Principal Advisor Quality Assurance

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Strategic and operational leadership in quality assurance

Lead the engagement, design and delivery of audit and evaluation programmes

Champion inclusive, equity-driven outcomes for disabled people

This is your opportunity to help shape an enhanced audit and evaluation programme and drive continuous improvement in service quality.

The Disability Support Services (DSS) Group is responsible for commissioning, funding, and stewarding high-quality services that support disabled people, their families, and whanau.

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 | Mo te tunga :

As Principal Advisor, Quality Assurance, you'll lead the design, development, and maintenance of audit tools, templates, and evaluation methodologies for a comprehensive audit and evaluation programme.

You'll work collaboratively with suppliers and the Quality Assurance team, applying insights and learnings to drive quality improvement initiatives.

Engaging with key stakeholders, including government agencies, service providers, disabled people, and whanau—you'll gather feedback and implement enhancements to service quality.

Key responsibilities include :

Lead the design, development, and maintenance of audit and evaluation tools and methodologies

Collaborate with suppliers to implement and monitor the audit and evaluation programme

Support the Quality Assurance team and integrate insights into the work programme

Engage with stakeholders to gather feedback and drive improvements

Provide expert advice and support to delivery teams on audit and evaluation tools

Analyse data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement

Stay up to date with best practice and regulatory changes in audit and evaluation

Champion embedding into practice the principles of Enabling Good Lives Principles, Nga Paerewa standards, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and the UNCRPD

We value diversity and welcome applications from disabled people and those who have lived experience with whanau, 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.

In-depth understanding of disability and disability support services, with a passion for monitoring and evaluation

Experience in audit and evaluation, operational leadership, or service design within the health or disability sector

Commitment to inclusive, disabled person-led approaches and equity-driven outcomes

Ability to produce clear, concise reporting for senior management, Ministers, and external stakeholders

Strong critical thinking and analytical skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and challenge the status quo

Proven ability to engage across diverse stakeholders and navigate complexity

A can-do attitude, willing to work across priority Quality Assurance tasks and mentor junior team members

Salary | Utu-a-tau : $142,874.00 - $177,798.00

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.

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.

How to apply | Me pehea te tuku tono :

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.

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.

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.

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