Help shape the future of Education 

We work to shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent outcomes

Our organisation is made up of talented and committed people around Aotearoa, from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. While we work in different groups and on different things, we all strive every day to make the biggest difference we can for our students in our education system.

About this role | Mō tēnei tūranga

This is a permanent opportunity within the Government, Executive and Ministerial Services (GEMS) team. The role plays a key part in supporting efficient and accurate handling of Ministerial and business group requests, ensuring information flows smoothly across teams, deadlines are met, and responses are coherent and aligned with Ministry standards.

As the Senior Ministerial Coordinator, you will be responsible for processing and tracking Ministerial briefings, correspondence, official information requests, Parliamentary questions, Select Committee requests and Ombudsman complaints.

You will monitor mailboxes and allocate work to business groups across the wider Ministry, identifying and prioritising urgent and sensitive requests. You will manage and negotiate complex, multi-stakeholder pieces of work, acting as a first point of contact for any issues relating to requests from Ministers’ offices, and provide advice and guidance on expectations and standards.

You'll also contribute to continuous improvement by leading or supporting the development of innovative and fit-for-purpose processes, frameworks, and solutions. Using data, insights, and sound judgement, you'll help identify opportunities to improve performance and support evidence-based operational decision-making.

As a collaborative team member, you'll foster a positive and supportive working environment, contributing to a culture of high performance, continuous improvement, problem-solving, and strong working relationships.

Salary range: $66,801 - $80,195 per annum + KiwiSaver. The successful candidate will be appointed at a salary which reflects individual skills and experience.

For more details about the role, you can view the Job Description here. 

About you | Mōhou ake

We’re looking for someone who is highly organised and systematic, with a strong attention to detail and a process-oriented mindset. They should be confident in making decisions, refining workflows, and ensuring accuracy and consistency in their work. They will need to be comfortable working in a fast paced, reactive environment.

An understanding of the Machinery of Government and/or experience working in a large organisation would be an advantage.

To be successful in the role, you will also offer:

• The ability to think on your feet, problem solve, and be productive under pressure while meeting tight timeframes
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Experience in building relationships and partnerships to achieve shared outcomes
• Proven ability to use data and insights to identify trends, risks and opportunities, to influence and guide organisational and system-level decision making
• The ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.

Mātau rōpū ake | About the group and team

The GEMS team work at the interface between the Ministry, Ministers’ offices and Parliament. Our team includes the portfolio private secretaries in the Ministers' offices. 

We are the Ministry’s leaders in Government and Parliament protocols, operations and procedures, and the Ministry’s primary channel for all formal commissioning of information and response development from Ministerial offices.

We provide expert advice and guidance to business unit subject-matter experts to prepare timely, quality responses that align with the Ministers tone and style.

What this looks like

We provide advice, guidance and support on all aspects of Ministerial servicing including:

• Capturing and commissioning all requests for information by Ministers’ offices
• Commissioning of requests received from members of the public to responsible team or business unit
• Response development to Parliamentary Questions, Select Committee requests (including Annual Review and Estimates), Ministerial correspondence, requests for official information, inquiries and investigations by the Chief Ombudsman
• Delivering weekly reports to Ministers, and delivery of regular proactive release of Ministerial decision making
• External reporting on compliance with our Official Information Act obligations 
• Supporting private secretaries, and public and government inquiries.

Are you ready to make a difference? | Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi?

If this opportunity interests you, please submit your cover letter and resume by using the ‘apply' button. In your cover letter we’d like to know about you, your values, or anything else you’d like to share. We’re keen to understand your motivations, strengths, transferable skills, and the diverse perspectives you will bring to the role.

For further information, please contact Amy Dolden, Manager Ministerial and Parliamentary Engagement, at amy.dolden@education.govt.nz. 

Applications close midnight on Monday 2 November 2026.

We want our people to feel valued for their unique qualities and have a sense of belonging. If you require assistance or adjustments to fully participate in the recruitment process, please let us know