Job Description

About Us | Mō mātou    

The Survivor Experiences Service provides a safe, supportive and confidential space for survivors of abuse in care to share their experiences as part of their healing journey. The Service also supports survivors to access and understand their care records, helping to fill gaps in personal histories and provide greater understanding of past experiences.

Hosted by Te Tari Taiwhenua (Department of Internal Affairs) and overseen by an independent board, the Service brings together survivor experiences to deepen understanding of abuse in care and inform efforts to prevent future harm. Survivors may also be connected with other support services, ensuring they receive the assistance they need throughout their journey.

The role | Te tūnga

As Principal Advisor, Communications, you’ll provide strategic communications advice to the Survivor Experiences Service leadership team and Board, helping shape how the Service communicates with survivors, stakeholders and the wider community. You’ll lead integrated communications strategies and complex projects, identify opportunities, and provide trusted advice on emerging issues, media and reputation.

This is a hands-on strategic role where you’ll bring strong political and strategic nous, sound judgement and a creative approach to communicating with diverse survivor audiences. You’ll work closely with senior leaders, DIA’s Communications team and external partners, while providing leadership and coaching to communications colleagues. You’ll also be expected to roll up your sleeves and support operational communications when needed, ensuring the Service has the right communications support at both a strategic and day-to-day level.

This position is fixed term through to June 2028.

What you bring | Nōu te rourou

• Significant communications, media or public relations experience, including crisis and reputation management.
• Strong strategic thinking and planning skills, with the ability to anticipate risks, opportunities and external influences.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with experience advising senior leaders and developing executive and media communications.
• Proven ability to build trusted relationships, influence without direct authority and work confidently with senior stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of public sentiment, stakeholder insights and communications effectiveness, with the ability to use evidence to shape strategy.
• High emotional intelligence, political acumen, sound judgement and discretion, with the resilience to operate in complex and sensitive environments.  

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 - $143,634. 

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, Tuesday 1 September 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  Polly Martin - Polly.Martin2@survivorexperiences.govt.nz