Technical Lead - Quality Assurance at NZ Qualifications Authority, Wellington

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Technical Lead - Quality Assurance

Pacific Qualifications Recognition Project 

Fixed Term |12 months

Part Time    | 0.5 FTE

 

Whakatairangatia ngā kete o te mātauranga ki te ao mārama!  E te tai whakarunga, e te tai whakararo, nau piki mai, nau kake mai ki te Mana Tohu Mātauranga o Aotearoa.

May the baskets of knowledge (education) be brought into the world of light.  We welcome one and all to join us at the New Zealand Qualifications Authority.

 

Are you passionate about building capability in Pacific countries to transform the lives of Pacific people?

Do you have experience in qualifications frameworks, quality assurance of tertiary education and virtual capability building?

Do you enjoy taking your experience and applying it in evolving contexts where nobody has done what they are doing before?

If yes, we would like to hear from you.

 

The project 

The Pacific region continues to face low levels of qualifications recognition, creating barriers to employment and labour mobility for skilled and semi‑skilled workers. Improving these systems is critical to unlocking economic opportunities and strengthening development across Pacific Island countries. 

The Pacific Qualifications Recognition Project (PQRP) is a five‑year capability and capacity‑building initiative (2024–2028) funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Guided and project managed by NZQA and delivered in partnership with the Pacific Community's (SPC) Educational Quality and Assessment Programme (EQAP), the project works alongside Pacific country representatives to strengthen the Pacific Qualifications Framework and national qualification systems. The project aims to achieve: 

• Enhanced consistency of Pacific qualification recognition and assurance processes 

• Wider ownership, trust in, and support for regional qualifications systems 

• Increased employment opportunities for Pacific people as a result of recognised qualifications 

The focus for the first 2 years of the project was understanding the regional qualifications mechanisms and the 9 Pacific country national qualification systems, and where they could be strengthened to enable qualifications recognition. The project is now entering its second phase which aims, over the remaining 3 years, to:  

• transition leadership from NZQA to EQAP, as the long-term custodian of the regional mechanisms to support qualifications recognition and relevance 

• strengthen the regional mechanisms to support qualifications recognition and relevance 

• strengthen 9 national qualification systems to support qualifications recognition and relevance 

 

The team 

The PQRP project is supported by a small, supportive, high energy and fun core team of 3, who bring much of the expertise required to build the necessary capability, and call on other parts of NZQA for the rest.  We spend most of our time connecting virtually with our regional implementing partner and country representatives to strengthen national and regional qualifications systems. During 2026 and 2027, this core team will be supported by 3 technical lead roles in:  

• Quality Assurance 

• Qualifications Recognition 

• Information systems  

 

The role 

The Technical Lead – Quality Assurance will contribute technical expertise to lay strong foundations for the strengthening phase of the project, through: 

• Developing and maintaining effective working and influencing relationships with internal and external stakeholders, while working mostly remotely with a wide range of project partners in the Pacific region 

• Working with the Pacific Qualifications Advisory Board Steering Group, SPC EQAP staff and Pacific stakeholders to:  

• • Reviewing the Pacific Qualifications Framework and Pacific Quality Assurance Framework 
  • Implementing the changes or outcomes of the review 
  • Trialling and embedding the reviewed regional system  

• Offering technical advice to qualifications framework and quality assurance staff in qualifications agencies and relevant government departments so their countries have stronger qualifications systems  

• Building the capability of SPC EQAP and Pacific partner representatives through mentoring, coaching, targeted advice and development of training initiatives, including working with the learning designer to develop an online course for quality assurance evaluators across the Pacific 

• Working with managers and team leaders from NZQA's quality assurance division to identify technical experts and support the experts to build Pacific partner capability   

• Working with the learning designer to develop and implement a capability transfer framework and plan for SPC EQAP staff as they shadow and then are mentored by NZQA 

 

 What we can offer: 

• A fun and supportive team environment 

• An interesting role with variety and challenge 

• The opportunity to make a difference in the Pacific 

 

 How to apply

For more information about this role and NZQA please refer to the job description, NZQA's Customer Charter and Organisational Values.

To apply, please include your CV and cover letter. Applications close at 5.00pm on Monday 20 April 2026. 

If you would like to discuss further, please contact Terry Neal at terry.neal@nzqa.govt.nz.

 

You must have the right to live and work in Aotearoa New Zealand to apply for this role.

 NZQA is committed to developing a diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities and welcome applications from everyone who can meet the requirements of the role.