Senior Advisor Operational Policy, Wellington

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, whanau and communities.

As a Te Tiriti o Waitangi partner we are committed to supporting and enabling Maori, whanau, hapu, 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.

Senior Advisor Operational Policy, Wellington

• Fixed term until 30 June 2026
• Wellington based

About our team / Mo te tima

We are a team who are passionate about getting it right for our clients.

We want to make a difference for our clients and kaimahi by influencing the design, development, and delivery of new and existing policies.

We're a diverse, fun, and supportive team who will make you feel at home.

Who we are / Anei matou

Operational Policy is a unique team who work with multiple stakeholders within MSD and externally :

The team is also responsible for writing and maintaining MSD's operational policy guidelines (Map).

About the role / Mo te tunga

As a senior advisor, you will :

About you – Skills and Experience / Mou – Nga Pukenga me nga Wheako

We're keen to hear from motivated Senior Advisors with a proven track record in Operational Policy.

To be successful in this role you'll have :

We'll also expect you to demonstrate :

The qualities we value in this role are :

What's in it for you?

/ Nou te rourou?

Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tunga :

Senior Advisor position description

Salary | Utu-a-tau : $103,815.00 - $125,958.00

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 responsibilities listed 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 internal candidate.

Closing date : 17 September 2025

Joining us

Joining MSD means being part of a whanau 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 Maori, Hapu, 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.