Senior Advisor, Ministerial Services

Overview

The Ministry of Education New Zealand is seeking a strong Senior Advisor to join its Official and Parliamentary Information team in Wellington. This is a 12-month fixed-term role or a secondment opportunity, and the successful person will help ensure the Ministry remains transparent, accessible, and accountable while delivering a high-quality service to Government and the public.

The role sits within GEMS (Government, Executive & Ministerial Services), an advisory function that supports the flow of quality information and advice between the Ministry, Ministers’ offices, and Parliament.

What you will do

You will take ownership of official information requests for the Ministry and its Ministers, support and quality-check the work of colleagues, coach junior team members, and contribute to proactive release activity. You may also work across other GEMS workstreams such as ministerial correspondence, written parliamentary questions, and Ombudsman investigations.

The role requires close collaboration with business groups to produce responses that are clear, accurate, accessible, and aligned with Ministry priorities, ministerial preferences, the Education Work Programme, Standing Orders, and the Cabinet Manual.

Work in this team is varied, fast-moving, and often subject to emerging issues across the education portfolio. The successful candidate will join a supportive team environment with opportunities to broaden their exposure across the Ministry and the wider education sector.

Salary and employment details

Employment type: fixed term for 12 months or secondment.
Location: Wellington, New Zealand.
Salary range: NZD 100,296 to NZD 121,490 per annum, plus KiwiSaver. The final salary will reflect the appointee’s skills and experience.

What we are looking for

We are looking for someone with substantial experience working with the Official Information Act and building effective relationships with subject matter experts, executive leaders, and Ministers’ offices.

You should be an excellent communicator, able to write and speak with clarity and precision for different audiences. Strong organisation, process discipline, time management, and the ability to juggle competing priorities are essential.

We also need someone who can stay effective under pressure, provide constructive feedback, coach others, assess risk, and maintain high-quality standards. A collaborative mindset, analytical thinking, strong attention to detail, and an ability to spot and reduce risk are important for success in this role.

Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi is highly valued, along with a genuine interest in ministerial servicing and the ability to thrive in a diverse, topical, and fast-paced environment.

Team context

GEMS provides the confidence, connections, and expertise needed to ensure quality information and advice reaches the right people at the right time. Its workstreams include Official Information Act requests, ministerial correspondence, proactive release, Ombudsman investigations, parliamentary questions, and Select Committee questions, including Estimates and Annual Review.

Application details

Applicants should submit a CV and cover letter explaining their motivation, strengths, transferable skills, and the perspectives they would bring to the role. Applications close at midnight on Sunday, 28 June 2026, and assessment may begin before the closing date.

Anyone applying for the role as a secondment must have approval from their current manager before submitting an application. If adjustments or support are needed during recruitment, the Ministry encourages candidates to request assistance.

For further information, contact Emma Drysdale, Manager Official and Parliamentary Information, at [email protected].

Additional information

Date advertised: 15 June 2026.

The Ministry emphasises equity, excellence, diversity of perspective, and a strong sense of belonging for its people.