Job Description

• Wellington based | Permanent | Full-time
• 4.4 weeks annual leave | Wellness allowance after 12 months
• Salary midpoint: $108,452.00 dependant on experience

What you’ll do – Ko tōu ake mahi

The Surveillance and Intelligence and Insights and Evidence teams sit within the Public Health Agency and Mental Health Group, providing national leadership across public and population health. This Senior Advisor role contributes specialist advice, insight and leadership across key public health and mental health work programmes.

Bring your strategic thinking, analytical expertise and sound judgement to work that supports decision-making across the Ministry and the wider health system. You’ll lead and contribute to complex initiatives, turn evidence and data into clear insights, and provide high-quality advice to senior officials and Ministers. Alongside delivering your own work, you’ll strengthen relationships, support continuous improvement and help build capability across the team.

• Prepare high-quality reports, briefings, advice and correspondence that inform strategic priorities in public health and mental health, including advice for senior officials and Ministers.
• Analyse evidence, data and information using strategic and critical thinking to generate clear insights and support sound decision-making.
• Lead complex work, including performance monitoring, evaluation and reporting frameworks, while ensuring delivery is well planned and collaborative.
• Build positive relationships across the Ministry, government and wider health sector, while mentoring Advisors and strengthening capability within the team.

What you’ll bring – Ko ngā pūkenga ōu

• A master’s or PhD-level qualification in a relevant discipline, such as public health, mental health, epidemiology, health sciences, clinical science or social science, or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated experience providing proactive, objective and high-quality advice, ideally within the health sector.
• Strong experience understanding, manipulating and presenting data from varied sources, with the ability to explain complex information clearly to different audiences.
• Strategic and critical thinking, sound judgement and the confidence to navigate complexity, manage risks and take initiative.
• Excellent communication, organisation and relationship-building skills, together with a flexible and collaborative approach and an understanding of the machinery of government and health system.

About the Ministry

As the Government's lead advisor on health, we help shape the future of New Zealand's health system through policy, regulation and monitoring. Join a team that makes a real difference to the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders while working in a supportive, inclusive environment that values wellbeing, growth and development.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are committed to an accessible and respectful recruitment process.

How to apply – Me pēhea te tono mai

Applications close at midnight on Wednesday, 18 November 2026.

Click here to view the position description. Please follow the online process on the Ministry of Health careers website and upload a CV and cover letter with your application. For questions, email recruitment@health.govt.nz.