Job Opportunities in New Zealand

Principal Advisor, Design
Fixed Term Opportunity
Te Ao Mārama Programme – Enhancing Justice for All

Do you thrive in an environment where you can be part of shaping something new?
Are you looking for a role that will have a positive impact in the justice system?
We are looking for a Principal Advisor to support the Te Ao Mārama programme. This is a full time role until July 2025, based in Wellington.

Mō te tīma/About our Team
Te Ao Mārama is a judicially led Kaupapa that will improve the experience for all people who participate in the court system. By partnering with iwi and engaging with communities, Te Ao Mārama will be designed to best serve each community's specific needs.
Te Ao Mārama will mean that all people who come to court to seek justice will be seen, heard, understood and able to meaningfully participate. Te Ao Mārama is inclusive of all people, no matter their means or abilities, regardless of their ethnicity or culture, and regardless of who they are or where they are from. For more information see Te Ao Mārama - Enhancing Justice for All | The District Court of New Zealand (districtcourts.govt.nz)
The Te Ao Mārama Programme team is a multi-disciplinary rōpu established to enable the design, development, and delivery of the programme. You will be working closely with iwi and communities, and supporting teams across the Ministry of Justice and the wider justice sector.

Te Haeata/The Opportunity
The Principal Advisor leads the development and provision of high-quality advice on the design of the Te Ao Mārama programme. This will include leading and supporting the Ministry's design work with iwi and communities to improve justice and wellbeing outcomes for people engaged in the district court system.
The Principal Advisor puts people at the heart of everything we do to significantly contribute to the overall performance, efficiency, national consistency, and capability across the services delivered by the Te Ao Mārama programme, and where appropriate, ensure we are in line with good practice delivered by the Ministry's Operations and Service Delivery (OSD).
The Principal Advisor will be working in the design and engagement team, leading the design with our key partners and stakeholders on whānau-centred and community-focused solutions. The Principal Advisor may be required to work across the wider Ministry and establish strong relationships with other cross-agency initiatives.

Ō pūkenga/Skills and Experience
To be successful in the role you will bring the following skills and experience:

• Competence in Te Reo Māori me ōna tikanga
• Experience in working with Māori communities, groups, and organisations
• Experience and knowledge of design disciplines including Design Thinking, Human Centred Design, Experience Design and Māori models and approaches for social innovation and design.
• Excellent relationship management skills.
• Experience in providing intellectual and professional leadership in the public sector and/or demonstrable experience in a relevant field.
• Understanding of Public sector systems and processes, including accountability requirements and the use of performance information to inform decision-making.
• Experience providing advice on large change initiative/projects.
• Experience leading in a project environment.
• Experience in communicating with a wide range of audiences on a range of complex issues.
• Experience in the application of a te Tiriti framework in providing advice or designing services to address matters that affect Māori
• A strong ability to communicate information clearly and concisely (both in oral and written format) appropriate to the target audience, including experience in writing advice for Ministers and other senior leaders and decision-makers
• Comfortable dealing with ambiguity and confident in providing advice based on incomplete information
• Ability to act in management roles when required
• Welcome and value diversity and contribute to an inclusive working environment where differences are acknowledged and respected.
• An interest in justice system issues – knowledge of the justice sector would be an advantage but is not essential.

Ngā painga o tēnei wāhi mahi/What's great about working here
We offer you a range of benefits to support your wellbeing and help make the Ministry a great place to be. These include:

• 4.4 weeks holiday leave
• flexible work hours where possible
• an online professional development portal
• access to a variety of inclusive and proactive networks

See our full range of benefits here.
With a wide range of jobs, you also get the chance to gain a variety of skills and experience while developing your career.

Utu ā-tau/Salary
The appointing salary for this role will be between $128,129 and $179,192 based on skills and experience.

Tono mai/Apply
To apply, click the Apply button below to be directed to our Careers Website. You can view a detailed position description here, as well as complete an online application form by attaching your CV and cover letter.
Applications close on 29 September; however, we will be reviewing CVs as they come in and inviting successful candidates to interview before the close date.
If you have any questions, please contact recruitment@justice.govt.nz
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