Senior Project Coordinator

• Be central to the smooth running of complex design and service development programmes and projects
• Support work that works alongside the disability community and service providers
• Rare Dunedin based opportunity!

Play a critical role in enabling well-designed, projects that support disability services.

About our team - Mo te tima

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

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 - Mo te tunga

The Senior Project Coordinator provides high-quality administration and coordination support to help implement and operationalise key projects within the Design Team.

Working closely with the Design & Change Lead, Workstream Leads and Programme Managers, you'll support the execution of the DSS Design Strategy and Strategic programmes.

This role sits at the centre of the Design Team, providing high-quality coordination and administration support to ensure key projects run smoothly and effectively.

This role is based in our Dunedin office.

Key responsibilities:

• Work with the Design & Change Lead and Programme Managers to ensure work is well planned, using work planning tools and methods to manage, monitor and report on results
• Provide senior coordination and administrative support to Workstream Leads and Programme Managers, including planning, scheduling and tracking deliverables
• Organise meetings with internal and external partners, including preparing agendas, taking minutes and drafting or proofreading materials
• Arrange travel and purchasing in line with relevant All-of-Government requirements
• Develop, update and maintain project, programme and work programme plans
• Document and maintain key project registers, including actions, risks, dependencies, change control, assumptions and deliverables
• Prepare reports, responses, presentations and governance documentation, ensuring accuracy and timely system updates.

We value diversity and welcome applications from disabled people and those who have lived experience with whanau, 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 - Ou pumanawatanga

• Proven experience providing coordination support across projects or programmes of work
• Confidence supporting managers and senior leaders in a busy, dynamic environment
• Strong organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to work under pressure and meet competing deadlines
• Strong communication skills and experience engaging with diverse groups
• Experience using Microsoft Excel and / or project management tools
• Strong relationship management skills, with the ability to work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders
• A strong user focus and commitment to delivering quality outcomes.

You'll be resilient, adaptable and comfortable working at pace in a close, busy team environment. You bring sound judgement, high integrity, and a pragmatic approach, and you value diversity and contribute to an inclusive workplace where differences are respected.

Position description - He whakaahuatanga tunga

A copy of the position can be found here. Senior Project Coordinator position description.

Salary - Utu-a-tau: $69,519 - $84,041

Applications close - Ka kati nga tono hei te: Monday, 26 October 2026.

About us - Mo matou

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, whanau and communities.

As a Te Tiriti o Waitangi partner, we are committed to supporting and enabling Maori, whanau, hapu, 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 pehea 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 whanau 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.