Head of Engagement | Urunga Tūtataki at Human Rights Commission, Wellington - Wairarapa

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Head of Engagement | Urunga Tūtataki

Salary Range $161,463 - $218,449

Band Exec24

Location: Auckland or Wellington

• Work alongside our nation's leading human rights practitioners as a Tier 2 leader 

• Reporting to the Tino Rangatiratanga Leader of a Crown Entity of a Tiriti-based National Human Rights Institution and an exemplar organisation 

• Skilled and respected strategic relationship manager with highly developed political nous 

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The employment opportunity   

We are searching for a person with exceptional leadership skills – you will be managing a team of talented, diverse and passionate human rights professionals who play a critical role in ensuring that human rights in Aotearoa are advanced through effective and well-informed dialogue and evidence-based discourse. 

You will skilfully lead the Commission's teams responsible for public-facing engagement on core human rights work, weaving sensitive negotiation, communications, and community engagement throughout your mahi using your te Tiriti knowledge and experience to achieve outstanding collective impact and positive outcomes.

You will collaborate with your tier 2 colleagues to ensure the organisation's capacity punches above its weight and “breathes life into” the human rights and te Tiriti vision of its governance body.

While the Commission has home offices in Wellington and Auckland, there may be potential for flexibility in location. We encourage applications from those skilled in Te Aō Māori or who have lived experience and they reflect our nation's diversity.

He kōrero mōu | About you

To be successful in this role, you will have or be developing the following;

• Well-honed relationship management capability and a track record of exemplary conduct and leadership

• A good understanding of government relations, communications, public engagement (including with tāngata whenua and diverse communities), research and policy

• Experience in human rights or relevant specialist areas or policy issues, with an appreciation for government and community attitudes relating to harmonious relations in Aotearoa

• Demonstrated commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and experience working alongside tāngata whenua.

• Experience at a senior executive level with a proven record of monitoring progress and delivering impact through others

• Experience working with central government functions

• Understanding of, and an ability to operate effectively in, the dynamic and challenging environment in which the Commission operates

• Ability to lead on strategy and system creation to ensure a unified delivery of core work streams with well understood processes and standards.

Mō tō mātou Rōpū | About the Team

• The Engagement rōpū is focused on public-facing engagement and ensuring impact on our strategic pieces of work to realise changes in people's lives, changes in attitudes and changes in policy, legislation or practice. The work of the rōpū is aligned to the Commission's strategic plan and is multifaceted including advocacy, stakeholder engagement, public consultation, research and communications. The rōpū comprises of three areas focused on collective impact: advisory support for commissioners; research and engagement; and communications and media.

• The Research and Engagement team supports the production of commission research, consultation with the public and strategic education and/or advocacy.

• The Communications and Media team support the Commission's external communication work and ensures that our priority work is strategically promoted to reach appropriate audiences and achieve progress for our goals.

• The Principal Advisor & Strategic Engagement Advisor provide expert support for our Commissioners when they're advancing strategic aims, publicly appearing on issues and engaging with key stakeholders and government relations.

Throughout each year all of the teams will be expected to contribute to the statutory obligations of the Commission including designing strategy, business planning, quarterly and annual reporting or other needs as they arise.

Ko wai mātou | About the Human Rights Commission

We are committed to supporting a life of dignity for all, and to being a Te Tiriti based organisation tauira and human rights exemplar. We aim to ensure that all four articles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi are upheld at every level of the organisation and in all our activities. Our expectation is that all individuals and teams have an important role in contributing to this journey and to be nimble, focused and coordinated for collective impact.

Ngā whaipainga o te mahi kei te Kāhui Tika Tangata | Benefits of working at the Human Rights Commission

• Generous leave package, five (5) weeks Annual Leave + an additional suite of leave (Commission Days, Cultural Leave, Sick leave)

• Te Tiriti Based Organisation

• 37.5 hrs working week

• Flexible Working

• Career Progression

• Enhanced (above legislation) parental leave provisions.

Te Whakauruuru me te Kanorautanga | Inclusion & Diversity

We are open to applicants with a broad range of relevant and lived experiences as we celebrate diversity. To build a strong and representative workforce, we actively seek applications from people across our communities, including the disabled and neurodiverse, people with diverse ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds and from rainbow communities.

Please let us know, if any of our processes pose a barrier for you, or if you require any additional support that would facilitate your full participation in the application, selection and employment process. The job description and this advertisement are available in alternative formats and can be provided on request.

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

Download a job description and complete the application form and be sure to include a covering letter and CV with your application.

If you have any questions about the role or application process please contact the People and Culture team by email: peopleandculture@tikatangata.org.nz

Please apply directly on our careers site:HRC Careers site to ensure we receive your application promptly

Applications close at midnight on Wednesday, 11 February 2026, with interviews scheduled between 20-25 February 2026. Shortlisted applicants may be asked to take part in a practical assessment as part of the final selection process. We will also require at least two references if you are shortlisted as the preferred candidate.

Applicants must have legal working rights in Aotearoa New Zealand and be able to satisfy standard pre-employment checks.