Lead Advisor at NZ Ministry of Education, Canterbury

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Lead Advisor - Learning Support Network

• Te Tai Runga (South - Wellington and South Island), based in the Christchurch regional office
• Full-time role permanent role

He mea tārai e mātou te mātauranga kia rangatira ai, kia mana taurite ai ōna huanga

We work to shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent outcomes

Our organisation is made up of more than 3,000 talented and committed people around New Zealand, 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 every child, young person, and adult student in our education system.

Mō tēnei tūranga | About this role

You will work directly with senior leaders, school boards and Communities of Learning | Kāhui Ako to achieve successful educational outcomes for all students, address inequity and realise the potential of Māori and Pacific students.

You will have a particular focus on working alongside the Early Learning and Schooling/ Specialist Schooling sector to promote inclusive, culturally responsive practice to benefit diverse learners. You must be able to influence others and back this up with knowledge, skills, and experience in improving student engagement, achievement, and wellbeing.

Mōhou ake | About you

You will have an appropriate tertiary qualification and recent experience in the New Zealand schooling sector will bring the following expertise 

• in-depth understanding of factors influencing education performance and student achievement and participation.
• knowledge of curriculum delivery and assessment.
• knowledge of recent legislative changes and the impact on schools.
• strong analytical skills and the ability to work with demographic data to determine needs, priorities, and results.
• the ability to build and maintain successful relationships.
• experience in developing and implementing projects and in contract management.
• the ability to contribute to the regional goal for Māori achieving and enjoying educational success as Māori and to work confidently with schools and kura in both Māori medium and mainstream contexts.
• an understanding of the relevance of identity, language and culture for Māori, Pacific people and students who require additional learning support.
• successful experience working with school leaders, school Boards or Communities of Learning | Kāhui Ako to strengthen school practice and raise student achievement.
• strong oral and written communication skills.
• a methodical and systematic approach to work while being creative and solution focused.
• the ability to understand and apply the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and tangatawhenuatanga.

In addition to the Lead Adviser tasks, this specialist function will work across Ministry teams  (Learning Support, Network, and the Education Infrastructure Service) to develop a fully inclusive education sector from both a practice and property perspective. This includes:

• working alongside the education sector (early learning, schools, kura and tertiary) to support inclusive learning.
• supporting connections between schools and early learning services to build capability in inclusive practice and collaborative pathways across and through specialist spaces (Special Schools, satellites, local schools, and specialist programmes).  
• providing support and guidance to Ministry staff and sector providers to ensure access to specialist spaces is equitable and transparent.
• promoting flexible and responsive pathways for ORS learners across the specialist network so all learners receive equitable access to specialist supports when required.
• supporting and guiding sector-led initiatives to develop teacher capability in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and promote a more connected and responsive learning support network.
• utilising data to identify trends and inform ministry projects leading to better outcomes for learners with high and complex needs.

Mātau rōpū ake | About our ministry, group, and team

Te Mahau | Te Tai Runga (South) is a frontline group. Our frontline groups collectively provide leadership and integrated services to the sector and others. This includes services such as learning support and education advice and regulation functions for schools and early learning services. We do this through coordinating and delivering responsive solutions in order to realise the local education priorities and goals.

Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi? | Are you ready to make a difference?

We welcome candidates from diverse backgrounds, including Māori, Pacific and those with disabilities, who will enrich our understanding of the education system.

As a government agency, the Ministry is committed to keeping to the Treaty of Waitangi's guiding principles in our work for and with Māori students, their whānau, hapū and iwi.

You are also welcome to reach out to Susan Schneideman for more information at susan.schneideman@education.govt.nz.

Applications close midnight, Sunday 11^th June 2023.