Programme Coordinator - Central Region

About us

The Ministry of Social Development 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 and 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.

Based in Central Regional Office – Palmerston North (you will need the flexibility to travel across the region when needed)

Interviews will be held the week of 1 December with a potential start date of 12 January 2026

About the role | Mō te tūnga :

What is the role of a Programme Coordinator at MSD?

• It’s a role that makes a real difference for people. It helps open doors to learning, and opportunities, experience that can quite simply change someone’s life. It’s a people role – great if you enjoy meeting and engaging with people, internally and in the community. Some desk work & some out & about.
• It's a rewarding role – you are matching people, to the courses and programmes that are right for them. You’re directly involved in helping people and their whānau get to a better life outcome.
• It's interesting and varied work – we have a wide range of programmes from helping people to manage their mental health, advice on personal presentation and help with clothing for interviews, along with all the support available for getting ready for work, CV and interview preparation, industry specific courses e.g. Contact Centre, Project Management, Customer Service, Construction, Hospitality etc.
• Marketing & promotions involved – so you can be creative, show and develop your presentation skills.
• In this role you help our job seekers onto courses and programmes which help them identify their natural potential, learn new skills, and prepare them for employment. It’s a role where you interact with our own people, providers, community groups and other key stakeholders, providing information and support. It’s all about identifying sustainable employment outcomes for our clients to support them to be economically independent.

What skills are key for the role :

So, the critical aspects in our selection of candidates for the Programme Coordinator role are your attitude and your personality. We’re happy to teach you about MSD and the programmes we run, the partnerships we have and the vision we share. We’ll provide support and learning, and you bring the magic.

You will be a great brand ambassador for MSD.

What’s not to love about this role? Yes, it’s busy and there’s lots to learn but you’ll be changing lives every day.

Salary | Utu-ā-tau : $69,519.00 - $84,041.00

How to apply

To apply, click the 'Apply Now' button to upload your CV, cover letter and complete the online application form.

Note : Your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the key responsibilitieslisted in the position description.

All applications must be made online. If this is not possible or if you have any queries, please contact us at

Internal MSD Employees

Please apply through your myHR portal at work. This will ensure that your myHR employee profile is visible as an internal candidate.

Joining us

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. We are a Treaty partner committed to strengthening relationships with Māori, Hapū, Iwi and communities to realise their own potential and aspirations.

If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to tell us when you apply so we can assist you through the recruitment process.

MSD has a COVID-19 vaccination policy that encourages, but does not require, employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and its variants, unless the role is identified as requiring vaccination at the time.

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