Senior Data and Information Governance Advisor

Ministry of Social Development NZ; Wellington; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ministry of Social Development NZ is seeking a Senior Data and Information Governance Advisor to strengthen how MSD manages data and information. You will provide expert advice, lead governance initiatives, and help develop practical standards and processes across the organisation.

You will collaborate with teams to improve governance capability, support assurance activities, and ensure information is secure, trusted, and fit for purpose.

Qualifications

• A relevant tertiary qualification and experience in data and information governance and data management.
• Strong knowledge of data governance principles, frameworks, policies, standards, and best practices.
• Experience supporting data governance initiatives, including data stewardship, metadata management, data quality improvement, and compliance activities.
• Experience in risk, assurance, reporting, and governance activities.
• An understanding of legislation and obligations relating to data and information management, privacy, and public records.
• Experience developing practical guidance, training materials, and business processes to support the implementation of data and information governance practices
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex information clearly.
• Experience working with data management tools such as Informatica or similar platforms.
• Excellent planning, organisation, analytical and problem-solving skills, with a continuous improvement mindset.
• A collaborative approach and a commitment to working across teams to achieve shared goals.
• An understanding of the public sector environment and machinery of government would be an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Strengthen how MSD manages and uses data and information.
• Provide expert advice, lead pieces of work, and develop practical governance frameworks, standards, and processes.
• Improve data governance capability, support assurance activities, and ensure information is secure, trusted, and fit for purpose.
• Build strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders across the Ministry.

Skills

Governance expertise

Data governance

Risk and assurance

Data stewardship

Metadata management

Data quality improvement

Compliance and public records

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Data management tools (Informatica)

Education

Tertiary qualification in data/information governance

Tools

Informatica

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 16th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

Senior Data and Information Governance Advisor

Ministry of Social Development NZ – Wellington, North Island

• 24th Months Fixed term/Secondment opportunity

This is a great opportunity to use your governance expertise to influence meaningful work across MSD. If this sounds like the next step in your career, we encourage you to apply.

MSD – services for the future is a multi-year programme to transform how we operate so we can deliver for New Zealanders and focus our resources and investment on the people who need it. The programme will make significant changes to our underlying systems, processes, and introduce redesigned services that put people first.

The Information, Data, and Analytics team is leading an ambitious work programme to uplift our data and information capabilities to support the Transformation initiatives, while also establishing Enterprise level standards for BAU. MSD operates within a highly complex data environment, and our focus is on creating trusted foundations that allow data to be managed deliberately and consistently over time. This includes developing the architectural standards, strengthening stewardship and governance, embedding a standardised data quality framework, and establishing master data management practices.

About the role | Mō te tūnga

As a Senior Data and Information Governance Advisor, you will play a key role in strengthening how MSD manages and uses data and information. You will provide expert advice, lead pieces of work, and help develop practical governance frameworks, standards, and processes that support the responsible use of data and information across the Ministry.

You will work closely with colleagues from across MSD to improve data and information governance capability, support assurance activities, and help ensure our information is managed in a way that is secure, trusted, and fit for purpose. This is an opportunity to influence meaningful change, build strong relationships, and contribute to better outcomes for New Zealanders through quality information management.

To be successful in this role, you will bring experience in data and information governance, along with a strong understanding of risk, assurance, and information management practices. You will be confident translating technical concepts into clear, practical advice and building effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.

You will also bring:

• A relevant tertiary qualification and experience in data and information governance and data management.
• Strong knowledge of data and information governance principles, frameworks, policies, standards, and best practices.
• Experience supporting data governance initiatives, including data stewardship, metadata management, data quality improvement, and compliance activities.
• Experience in risk, assurance, reporting, and governance activities.
• An understanding of legislation and obligations relating to data and information management, privacy, and public records.
• Experience developing practical guidance, training materials, and business processes to support the implementation of data and information governance practices
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex information clearly.
• Experience working with data management tools such as Informatica or similar platforms.
• Excellent planning, organisation, analytical and problem-solving skills, with a continuous improvement mindset.
• A collaborative approach and a commitment to working across teams to achieve shared goals.
• An understanding of the public sector environment and machinery of government would be an advantage.

Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $119,586.00 - $145,235.00

The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) is a people-centred organisation. We're in communities across the motu, working with partners to help New Zealanders be safe, strong and independent.

We provide social policy advice to government, and assistance including income, employment and housing support to people of all ages, families, whānau and communities.

As a Te Tiriti o Waitangi partner, we are committed to supporting and enabling Māori, whānau, hapū, Iwi and communities to realise their own potential and aspirations.

Our people are as diverse as the communities we serve. We care about the wellbeing and success of our people and provide a supportive and inclusive working environment where people can thrive and be who they are.

Joining MSD means being part of a whānau that celebrates the diversity each individual represents.

We show manaaki, we care about the wellbeing and success of people and want everyone to thrive and be who they are in a supportive and inclusive working environment. We work together to make a difference for communities while doing the right thing with integrity. You can find out more about our values here.

If you have any support or accessibility requirements, we encourage you to tell us when you apply so we can assist you through the recruitment process.