Lead Communications Advisor at NZ Ministry of Justice, Wellington City

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Te Haeata/The Opportunity 

Preventing and responding to family violence and sexual violence is one of Aotearoa New Zealand's most complex and enduring challenges. It requires sustained collaboration across government, communities, and the wider sector.

The Executive Board for the Elimination of Family Violence and Sexual Violence (Executive Board) provides whole-of-government leadership to implement Te Aorerekura, New Zealand's strategy to eliminate family violence and sexual violence, by supporting and coordinating action and driving system-wide progress through action plans. The Centre for Family Violence and Sexual Violence Prevention (the Centre) supports the Executive Board in this important work.

As the Centre's dedicated communications specialist, you'll lead strategic communications while remaining closely involved in the day-to-day delivery of high-quality advice and communications products. You will ensure framing and key messages across the Centre's communications, including published reports, cross-government communications, and Ministerial talking points.

In this role, you will:

• Lead communications planning for the Centre to support delivery across a complex, multi-agency work programme.
• Support a coordinated, whole-of-government approach to communications across the family violence and sexual violence portfolio.
• Develop clear, compelling content and communications products for a range of audiences.
• Coach and mentor colleagues, helping to lift communications capability across the Centre and wider system.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with key stakeholders, including within Ministerial offices and government agencies.

Ō pūkenga/Skills and Experience 

To be successful in this role, you will:

• Bring significant communications and media advisory experience, ideally in a government or public sector environment.
• Demonstrate experience providing strategic advice to senior leaders and other decision-makers.
• Develop compelling content and narratives for a range of audiences and channels.
• Build credibility quickly and influence across organisational and agency boundaries.
• Navigate complex, sensitive, and high-profile issues with sound judgement and political awareness.
• Demonstrate commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and public service.

If your experience looks a little different from what we have outlined and you believe you can bring value to the role, we'd love to hear from you.

Mō mātou/About Us 

The Centre for Family Violence and Sexual Violence Prevention supports the Executive Board for the Elimination of Family Violence and Sexual Violence to deliver Te Aorerekura, New Zealand's national strategy to eliminate family violence and sexual violence. The Centre is hosted by the Ministry of Justice and works across government to coordinate collective action and drive long-term system change.  

No single agency can eliminate family violence and sexual violence alone. The Centre brings a whole-of-system perspective and works alongside agencies, iwi, providers, and communities to ensure sustainable improvements are achieved.  

Our work is guided by five values: 

• Innovation and Auahatanga
• Equity and Ōritetanga
• Integrity and Tika, Pono
• Collaboration and Kotahitanga
• Compassion and Aroha

Ngā painga o tēnei wāhi mahi/What's great about working here 

We offer a range of benefits to support your wellbeing and help make the Ministry a great place to work, including:  

• 4.4 weeks holiday leave 

• flexible work hours where possible  

• an online professional development portal  

• access to a variety of inclusive and proactive networks  

See our full range of benefits here.  

With a wide range of jobs, you also get the chance to gain a variety of skills and experience while developing your career.  

Utu ā-tau/Salary 

The remuneration band for this role is $130,129 to $179,192. While the appointing salary will be based on skills and experience. 

Tono mai/Apply 

You can view a detailed position description and complete an online application by attaching your CV and cover letter.  

Applications close on 31 October 2026. However, we will be reviewing applications as they are received and may invite suitable candidates to interview prior to the closing date.  

If you have any questions, please contact recruitment@justice.govt.nz and include “MOJ XXX” (job number) in your subject line.  

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