Principal Advisor

JobsCloseBy Editorial Insights

Joining the Ministry of Health as Principal Advisor in Wellington offers a fixed-term appointment to July 2027 with a competitive midpoint around $145,198 dependent on your experience. You’ll be at the heart of government decision making, providing strategic advice, leading quality assurance of ministerial and internal outputs, and driving continuous improvement while mentoring others and building capability across the Group. Success hinges on delivering high quality, timely guidance to Ministers and senior leaders, expertly handling Parliamentary Questions and Official Information Act requests, and strengthening cross agency relationships with a focus on equity and Te Tiriti obligations. When applying, tailor your CV and cover letter to demonstrate governance and QA experience, include relocation details if needed, confirm Wellington eligibility and working rights, apply via the Careers Website, and attach both CV and covering letter; closing date is Wednesday 26 August.

• Be a trusted advisor at the heart of government decision-making
• Drive continuous improvement while mentoring others and building organisational capability
• Fixed term until July 2027 | Wellington based position
• Midpoint of $145,198 dependent on your professional skills and experience  

Ko tōu ake mahi - What you’ll do

As Principal Advisor, you'll play a key role in  the Office of the Deputy Director General by providing strategic advice, leading quality assurance, and driving continuous improvement across the Group. Working in a fast-paced environment, you'll help shape high-quality advice for senior leaders and Ministers, oversee complex information requests, and build strong relationships across the Ministry and wider public sector.

You will

• Lead quality assurance across key advice, reports, and internal products, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and high standards,
• Provide strategic oversight and expert input into Parliamentary Questions, Official Information Act requests, Ministerial correspondence, and other high-profile information requests,
• Drive process improvement initiatives that enhance the quality of written advice, business operations, and commissioning processes,
• Deliver trusted strategic advice and lead projects that support Group and Ministry-wide priorities, enabling informed decision-making,
• Build capability across the Group through coaching, mentoring, and fostering strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Ko ngā pūkenga ōu - What you’ll bring

• Provide high-quality strategic advice and oversight to support Ministers, senior leaders, and key decision-makers,
• Lead quality assurance across ministerial, parliamentary, and organisational advice, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and timely delivery,
• Analyse complex issues, identify risks and gaps, and provide sound recommendations to inform decision-making,
• Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders across government, the health sector, and external organisations,
• Coach and mentor others while championing continuous improvement, equity outcomes, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations.

Ngā hua o tō mātou whare - What we bring

Discover a world of opportunities for personal and professional growth. We're not just a workplace; we're a whanau that values your well-being and the importance of work-life balance. At Manatū Hauora, we value the authentic ‘you’, ensuring that every voice is heard and every perspective matters. Your wellness is our priority, with comprehensive support and resources to keep you thriving. Join us today and be part of a team dedicated to improving healthcare.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful environment, welcoming applicants from diverse backgrounds. We value the unique perspectives and experiences each individual brings. Please contact us if you require any support to ensure the recruitment process is accessible.

Me pēhea te tono mai - How to apply 

Applications close on Wednesday 26th August. 

Please note to be eligible for this position you will have working rights for the term of the engagement and be based in Wellington by the start date. If you plan to relocate, please add this detail to your cover letter.

We are not receiving recruitment agency submissions at this time.

View the position description here and apply, please follow the online process at our Careers Website. Please ensure you upload a CV and covering letter with all applications. If you have any questions, email the recruitment team at [email protected].