Principal Advisor at Department of Internal Affairs, Wellington

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

About Us | Mō mātou

Join the Partnerships and Commissions | Te Aukaha branch and help deliver services that truly matter! From national institutions and commissions to community-driven initiatives like Hāpai Hapori Community Operations, Archives and Library New Zealand, and Ministerial Services, we bring together innovation, strategy, and action to make a positive difference across Aotearoa.

The role | Te tūnga

As Principal Advisor, you will work closely with the senior leaders, the wider leadership tea, and also partner with the Deputy Secretary to provide trusted, high quality advice across the branch. This is a fixed term opportunity until 26th February 2027, where you will bring a strategic lens to planning risk, performance, capability, reporting and organisational alignment, anticipating issues, and helping ensure the branch is well positioned to deliver on its priorities. At times you may step in to support or represent the Director and lead high'profile or complex pieces of work on their behalf.

You will also play a key role in shaping and uplifting the capability of the advisory practice - mentoring Senior Business Advisors and Business Advisors and contributing to a high-performing, well-connected team culture. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working at the intersection of strategy, operations, and people - someone who can see the big picture while providing practical, well'considered advice.

What you bring | Nōu te rourou

• Provide strategic advice and thought leadership to the Director and Deputy Secretary working alongside other Branch Performance Principal Advisors on complex issues, risks, and opportunities.
• Lead and influence branch-level strategic and business planning, ensuring alignment with DIA's enterprise priorities.
• Anticipate and assess emerging risks and strengthen risk identification and management frameworks.
• Oversee and guide the branch's contributions to accountability documents ensuring these processes add real value.
• Build and maintain strong relationships across the branch and wider Department, helping align planning and reporting approaches.
• Mentor Senior Business Advisors and Business Advisors, supporting their development and strengthening unified ways of working.

For you | Mōu

At the Department of Internal Affairs, we are committed to offering a collaborative and innovative culture where your perspective and ideas will be welcomed. We want our people to thrive within a culture of best practice, while being able to set and achieve goals and being encouraged to challenge the status quo.

To learn more about the diverse, important mahi we do at the Department and see why we're a great place to work check out our website https://www.dia.govt.nz/

Benefits - About Internal Affairs - Careers with us - Benefits - dia.govt.nz

The appointing range for this role is $129,271 - $160,871 with the potential to appoint higher depending on level of experience.

How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono

We are unable to accept applications via email. Please click the apply button to submit your application.

We're committed to ensuring our application process is accessible to everyone. Please reach out to our recruitment team below if there is any support, we can provide to ensure the process is accessible to you.

Applications for this role close 5pm, Friday 27th March 2026. Please also note that you must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand to be considered for this role.

If you have any questions, please e-mail Penny Langley

To review the full job description, please click here.