Senior Education Advisor

NZ Ministry of Education; New Plymouth; On-site; NZD 85,000 - 103,000; Full time

Job summary

NZ Ministry of Education in New Plymouth, New Zealand, is seeking a Senior Education Adviser (1.0FTE) on a permanent basis. The role supports education priorities through advisory services, reports on progress, and collaborates with schools and whānau to improve attendance and achievement.

Ideal candidates will have school leadership experience and knowledge of the schooling sector, with strong data use and communication skills, and alignment with Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles and Public

Qualifications

• Experience in building relationships and influencing change to achieve outcomes.
• Ability to use data and insights to identify trends, risks and opportunities.
• Strong engagement and communication skills, including experience of providing high quality and timely advice – written and verbal.
• The ability to work as part of an integrated team delivering services to the education sector. This includes working co-operatively with others to solve problems and complete tasks.
• The ability to understand and apply the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi
• The ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.

Responsibilities

• Communicating government priorities and strategies and ensuring these are well understood and delivered on.
• Identifying, brokering and providing implementation support.
• Tracking and reporting on implementation progress.
• Working with schools, kura and whānau to ensure students are attending and engaged in education.
• Utilising the suite of supports and interventions to advance attendance and achievement outcomes.

Skills

Relationship building

Data analysis

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Te Tiriti o Waitangi understanding

Public Service Standards

Job description

NZ Ministry of Education – New Plymouth, North Island

We work toshapeaneducationsystem that deliversequitableandexcellent outcomes

Our organisation is made up of talented and committed people around Aotearoa, from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. While we work in different groups and on different things, we all strive every day to make the biggest difference we can for our students in our education system.

This role is a Permanent role for a Senior Education Adviser (1.0FTE) based in New Plymouth, school leadership experience is strongly desired.

The Senior Education Advisor role is part of our Education Advisory service that supports the education sector to implement education priorities through:

• Communicating government priorities and strategies and ensuring these are well understood and delivered on.
• Identifying, brokering and providing implementation support.
• Tracking and reporting on implementation progress.
• Working with schools, kura and whānau to ensure students are attending and engaged in education.
• Utilising the suite of supports and interventions to advance attendance and achievement outcomes.

Salary range:$85,225 - $103,071 per annum plus KiwiSaver.The successful candidate will be appointed at a salary which reflects individual skills and experience.

For more details about the role, you can view the Job Descriptionhere.

About you | Mōhou ake

We are looking for someone who has experience in and knowledge of the schooling sector and associated legislation.

You will offer:

• Experience in building relationships and influencing change to achieve outcomes.
• An ability to use data and insights to identify trends, risks and opportunities.
• Strong engagement and communication skills, including experience of providing high quality and timely advice – written and verbal.
• The ability to work as part of an integrated team delivering services to the education sector. This includes working co-operatively with others to solve problems and complete tasks.
• The ability to understand and apply the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi
• The ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.

Te Mahau | Te Tai Whenua provides leadership and integrated services to the education sector and others. This includes learning support; education advice and regulation functions for schools and early learning services; and advice and support with curriculum. We also share practice and learnings collaboratively with other Te Mahau and Ministry groups to support insights driven guidance, design, and policy.

We work closely with the Early Childhood and Schooling sectors, providers, and communities to provide support, expertise, and resources to help children and young people reach their full potential.

For further information, please contact Brigitte Luke, Manager, Integrated Services on*************@education.govt.nz

Applications close Midnight – Wednesday 2 September 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.