Clinical Programme Specialist - Maternity - Clinical Leadership (Fixed Term) at Te Whatu Ora, All Locations

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Join Health New Zealand as a Clinical Programme Specialist
• Full time, fixed term opportunity for 11 months
• Location: National

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is the country's largest employer, delivering universal public healthcare to 5 million New Zealanders. 

We provide essential hospital, specialist, and community health services across 80+ locations — from large urban centres to rural towns and remote communities. 

Our goal is to improve health outcomes for all New Zealanders by delivering equitable, accessible and innovative care. 

About the Role

We have a new opportunity for a Clinical Programme Specialist- Maternity to join the team and lead a comprehensive national analysis and gaps identification of the Escalations of Care Pathways within maternity services in Aotearoa New Zealand.

This work aims to identify system-level breakdowns, equity gaps, and opportunities for improvement on how care is escalated for birthing people, babies, and whānau. The findings will inform a data-based roadmap for evidence-based quality and safety improvements in the various escalations of care processes in maternity care in Aotearoa New Zealand.

This role is fixed term, full time role for 11 months.

About the Team/Service/ Location

Reporting to the National Chief, Midwifery. This role sits in the Office of the Executive National Director, Clinical within Health New Zealand. This role will also work closely with the Chief Midwife and the Maternity National Clinical Network team to ensure projects and workstreams are aligned and a cohesive team delivers projects in a consistent way to stakeholders

About you

Our ideal candidate will bring a high level of understanding, skill and experience in the field of midwifery and maternity services. They should bring expert leadership to execute successful deliverables for the project outcomes. You have mature communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to write and present in a clear, persuasive, and impactful way, to influence others to embrace change, and to develop, unify and maintain strong internal and external relationships essential for achieving sustainable outcomes.  

• A relevant graduate and post-graduate qualification in a clinical field such as Midwifery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Maternal and Child Health, Nursing (with a focus on maternity or neonatal care), Public Health (with a clinical focus), Perinatal Medicine, Women's Health, Clinical Quality and Safety, or Health Services Management, is essential
• Extensive and credible senior clinical experience in maternity care (e.g., Midwifery, Obstetrics) is essential
• Knowledge or expertise in safety and quality improvement measures
• Proven expertise in conducting formal health programme evaluations, systems reviews, clinical audits, and benchmarking against international standards
• Demonstrated experience in implementing Te Tiriti o Waitangi in action
• The ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with people at all levels, including community interest groups and the wider health sector

Working for Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand. We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.  

How to Apply

To apply please click “apply now”. All applications must be submitted through our online careers' portal by Wednesday, 17 December 2025. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Anesha Pillay via Anesha.pillay@tewhatuora.govt.nz

Whilst Health New Zealand is undergoing change affected employees will be given preference and priority for this position.