Advisor and Senior Advisor Data and Evidence | Wellington or Dunedin
Ministry of Social DevelopmentJobsCloseBy Editorial Insights
MSD is hiring for Advisor Data and Evidence and Senior Advisor Data and Evidence to strengthen how Disability Support Services measures outcomes and translates data into decision making. You’ll develop and refine outcomes frameworks, analyse data, and build dashboards in Power BI and Excel while collaborating across provider monitoring, service design, and evidence teams to lead strategic data initiatives for the senior role. Roles are permanent based in Wellington or Dunedin, onsite. To apply, tailor your cover letter to the key responsibilities, demonstrate experience with data governance, reporting, and communicating insights to non-technical audiences, and show your understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Note accessibility needs.
- Help shape how Disability Support Services measures and demonstrates outcomes for disabled people, whānau and communities.
- Turn data and evidence into meaningful insights that influence decision-making and service improvement.
- Join a collaborative team committed to evidence-informed practice and improving outcomes across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Use your analytical skills and passion for evidence to help drive better outcomes for disabled people and their communities.
About our team | Mō te tīma
The Disability Support Services (DSS) Group is responsible for commissioning, 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
We are seeking both an Advisor Data and Evidence and a Senior Advisor Data and Evidence to join our Disability Support Services team. These roles play a key part in strengthening our ability to understand, measure, and improve the impact of services, policies, and investments through high-quality data, evidence, and insights.
Working closely with the Manager Data and Evidence and a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, you will contribute to a culture of evidence-based decision making that supports better outcomes for disabled people, tāngata whaikaha Māori, whānau, and communities.
These are permanent roles and can be based in our Wellington or Dunedin offices.
As an Advisor Data and Evidence you will:
- Support the development and continuous improvement of outcomes frameworks, indicators, and measurement tools.
- Analyse and interpret outcomes data to support reporting, monitoring, and evaluation activities.
- Develop dashboards, reports, and visualisations that communicate outcomes clearly and effectively.
- Contribute to building organisational capability through guidance, resources, and evidence-based advice.
- Work collaboratively across provider monitoring, service design, and evidence teams to embed outcomes thinking.
- Respond to requests for data, analysis, and insights that support organisational priorities.
As a Senior Advisor Data and Evidence you will:
- Lead the development and implementation of data and evidence strategies, frameworks, and governance practices.
- Provide strategic advice to leaders on data-related opportunities, risks, and emerging issues.
- Drive complex analytical projects and initiatives that support organisational transformation and service improvement.
- Champion data-driven decision making and build capability across the organisation.
- Influence stakeholders and communicate complex data concepts to a wide range of audiences.
- Build strong relationships across Disability Support Services, government agencies, and community partners.
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.
What you bring | Ōu pūmanawatanga
- Knowledge of outcomes measurement, evaluation, performance monitoring, or service improvement.
- Experience working with data to support reporting, analysis, and evidence-informed decision making.
- Familiarity with reporting and visualisation tools such as Power BI or Excel.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to communicate insights clearly.
- Ability to build effective working relationships across teams and disciplines.
- Understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its application within the public sector.
- Commitment to learning, continuous improvement, and delivering positive outcomes for disabled people and communities.
Senior Advisors will also have:
- Proven experience providing strategic advice in a complex government, public sector, or service delivery environment.
- Strong knowledge of data governance, stewardship, and evidence-based decision making.
- Demonstrated leadership, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
- Highly developed analytical and conceptual thinking capability.
- Ability to communicate complex information and influence decision-makers at all levels.
Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga
Copies of the position descriptions can be found here:
Advisor Data and Evidence position description.
Salary | Utu-ā-tau:
Advisor: $79,200 - $95,873
Senior Advisor: $103,815 - $125,958
Applications close | Ka kati ngā tono hei te: Sunday 6 September 2026
About us | Mō mātou
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.
How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono
Before you submit your application, please take a moment to review our guidance to understand how AI can best support your application. Candidate Guidance - Responsible AI use in recruitment
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. Please highlight how your skills and experience relate to the key responsibilities listed in the position description and job advertisement.
All applications must be made online. If this is not possible or if you have any queries, please contact us at [email protected]
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 us | Ko te hono mai
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.