PASAI Program Director at The Audit Office, Flexible Location

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

PASAI Program Director

Make a difference for Pacific peoples as a Program Director leading improved performance auditing.

The Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions (PASAI) is the Pacific region's official association of supreme audit institutions (SAIs – government audit offices and similar organisations). We promote transparent and accountable use of public resources in the Pacific by helping to improve the quality of public auditing, for the benefit of all Pacific peoples.

We're looking for a Program Director to lead PASAI's capability development programs.

Reporting to the Chief Executive, you'll be a senior leader in the PASAI Secretariat team and will work with a portfolio of SAIs alongside twinning partners (developed SAI members), technical supporters, consultants, and other stakeholders to implement PASAI's strategic and operational plans.

To succeed in this role, you'll have:

• experience in building strong, trusted, and enduring relationships to get things done and make a difference;
• experience as a public sector auditor to at least Audit Manager level, with more than eight years' practical experience specialising in conducting and managing performance audits;
• specialisation in at least three of PASAI's program workstreams (financial audit, compliance audit, performance audit, investigations, audit quality, SAI independence, and SAI organisational development – one of your specialisations must be performance audit); and
• a relevant tertiary qualification and professional body certification.

The role can be based anywhere in the PASAI region. If you're outside of New Zealand, the role can be home-based, or PASAI will arrange a workspace in your local SAI office if you prefer – you'll remain in your home country, with no relocation required. If you're in New Zealand, our preference is for the role to be based in our Auckland office, but other locations can be discussed. Some travel across the Pacific will be required.

At PASAI we have an Auckland-based Secretariat headquarters and a Director cohort located across the Pacific. Our work is funded by development partners (primarily the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade), and we have confirmed funding until June 2029.

If the successful applicant is located outside of New Zealand, the arrangement will be structured as a contract for service through to June 2029, tied to our current funding agreements.

For more information, contact Esther Lameko-Poutoa, Chief Executive PASAI on +64 9 304 1275 or esther.lamekopoutoa@pasai.org or Sarah Markley, Deputy Secretary-General, PASAI on +64 4 917 1500 or sarah.markley@oag.parliament.nz. For recruitment queries, please contact Sandy Hoggarth on recruitment@ao.parliament.nz

You must apply online through www.jobs.govt.nz (and you'll find the position description there, too).

Applications close Sunday, 19 July 2026.

Advertised on behalf of PASAI as part of our support as Secretary General of PASAI. 

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