Principal Advisor

Job Type: Permanent
Location: Auckland, NZ
Help shape the future of Education
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.

About this role | Mō tēnei tūranga

Principal Advisors provide leadership and support to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of high-quality services. The role of Principal Advisor will also be required to take responsibility for aligned deliverables and lead discrete pieces of work as agreed with their direct manager.

The Principal Advisor leads the provision of specialised work programmes across a range of programmes and services that support students across the region to stay engaged and achieve in education. Maintaining a regional overview of the activities being delivered and provide guidance, support and improvements to ensure the delivery of high-quality programmes and services.

In addition to specifically agreed outcomes aligned with the business unit, the role of Principal Advisor may also be required to provide advice, education, frameworks, guidance, tools and templates, and reporting, as necessary.

Salary range: $118,371 - $131,065 per annum + 3% KiwiSaver. The successful candidate will be appointed at a salary which reflects individual skills and experience.

Please note: Applications from affected kaimahi | employees will be given priority consideration.

About you | Mōhou ake

To be successful in this role you will have the following experience and capabilities:

Experience in a complex organisation
Experience in building relationships and partnerships to achieve shared outcomes.
Sound understanding of Machinery of Government, public sector delivery structures and systems
Working understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi and its implications for the work of the Ministry
Ability to work within the Ministry structures policies and priorities, influencing improvement opportunities and creating synergy
Previous experience of effectively leading projects and change in large and complex organisations
Previous experience of planning, risk, performance management and / or assurance
Able to write with clarity using the active voice and sequencing content so that it delivers messages effectively
Significant experience liaising with, communicating to, consulting with and influencing stakeholders
Understanding of issues involved in the effective implementation and achievement of outcomes in the social sector
Record of successful achievement in the identification, analysis and design of solutions for complex problems
Proven record in translating information into cogent arguments and presenting high quality, timely and credible advice to high level decision makers A track record of bringing people together and leading, coaching and mentoring others to achieve outcomes.
A proven ability to use data and insights to identify trends, risks and opportunities, to influence and guide organisational and system-level decision making.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
A commitment to ongoing personal and professional development.
Able to write with clarity using the active voice and sequencing content so that it delivers messages effectively
Understanding of issues involved in the effective implementation and achievement of outcomes in the social sector
Advanced influencing, relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills
Record of successful achievement in the identification, analysis and design of solutions for complex problems
The ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.

About our group and team | Mātau rōpū ake

Our team provides leadership and integrated services to the sector and others. This includes services such as learning support and education advice and regulation functions for schools and early learning services.
As a frontline group we develop and harness existing relationships with communities at the regional and local level through the Directors of Education, including deep relationships with iwi and hapū. Our Directors of Education have the lead role and relationship with early learning, kōhanga, school and kura, and this means they will be across all the services we provide at a local level.
We also collectively strengthen relationships with our diverse communities who support Māori, Pacific peoples, disabled ākonga and/or ākonga with learning support needs, and ākonga from disadvantaged backgrounds.
We hold day-to-day regulatory functions, for example early learning licensing and we have support from the regulatory roles located in other groups in Te Tāhuhu including the national regulatory roles in Te Pae Aronui | Operations & Integration and the regulatory stewardship in Te Pou Kaupapahere | Policy.
Our frontline groups are represented at the leadership level of decision making for Te Tāhuhu. The frontline hautū | deputy secretaries hold at least one National Portfolio to complement their frontline role. In Te Tai Raro, our hautū holds the National Portfolio for Pacific Education. This portfolio requires many parts of our organisation to work together to enhance collective impact for Pacific learner success, embedding the shifts in the Action Plan for Pacific Education.

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

If this opportunity interests you, please submit your cover letter and resume by using the ‘apply' button. 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 Recruitment.Manawa@education.govt.nz

Applications close Midnight – Sunday, 15 June 2025

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.
 
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