Senior Education Advisor

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

Benefits offered by this job

KiwiSaver

Job summary

Ministry of Education in New Plymouth, North Island, seeks a Senior Education Adviser (1.0FTE) to support schools and lead advisory services. Permanent role based in New Plymouth with strong school leadership experience; salary range reflects skills and experience.

You will work within Te Mahau | Te Tai Whenua to communicate priorities, provide implementation support, track progress and collaborate with schools, kura and whānau to improve attendance and outcomes.

Qualifications

• Experience in the schooling sector and knowledge of related legislation.
• Ability to use data and insights to identify trends, risks and opportunities.
• Strong engagement and communication skills (written and verbal).
• Ability to work as part of an integrated team delivering services to education.
• Understanding Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Public Service Standards.

Responsibilities

• Communicate government priorities and strategies and ensure they are understood and delivered.
• Identify, broker and provide implementation support.
• Track and report on implementation progress.
• Work with schools, kura and whānau to improve attendance and engagement.
• Utilise supports and interventions to advance attendance and achievement outcomes.

Skills

Relationship building

Data insights

Communication skills

Stakeholder engagement

Teamwork

Job description

Ministry of Education – New Plymouth, North Island

Help shape the future of education in New Zealand

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.

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.

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.