Tuhono Connector | Hamilton

Ministry of Social Development; Hamilton; On-site; NZD 79,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) seeks a Connector in our Hamilton office to proactively build relationships with disabled people and whānau. You will identify options, create possibilities, and connect to supports that help achieve outcomes that matter most.

You will work in homes, schools, and communities, partnering to empower people while aligning with EGL principles and Te Tiriti o Waitangi commitments. This is a permanent, full-time role within the DSS Group.

Qualifications

• Deep understanding of the Enabling Good Lives vision and principles.
• Experience supporting people to think creatively about life opportunities.
• Strong connections to, and knowledge of, local communities and resources.
• Ability to engage effectively with Māori and Pacific families and communities.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with resilience and adaptability.
• Strong planning, organisational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage sensitive information with integrity and discretion.
• Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and equity principles.
• Resilience, adaptability, and a strong client focus.

Responsibilities

• Establish respectful, trusting relationships with disabled people and whānau.
• Listen to aspirations and help identify creative options and opportunities.
• Connect people to funded and unfunded supports and community resources.
• Support people to understand funding processes and self-manage budgets.
• Maintain accurate records and manage a complex caseload using EGL systems.
• Build collaborative relationships with providers, agencies, and stakeholders.

Job description

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• Support disabled people and whānau to create possibilities and make decisions about their lives.
• Build strong relationships and connect people to funded and unfunded supports that enable good lives.
• Permanent role based in our Hamilton office
  

Play a key role in the Enabling Good Lives (EGL) approach by working alongside disabled people and whānau to realise aspirations, make decisions, and live their good lives, grounded in strong relationships and a whānau-centred approach, and involves working in a way that reflects an understanding of Te Ao Māori, recognising the importance of community and connection.

The Disability Support Services (DSS) Groupis responsible forcommissioning, funding, and stewarding high-quality services that support disabled people, their families, and whānau.

We’re building leadership and management capacity across our teams to deliver both change and business-as-usual effectively.

We work closely with providers, stakeholders, and communities to ensure services are fair, consistent, transparent and sustainable. With a strong focus on performance monitoring, data, and insights, we’re committed to continuous improvement and evidence-based decision-making.

It’s an exciting time to join DSS as we strengthen our systems and expand our capabilities.

We’re looking for passionate people to help us achieve our goals and make a meaningful impact.

About the role | Mō te tūnga

As a Connector, you’ll work in homes, schools, and communities to proactively develop strong relationships with disabled people and whānau.

You’ll partner with them to identify options, create possibilities, and connect to supports that enable them to achieve outcomes that matter most.

Key responsibilities include:

• Establish respectful, trusting relationships with disabled people and whānau.
• Listen to aspirations and help identify creative options and opportunities.
• Connect people to funded and unfunded supports and community resources.
• Support people to understand funding processes and self-manage budgets.
• Maintain accurate records and manage a complex caseload using EGL systems.
• Build collaborative relationships with providers, agencies, and stakeholders.

We value diversity and welcome applications from disabled people and those who have lived experience with whānau, or the disability community.

Please contact us if there is any support that we can provide to ensure the recruitment process is accessible to you.

• Deep understanding of the Enabling Good Lives vision and principles.
• Experience supporting people to think creatively about life opportunities.
• Strong connections to, and knowledge of, local communities and resources.
• Ability to engage effectively with Māori and Pacific families and communities.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with resilience and adaptability.
• Strong planning, organisational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage sensitive information with integrity and discretion.
• Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and equity principles.
• Resilience, adaptability, and a strong client focus.

Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $79,200.00 - $95,873.00

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.

Note: Your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process. Please highlight how your skills and experience relate to the key responsibilities listed in the position description and job advertisement.

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.