Job Description

About Us | Mō mātou

Enterprise Services | Nuku Toiere plays a pivotal role in shaping how the organisation operates and succeeds. As an enterprise-wide function, the branch delivers high-impact services across finance, people and culture, communications, and strategy, governance and risk, supporting informed decision-making and strong organisational performance.

The role | Te tūnga

This is a key leadership role responsible for strengthening risk management, assurance and internal audit across the Department. You'll lead the Risk and Assurance team, ensuring fit-for-purpose frameworks, policies and practices are in place to identify and manage risk, deliver a high-quality internal audit programme, and support effective governance.

Working closely with the Secretary, Executive Leadership Team and senior leaders, you'll provide trusted strategic advice, influence decision-making, and drive a strong risk and assurance culture. You'll also build capability across the organisation, foster collaborative relationships, and ensure assurance activities deliver practical insights that support continuous improvement and organisational performance.

What you bring | Nōu te rourou

• Proven experience leading enterprise risk, assurance or internal audit functions within a large, complex organisation.
• Strong understanding of governance, risk management, internal controls and assurance frameworks, ideally within the public sector.
• A strategic mindset with the ability to influence senior leaders, provide trusted advice and drive organisational improvement.
• Demonstrated success leading and developing high-performing teams while fostering collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, communication and relationship management skills, with confidence working across executive and governance forums.
• Relevant audit or assurance qualifications (such as Certified Internal Auditor) are ideal

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 $154,209 – $191,905.

To review the full job description, please click here.

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 let us know if there is any support, we can provide to ensure the process is accessible to you. 

Applications for this role close 5pm, Sunday 16 August 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 email Jayden Vallabh – Jayden.Vallabh@dia.govt.nz