Chief Advisor to the DCE Strategic Engagement and Stakeholder Insights at Ministry For Ethnic Communities, Wellington - Wairarapa

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Chief Advisor to the DCE Strategic Engagement and Stakeholder Insights

Location:             Wellington
Type:                    Full-time, 12 month fixed term
Hours:                  40
Salary:                  $151,040 - $187,961

About the role

Be at the heart of strategic leadership.  Shape the future of ethnic communities in Aotearoa New Zealand.

This is a pivotal, high-trust role operating at the centre of the Ministry's strategic and organisational leadership. You will work closely with the DCE and the Senior Leadership Team to strengthen our system impact, uplift organisational capability, navigate sensitive issues, and maintain key relationships across the public sector, Ministers' offices, and community stakeholders.

You are the engine of quality, sound judgment and coherence for the business unity. Your judgement, foresight, and leadership will directly impact how effectively the Ministry delivers on its purpose—and how we uphold our spirit of service to Aotearoa New Zealand.

About you

In this role, you will:

Support and enable the DCE

• Provide high-quality insight, advice, and judgement across emerging issues, risks, and opportunities.
• Proactively manage priorities, communications, and governance processes so the DCE can focus on the highest-value activities.
• Ensure the DCE is consistently well-supported through effective preparation for engagements, briefings, and public-facing activities.

Strengthen SESI's leadership and capability

• Bring cohesion to the SESI Senior Leadership Team and support the uplift of strategic, engagement, and quality standards.
• Review and enhance engagement systems, processes, and lead production of quality frameworks to support efficient and consistent delivery.
• Lead responses to cross-organisational and sensitive issues, including media, OIAs, or complex stakeholder matters.

Manage critical relationships and cross-agency engagement

• Act as a trusted representative of the DCE with Ministers' offices, senior leaders, and key internal and external stakeholders.
• Promote clear information flows, timely communication, and effective collaboration across the Ministry and wider system.

Shape a high-performing, inclusive public service

• Model and uphold Public Service values and Te Tiriti o Waitangi commitments.
• Support a safe, respectful, and inclusive workplace by meeting all health and safety and employment obligations.

The ideal candidate for this role will have:

Leadership & Expertise

• Extensive experience as a seasoned principal/ chief advisor operating at executive level in the public sector.
• A strong understanding of central government processes and proven experience working with Ministers and/or Ministerial offices.
• A track record of providing strategic, high-quality advice in complex, ambiguous environments.

Skills & Attributes

• Extensive experience in stakeholder engagement discipline and quality assurance practices.
• Outstanding relationship management skills—trusted, diplomatic, and able to navigate sensitive or challenging situations.
• Political savvy, sound judgement, and a calm, pragmatic approach to problem-solving.
• Integrity, authenticity, and a commitment to the Public Service Code of Conduct.
• The ability to inspire confidence, influence across boundaries, and bring people together to achieve coordinated results.

About us

The Ministry for Ethnic Communities is the Government's chief advisor on ethnic communities, ethnic diversity, and the inclusion of ethnic communities in wider society. We have four key functions;

• We provide advice to the system;
  
  
• We develop the evidence base;
  
  
• We broker conflict and convene stakeholders to resolve issues; and
  
  
• We foster a sense of belonging.

Application process

Applications close: 5pm Friday 27 March 2026.

To apply for this position, please submit your covering letter which outlines why you are interested in the role, along with your CV highlighting your skills, knowledge and experience relevant to the role.

We encourage inclusion and diversity at the Ministry for Ethnic Communities and are committed to equal opportunity in all our employment policies and procedures.  We want to ensure accessibility needs are well supported, so the recruitment process is fair and equitable for all. Therefore, please let us know if there is any support, we can provide to ensure the recruitment process is fully accessible to you. You can contact us at HumanResources@ethniccommunities.govt.nz if you would like to discuss any accessibility needs you may have.

We will be reviewing applications as they come in, so please get your application in as soon as possible.