Senior Engagement Advisor

Ministry of Education New Zealand; Wellington; On-site; NZD 101,000 - 122,000; Full time

Job summary

Ministry of Education New Zealand is seeking a Senior Engagement Advisor to conduct trauma‑informed reviews of sensitive claims. You will interview claimants, assess background information, and prepare high‑quality outputs to support decision‑making.

The role requires empathy, strong communication, and experience with diverse communities across Aotearoa. The position is permanent and full‑time, based in Wellington or Auckland, with a salary range of $101,296–$122,490 plus KiwiSaver.

Qualifications

• Strong experience building trusted relationships in complex contexts.
• Proven ability to manage sensitive conversations with empathy and professionalism.
• Experience in trauma-informed practice and/or working with diverse groups.
• Experience engaging with Māori or Pasifika communities, iwi, hapū or whānau groups.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical and technical writing skills with complex or legal information.
• Background in social work or counselling is advantageous.
• Understanding of the public sector and Machinery of Government is welcome.

Responsibilities

• Managing sensitive and sometimes challenging discussions with empathy, discretion, and professionalism.
• Applying trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and mana-enhancing engagement practices.
• Ensuring all written reports are accurate, comprehensive, and aligned with policies and guidelines.
• Offering well‑reasoned advice to support senior decision‑making.
• Maintaining accurate workflows, documentation, and case records across systems.
• Sharing knowledge with colleagues and contributing to continuous improvement within the group.

Skills

Relationship building

Empathy

Communication skills

Written communication

Analytical writing

Māori/Pasifika engagement

Education

Background in social work or counselling

Job description

Help shape the future of Education

excellent outcomes

About this role | Mō tēnei tūranga

We have

Date advertised: 2 Sept 2026

Job Type: Permanent

Location:

Wellington, NZ Auckland, NZ

We work to shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent 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.

We have a permanent, full-time opportunity available that can be based anywhere in Aotearoa New Zealand.

We are seeking a Senior Engagement Advisor to undertake objective, respectful and trauma‑informed reviews of sensitive claims lodged with the Ministry. The role includes consideration of relevant background information, undertaking online or in-person interviews with claimants, and preparing high-quality written outputs to enable informed decision‑making across the resolution of claims.

In this role, you will be:

• Managing sensitive and sometimes challenging discussions with empathy, discretion, and professionalism.
• Applying trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and mana-enhancing engagement practices throughout all interactions.
• Ensuring all written reports are accurate, comprehensive, and aligned with the Ministry claim review policies and guidelines
• Offering well‑reasoned advice to support senior decision‑making
• Maintaining accurate workflows, documentation, and case records across all systems and databases.
• Sharing knowledge with colleagues and contributing to continuous improvement within the Sensitive Claims Group.

Salary range: $101,296 - $122,490 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 Description here.

About you | Mōhou ake

As a Senior Engagement Advisor, you thrive in sensitive and challenging environments. You build trust quickly, communicate clearly, and approach your work with empathy, resilience, and sound judgement.

You will also bring:

• Strong experience building trusted relationships in complex contexts.
• Proven ability to manage sensitive conversations with empathy and professionalism.
• Experience in trauma-informed practice and/or working with a diverse range of vulnerable groups.
• Experience engaging with Māori or Pasifika communities, iwi, hapū or whānau groups.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, engaging confidently with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and technical writing skills, including working with complex or legal information.
• A background in a field relevant to sensitive claims such as social work, counselling or other similar fields would be an advantage.
• Some understanding of the public sector, including the Machinery of Government and the education sector is welcome but not necessary.
• The ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.

About our group and team | Mātau rōpū ake

The Sensitive Claims team leads and delivers the Ministry’s redress process for addressing claims of historic abuse or neglect in state schools. A sensitive claim is defined as a claim where an individual alleges that they were abused or neglected at a state or residential special school and is seeking some form of redress. We ensure claims are managed in a respectful, mana-enhancing way, and that claimants and their whānau are at the centre of everything we do. We also work closely with the Crown Response Office and other state redress agencies on delivering the Government’s Redress response to the recommendations of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State Care. Our group sits within Te PouTaunaki| Learning Supportgroup who are accountable for providing functional leadership to all learning support services spanning national functions and regional delivery, delivered either in-house, by education providers or by other providers.

Are you ready to make a difference? | Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi?

In your cover letter we’d like to know about you, your values, or anything else you’d like to share. We’re keen to understand your motivations, strengths, transferable skills, and the diverse perspectives you will bring to the role.

For further information, please contact Libby Bevin, Manager Sensitive Claims at [e-mail]

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.