Job Description

Type: Secondment/Fixed term to June 2026
Hours Full time
Location: Wellington
Business Group: Strategy
Branch: Digital Services

Mō te tīma | About our team

On Tuesday 16 December 2025, the Government announced it will take the next steps in its plan to modernise and streamline digital services for New Zealanders. This includes the establishment of a new Government Digital Delivery Agency at the Public Service Commission (the Commission), with the existing Digital Government Programme transitioning from Internal Affairs to the Commission. Details of the announcement are available here: Public service digital transformation accelerates | Beehive.govt.nz

The Digital Government Programme is leading a once-in-a-generation transformation of how government invests in and delivers digital services. This programme is driving system-wide change to create a modern, connected, and cost-effective digital public service for New Zealand. Our work focuses on collaboration, shared platforms, and standards that deliver better outcomes for people and value for taxpayers.

He angitūtanga | About the role

This is a senior strategic role at the heart of a Cabinet-mandated transformation to modernise government digital services and drive down costs. As Strategic Programme Advisor, you will provide high-level insight and evidence-based recommendations that shape programme direction and system-wide priorities.

You’ll take a holistic view of the Digital Government programme, identifying patterns, risks, and opportunities across workstreams. Working closely with the Programme Director and senior leaders, you will influence decisions that accelerate adoption of shared platforms, eliminate duplication, and deliver efficiencies across the public service - creating a modern, connected, and cost-effective digital system that puts people first.

In this varied role you will;

• Act as a trusted advisor and thought partner to the Programme Director, providing synthesis, strategic insight and evidence-based recommendations on programme direction and sequencing.
• Identify patterns, themes, and emerging issues across workstreams to inform system-level decisions and mitigate delivery risk.
• Challenge assumptions constructively and surface issues that may impact Cabinet deliverables or system-wide outcomes.
• Support strategic conversations with governance bodies, preparing concise, evidence-based materials and briefings that enable informed decision-making.
• Take a holistic view of dependencies and integration, ensuring alignment to the Digital Government Target State and reducing duplication of effort.
• Provide insight on where significant risks and opportunities lie, including cost reduction and efficiency gains, and influence prioritisation accordingly.
• Lead or contribute to cross-functional initiatives that address emerging issues or unlock system-wide benefits.
• Help drive implementation of the digitising government strategy, working across groups and agencies to embed new models for digital investment and service delivery.
• Navigate the machinery of government effectively, leveraging deep public sector knowledge to offer joined-up advice and influence decisions across agencies and governance forums.

He kōrero mōu | About you

You’re a strategic thinker with exceptional stakeholder management skills and a strong track record of delivering results in dynamic and fast-paced environments. You remain focused and effective under pressure, demonstrating composure and clarity even when faced with competing priorities or unexpected challenges.

To deliver in this role you will have;

• Proven experience providing high-level strategic advice and shaping system-wide priorities in large-scale digital or ICT programmes.
• Experience advising on complex digital transformation or multi-agency programmes, integrating strategic, policy and delivery perspectives.
• Ability to navigate the machinery of government and offer joined-up advice that influences decisions across agencies and governance forums.
• Strong analytical and conceptual thinking skills, able to identify patterns, evaluate risk, and translate insights into actionable recommendations.
• Knowledge of emerging digital technologies and their application to transformative change.
• Excellent collaboration and influencing skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships at senior levels.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, able to craft concise, compelling advice for decision-makers.

New Zealand, like many countries, is navigating big challenges: a tight fiscal environment, rapid advances in digital technology and AI, and rising expectations from citizens for smarter, faster, and more connected services.

This is your opportunity to be part of a bold transformation that will reshape how government works for everyone. Your mahi will make a real difference - delivering efficiencies, unlocking innovation, and creating a digital public service that puts people first.

Ready to lead change that matters? Apply online today and help shape the future of government for all New Zealanders.

Applications close: 5pm, 15 January 2025.
For more information please contact Meredith Edwards, Recruitment Lead Meredith.Edwards@dia.govt.nz
To review the full job description, please click here.

At the Department of Internal Affairs, the work we do makes New Zealand a better place for those born here, and those new New Zealanders who have chosen to call this country home.