Principal Advisor

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 fixed term opportunity for 12 months.

The Principal Advisor, Office of the Hautū provides leadership on strategic and operational matters of the Group. This role will have a strong Digital focus to support the Director of the Office of the Hautū and the Chief Digital Officer (CDO), by providing proactive, high-quality strategic advice across digital and data initiatives, and other initiatives in the work programme. 

You will work proactively with key customers and stakeholders to gather insights to inform quality advice for senior leaders, governance boards and ministers. Your work will ensure the CDO is well-positioned to drive system-wide priorities and contribute to the broader goals of the Ministry. You will bring a blend of strategic insight, digital fluency, and public sector experience.

The Principal Advisor supports the Director of the Office of the Hautū through providing strategic leadership and advice to support the Group to operate, improve and meet changing customer needs.

The Principal Advisor will operate with a high degree of judgement and understanding of complexity and managing risks to ensure all activities are delivered to a high standard. The Principal Advisor is expected to work flexibly across Te Pou Rangatōpū and the Ministry. It is also important for the Principal Advisor to develop and maintain networks at all levels of the organisation to deliver on the role.

For more details about the role, you can view the job description here. 

About you | Mōhou ake

To be successful in this role you will have the following capabilities and competencies:

• Understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, its principles, and their implications
• A relevant tertiary qualification or related experiences
• A track record of bringing people together and leading, coaching and mentoring others to achieve outcomes. 
• A proven ability to use data and insights to identify trends, risks and opportunities, to influence and guide organisational and system-level decision making.  
• A proven track record of building and maintaining trusted relationships with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Sound political awareness and knowledge of government processes, with proven ability to navigate ambiguity in a complex environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including excellent writing and presenting advice to senior leaders and ministers.

A strong understanding of the education system, and how digital capabilities enable outcomes is also preferred.

About our group and team | Mātau rōpū ake

At Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga, we work to provide services and support nationally, regionally and locally to the education sector, and in some cases, directly to ākonga and whanau.

Te Pou Rangatōpū supports the Ministry's purpose to “shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent outcomes”. Our group is responsible for keeping the Ministry safe by delivering essential Ministry-wide statutory and corporate functions, and delivering improvements to how the Ministry works, so we can achieve our priorities and support the ministry to deliver the Government’s priorities.

We also provide essential services such as governance, organisational strategy, communications, facilities, legal, finance, procurement, digital services, ministerial reporting and people capability to the organisation. This includes working closely with our staff unions.

Our group is focused on role-modelling cultural responsiveness through the design and implementation of our corporate policy, processes and practices.

The Office of the Hautū supports the Hautū for Te Pou Rangatōpū by delivering high quality advice on strategic and operational matters of the Group, and acts as a key interface between the Group and the wider organisation. The Office plays a critical role in identifying and advising the Hautū and senior leaders on group performance, key risks and issues, and strategic issues affecting the group and organisation.

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 hiring manager Helen Allred at helen.allred@education.govt.nz.

Applications close Midnight – Friday 4 July 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.