Personal Assistant

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

We’re looking for a Personal Assistant to provide one-on-one support to a Tier 3 leader in an exciting opportunity within our Te Pou Kaupapahere | Policy Business Group. This high-profile role supports busy and engaged leaders and plays a key part in delivering whole-of-system, end-to-end policy across early learning, schooling, and tertiary education, including Māori medium, te reo Māori, Pacific, and learning support.

As part of a highly networked and collaborative Business Support team, you’ll be an integral member of Te Pou Kaupapahere. You’ll work closely with leaders and colleagues across the Ministry, education agencies, and external partners. Your strong administrative support will help drive the policy work that underpins education system change.

Each day brings new challenges. You’ll manage the leader’s diary and inbox, liaise with colleagues across the public service, collate information, process finances, progress recruitment, and solve problems. Your calm and reliable support will ensure your leader has the administrative backing they need to focus on their work, whether that’s advising Ministers, leading their team, or engaging with the sector.

Our work is both challenging and rewarding. We’re a tight-knit team known for excellent service, great conversation and strong support.

Salary range: $65,001 to $78,395 + 3% 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

The ideal candidate will have:

• Proven experience providing executive support to a senior leader in a complex organisation
• Skilled in booking travel, organising conferences and events, and managing related logistics
• Strong organisational skills with excellent time and information management
• Knowledge of, and experience with, the Machinery of Government and/or the public sector
• Proficient in Microsoft products, including Microsoft Teams
• The ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.

In return we can offer you the opportunity to contribute to an excellent team culture, a strong focus on the development of our people, and the ability to contribute to real change across education. 

About our group and team | Mātau rōpū ake

Collectively, Te Pou Kaupapahere are responsible for whole-of-system, end-to-end policy integration covering early learning, compulsory schooling, and tertiary including Māori medium, te reo Māori, Pacific and Learning Support and international education policy.

We hold the relationship with all education Ministers and provide integrated policy advice to them. We collaborate across government organisations so our advice to Ministers is joined up.

We work to develop strong internal relationships as well as working closely with other central education agencies and other parts of the government. We use high quality research and evidence of what works and are informed by knowledge held by our frontline colleagues.

Our group works closely with other groups across the Ministry of Education, and together we hold relationships with iwi, hapū, hapori and Māori peak bodies, that support the development of policy that honours te Tiriti o Waitangi.

We hold the regulatory stewardship function, taking a whole-of-system, life-cycle view across for the entire education system, as well as for each regulatory subsystem.

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 Alexandra Grace, Executive Support Manager at Alexandra.Grace@education.govt.nz

Applications close Midnight – Thursday 14 August 2025.

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.