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

• Permanent, full-time Policy, Budget Strategy and Coordination role
• Wellington-based

The Budget Coordinator provides efficient and effective administration, planning, co-ordination and support to multiple work streams, and administration support to the Budget Strategy and Coordination team. This role is central to the success of the whole team and will appeal to someone who is highly organised, enjoys fast-paced work environments and understands the importance of monitoring and tracking large volumes of budget related information and tasks.

The Budget Strategy and Coordination Team sits at the centre of investment decision making in the education system. The team runs the annual Budget process for the Ministry of Education, from developing the Ministry’s Budget Strategy to delivering the education package on Budget Day.

This is a great opportunity for anyone looking to get greater exposure to one of the core processes of Government, which is high profile internally, for Ministers and with the education sector.

In this team, you will get the opportunity to:

• Gain a broad understanding of the Education sector and its complexity
• work across all parts of the Ministry to guide budget initiatives through Ministry of Education and Treasury frameworks
• facilitate stakeholders’ and decision makers’ engagement in the budget process

The Budget is not something delivered in isolation. In this team, you will work closely with Ministers’ offices, other Government agencies (most notably the Treasury) and gain invaluable insight into Ministerial decision making. You will also get exposure to a variety of work programmes from many different teams, giving you a cross-Ministry view of priority work items and how these come together to deliver outcomes for learners, whānau and communities.

Salary range: $75,815 - $91,347 per annum plus 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

Ideal candidates will have excellent communication and relationship management skills, an eye for detail and relish the challenge of meeting tight deadlines. 

You will also offer:

• Familiarity with the government budget process, especially in an education context would be highly desirable. 
• Experience with project/programme management would be desirable
• The ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.

About our group and team | Mātau rōpū ake

Te Pou Kaupapahere is the Ministry’s policy group with a whole-of-system focus covering early learning, compulsory schooling, and tertiary. This includes Māori medium, te reo Māori, Pacific and Learning Support.

We provide advice to enable an education system which contributes to the skills and knowledge needed by people for social, cultural, economic and environmental wellbeing. We develop policy about vocational skills, access pathways, international education, and student financial support. We also manage the Ministry’s international engagements and cooperation agreements.

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 Tejal Patel, Senior Policy Manager at Tejal.Patel@education.govt.nz

Applications close Midnight – Sunday, 1 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.