Senior Advisor, Wellbeing

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 are seeking a Senior Advisor - Wellbeing to join our team, who can build trusted and meaningful relationships with claimants and their whānau, ensuring their hauora | wellbeing needs are understood and supported as they progress through their claims journey.

The role is focussed on working with eligible sensitive claimants to plan tailored support that meets their immediate and priority wellbeing needs. You will engage with claimants and providers to connect claimants to appropriate services.

In this role, you will.

• Uplife the mana of claimants and their whānua through every meaningul interaction.
• Work collaboratively with claimants to develop a tailored, culturally appropriate wellbeing plans that reflects their individual practical priority needs.
• Manage challenging and sensitive conversations with empathy, care, and professionalism.
• Identify issues, resolve problems, and provide practical, well‑considered solutions using sound judgement and tact.
• Organise yourself and your work through an efficient use of time, setting targets and achieving them.

Salary range: $85,225 - $103,071 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

As a Senior Advisor, Wellbeing, you will bring strong analytical capability alongside excellent interpersonal and relationship‑management skills, enabling you to work effectively with a diverse range of people. Your background in working with community stakeholders will enable you to build positive working relationships with community providers, adding to a smooth and efficient service for our clients.

You will also bring:

• Experience working in complex and ambiguous environments
• Experience engaging with community stakeholders, with the ability to build trust and foster collaboration across diverse groups.
• Experience working with people who are vulnerable and who may have experienced trauma.
• Knowledge and experience in using Te Ao Maori and/or Te Ao Pasifika frameworks of Engagement.
• An understanding of the public sector, education sector and social services sector would be advantageous.
• Resilience when working with challenging material, maintaining composure and perspective in difficult situations.
• Self-awareness and agility, encouraging feedback on your own performance and adapting your approach to optimise effectiveness with new and different situations and people.
• The ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.

About our group and team | Mātau rōpū ake 

The Sensitive Claims team leads and delivers the Ministry’s redress process for addressing claims of historic abuse or neglect in state schools. A sensitive claim is defined as a claim where an individual alleges that they were abused or neglected at a state or residential special school and is seeking some form of redress. We ensure claims are managed in a respectful, mana-enhancing way, and that claimants and their whānau are at the centre of everything we do.

We also work closely with the Crown Response Office and other state redress agencies on delivering the Government’s Redress response to the recommendations of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State Care.

Our group sits within Te Pou Taunaki | Learning Support group who are accountable for providing functional leadership to all learning support services spanning national functions and regional delivery, delivered either in-house, by education providers or by other providers.   

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 Sa Va’aelua, Principal Advisor, Sensitive Claims at Saolelagi.Vaaelua@education.govt.nz

Applications close Midnight - Wednesday, 13 May 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.