Senior Advisor Digital Messaging and DVE at Department of Internal Affairs, Wellington

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Type: Permanent
Hours: Full time
Location: Wellington
Business Group: Digital Safety and Investigations
Branch: Regulatory and Identity Services
Salary: $100,356 - $124,891

Are you passionate about making the digital world safer for all New Zealanders? We are seeking a Senior Advisor to join our Digital Messaging and Violent Extremism team within the Digital Safety Directorate.

In this senior operational role, you will provide expert advice and support to a team of Investigators and Analysts working across digital safety including anti-spam/scams and countering violent extremism. You will play a key role in reducing harm by addressing digital threats through collaboration with partner agencies both nationally and internationally.

A significant aspect of this position is representing the Digital Safety Directorate on various national and international working groups focused on combating digital violent extremism and scams. This includes engagement with Five Country partners and other international stakeholders working to reduce online harm.

Key Responsibilities

• Liaise with relevant government agencies (NZ Police, Customs, and security agencies) and New Zealand's international law enforcement partners, including Five Country partners, to collaborate on reducing digital violent extremism
• Represent and support the Manager in internal and external fora, including national and international working groups on combating violent extremism, harmful messaging, and scams
• Provide operational advice and input to the department's policy function on the development of legislation and regulations pertaining to digital violent extremism
• Lead and provide advice on the development of operational policies and processes for digital violent extremism and digital messaging
• Contribute to international policy development and operational initiatives, bringing advice on international best practice
• Develop and maintain productive working relationships with Internet Service Providers, online platforms, and banks to address harmful messaging and digital violent extremism
• Maintain awareness and connections with communities impacted by online extremism, including Muslim and Jewish communities

What You'll Bring

Experience and Knowledge

• Experience in a policy or operational policy role within central or local government
• Experience working in a large and complex organisation (desirable)
• Understanding of modern digital media, communications and messaging platforms, with awareness of technology developments
• Understanding of the machinery of government and the public policy-making process

Skills and Attributes

• Ability to work across agencies and sectors to achieve measurable progress in outcomes, particularly related to online safety
• Demonstrated resilience in a complex environment with exposure to objectionable material
• Strong oral and written communication skills with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels
• Strong interpersonal skills to engage with a range of stakeholders including technical specialists and affected communities
• Strong analytical skills, sound judgement, and decision-making ability
• Ability to interpret and analyse legislation and translate research and best practice into operational policy

Qualifications

• A relevant tertiary qualification in public policy, international relations, strategic studies, or a related field is preferred. However, we also welcome applications from candidates who can demonstrate equivalent experience and expertise in lieu of formal qualifications.

Other Requirements

• Must be able to obtain and hold a Top Secret security clearance
  
  Applications close: 5pm, Tuesday, 10 February 2026.
  For more information please contact: Glenn Williams
  Job description: To review the full job descri'ption, please click here. If you are unable to follow the link, please review the full job description on our careers website.