to Indicators for Success for further information on the requirements

To be eligible for this role, you may be asked to obtain and maintain a SECRET national security clearance.

The minimum criteria for this level of national security clearance is:

NZ Citizen who has resided continuously in NZ for the last 10 years, or:

• A Permanent Resident who has resided continuously in NZ for the last 10 years, or
• A citizen of or has resided continuously in one or more of the following countries for the last 10 years: Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, or United States of America, and has a background that can be verified by the NZSIS.

Use this online tool to self-check your eligibility for a security clearance. Please note that this tool is not part of the formal security clearance process:

New Zealand Police is the lead agency responsible for preventing crime and enhancing community safety. It works in partnership with individuals, communities, businesses, and other public sector agencies towards the vision of making New Zealand the safest country. Police is the government’s largest front-line response agency with around 15,000 staff in large and small communities all over New Zealand and in liaison and policing development roles overseas.

Your development is highly valued at NZ Police. Our employees enjoy significant investment in their development not only at an individual level, but also at the team and community practice level. We work hard to match you with work that will both play to your strengths and challenge you in new ways.

The work you’ll be engaged in is real, tangible work that directly benefits our frontline and communities. Taken all together, this means we can offer you career path opportunities to progress in your chosen profession and become a more well-rounded, experienced leader, with opportunities across the range of work we support.

This position is covered by a collective agreement and salary will commence between $111,529 and $118,184 dependent on skills and experience relevant to the role.

All applicants must have the right to work in New Zealand.

Please note: Deadline for applications is 5:00 pm on 13October. Applications may be reviewed prior to the close date as well as contact made with candidates.