Early Response Work Broker | Mata Rāngai Mahi, Top of the South
Ministry of Social DevelopmentJobsCloseBy Editorial Insights
Ministry of Social Development is seeking an Early Response Work Broker for the Top of the South region, a full-time fixed-term or secondment to 31 December 2026, based in Blenheim with regular travel. In a proactive, regionally mobile team you will deliver redeployment support and help people disadvantaged in the labour market stay or move into sustainable work. You’ll develop and execute a regional end-to-end redeployment plan, build partnerships, and promote sustainable employment through the Pick Your Path initiative. The ideal candidate has strong relationship skills, tenacity, and a customer centred mindset; experience in agency recruitment, sales or account management is advantageous. Salary ranges from 79,200 to 95,873 plus ongoing development. Apply online with CV and a tailored cover letter; make sure your cover letter clearly connects your experience to the role’s core responsibilities, as it is a key assessment piece. Applications close 8 February 2026.
- Fixed term or secondment to 31 December 2026
- Full time (37.55 hour per week)
- Supportive, inclusive environment
- Interesting and varied work
About our team | Mō te tīma
The Early Response Team (The Team) is a proactive, regionally mobile group within MSD responsible for delivering redeployment support. We work to identify and support individuals who are disadvantaged in the labour market, helping them retain employment, transition into new work, or upskill into sustainable career pathways.
The Top of the South region covers seven districts: Nelson, Tasman, Marlborough, Kaikōura, Buller, Grey, and Westland.
Our approach is grounded in Te Pae Tawhiti (MSD’s strategic direction), Te Pae Tata (our Māori Strategy and Action Plan), and Pacific Prosperity. These strategies shape how we engage with communities to improve social and economic outcomes for New Zealanders.
These shifts focus on how MSD can become a trusted and proactive organisation, connecting clients to all the support and services that are right for them and improving the social and economic wellbeing of New Zealanders.
Early Response Work Brokers are mobile within their region to respond to job displacement as it occurs. This will require regular travel to meet the demands of the role and support communities where they are.
About the role | Mō te tūnga
As an Early Response Work Broker, you will work in collaboration with your team to develop and carry out a regional plan for an effective end to end redeployment support service.
The Team has two core functions:
- Delivering prompt tailored support for people at risk of job displacement
- Gathering intel and opportunities to enable effective early intervention
The region’s Early Response strategy includes a strong focus on sustainable employment and redeployment opportunities in our primary industries. This includes promoting MSD products and services and supporting the region’s Pick Your Path initiative, which helps people explore and transition into meaningful career pathways.
The team is part of a broader ecosystem of supports, services, and opportunities for people at risk of job displacement. The team works collectively to build relationships and partnerships with stakeholders, to collaboratively develop and deliver services, tailored to people’s needs.
About you | Mōu
We are looking for people who want to be part of the changing future vision of MSD.
You must have strong people skills and be able to negotiate outcomes. Having a background in agency recruitment, sales, account management or similar would be an advantage.
You enjoy using your initiative, looking for and acting on opportunities, solving problems and have a good can-do attitude. You must enjoy building relationships and making new connections with people.
You will also need to:
- Be tenacious and professional and driven to overcome roadblocks
- Enjoy building relationships and making new connections
- Be flexible, solutions focused and have experience in a customer-centric role
- Be able to work with people from diverse backgrounds and at all levels
- Be persuasive and articulate as well as possessing good written skills
- Be a great listener and a quick learner
- Your ability to operate effectively across teams will be paramount to your success in this role. Based in Blenheim, you will need to develop strong relationships across the wider Top of the South region
- An understanding of relevant immigration policies would be an advantage
What we offer | Tā mātou e tuku ana
- Excellent induction and on-going training
- Regular coaching and career development opportunities
- The salary range is $79,200 through to $95,873 per annum with consideration given to the successful candidate’s individual relevant skills, experience, and other factors to determine the actual starting salary.
Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga
A copy of the position description can be found here. Work Broker, position description
Applications close | Ka kati ngā tono hei te: Sunday 8 February 2026
How to apply | Me pēhea 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 [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.