Senior Advisor Design

• Support service and system design to improve outcomes for disabled people
• Work at the intersection of design, policy, delivery, and lived experience
• Secondment or fixed term opportunity ending 30 June 2027

This secondment or fixed term opportunity enables you to contribute your design expertise in a fast-paced, collaborative environment focused on continuous improvement and better outcomes for disabled people.

About our team - Mō te tīma

The Disability Support Services (DSS) Group is responsible for commissioning, funding, and stewarding high-quality services that support disabled people, their families, and whānau.

We're building leadership and management capacity across our teams to deliver both change and business-as-usual effectively.

We work closely with providers, stakeholders, and communities to ensure services are fair, consistent, transparent and sustainable. With a strong focus on performance monitoring, data, and insights, we're committed to continuous improvement and evidence-based decision-making.

It's an exciting time to join DSS as we strengthen our systems and expand our capabilities.

We're looking for passionate people to help us achieve our goals and make a meaningful impact.

About the role - Mō te tūnga

As a Senior Advisor in the Design & Change team, you will provide strategic and operational advice to support service and system design initiatives across DSS.

You will contribute to the development and delivery of work programmes, apply human-centred and systems design approaches, and support the effective implementation of change.

You'll work closely with the Design & Change team and other stakeholders across DSS, to contribute to high-quality design work that is grounded in evidence, lived experience, and strong relationships.

This is a fixed term or secondment opportunity ending 30 June 2027 and is based in our Wellington office.

Key responsibilities include:

• Provide clear, practical senior advice to support problem-solving and outcomes
• Contribute to the development of design strategy, work plans and design workstreams
• Lead or support projects and initiatives as required, ensuring deliverables are high quality and on track
• Apply system and service design principles, tools, and approaches to policy and implementation work
• Support programme establishment and work with Programme Managers to define and scope design activities
• Identify emerging issues and opportunities from the disability community and integrate insights into design work
• Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships across DSS, agencies, providers, and the disability community

We value diversity and welcome applications from disabled people and those who have lived experience with whānau, or the disability community.

Please contact us if there is any support that we can provide to ensure the recruitment process is accessible to you.

What you bring - Ōu pūmanawatanga

• Solid experience in an advisory role, providing advice to a range of audiences
• Experience in service and system design, leading projects, or driving improvements
• Strong understanding of policy and operational delivery processes
• Knowledge of human-centred design methodologies and continuous improvement approaches
• Strong critical thinking skills with the ability to apply sound judgement
• Demonstrated ability to influence without authority and build trusted relationships
• Strong communication, planning, and organisational skills in a busy team environment
• Understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its application in public sector work

Position description - He whakaahuatanga tūnga

A copy of the position description can be found here. Senior Advisor Design position description.

Salary - Utu-ā-tau: $103,815 - $125,958

Applications close - Ka kati ngā tono hei te: Wednesday 21 October 2026.

About us - Mō mātou

The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) is a people-centred organisation. We're in communities across the motu, working with partners to help New Zealanders be safe, strong and independent.

We provide social policy advice to government, and assistance including income, employment and housing support to people of all ages, families, whānau and communities.

As a Te Tiriti o Waitangi partner, we are committed to supporting and enabling Māori, whānau, hapū, Iwi and communities to realise their own potential and aspirations.

Our people are as diverse as the communities we serve. We care about the wellbeing and success of our people and provide a supportive and inclusive working environment where people can thrive and be who they are.

How to apply - Me pēhea te tuku tono

Before you submit your application, please take a moment to review our guidance to understand how AI can best support your application. Candidate Guidance - Responsible AI use in recruitment

To apply, click the 'Apply Now' button to upload your CV, cover letter and complete the online application form.

Note: Your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process. Please highlight how your skills and experience relate to the key responsibilities listed in the position description and job advertisement.

All applications must be made online. If this is not possible or if you have any queries, please contact us at [email protected]

Internal MSD Employees - please apply through your myHR portal at work. This will ensure that your myHR employee profile is visible as internal candidate.

Joining us - Ko te hono mai

Joining MSD means being part of a whānau that celebrates the diversity each individual represents.

We show manaaki, we care about the wellbeing and success of people and want everyone to thrive and be who they are in a supportive and inclusive working environment. We work together to make a difference for communities while doing the right thing with integrity. You can find out more about our values here.

If you have any support or accessibility requirements, we encourage you to tell us when you apply so we can assist you through the recruitment process.