Principal Advisor - Digital | Wellington

Job Description

This role is a fixed term position in response to increased demand within our high priority work programmes. We are surging in people and resources in response to these priorities.

Mō te tūranga mahi | About the role  

We're seeking a Principal Advisor – Digital to provide senior thought leadership and technical advice across a once‑in‑a‑generation system transformation, NZ's new Planning System. This is a pivotal role working closely with the Chief Digital Officer (CDO) to shape, test and land advice that enables modern, integrated and user‑centred digital platforms across a complex, multi‑agency environment. You see technology as a key enabler and will be a strong advocate for the end user, the people who will engage and use this new system. This is a fixed term position to 11 December 2026.

You will operate as a trusted advisor, helping ensure digital initiatives are coherent, scalable, secure and aligned with government direction, while supporting delivery that is practical, inclusive and capable of adoption at scale.

What you'll do

• Provide future‑focused, evidence‑based digital advice to senior leaders, supporting the CDO to advance system‑level digital strategy and delivery 

• Contribute to the design and assurance of national digital platforms and services, ensuring alignment with enterprise architecture, all‑of‑government standards and GCDO expectations 

• Translate complex technical concepts into clear, decision‑ready advice for senior decision‑makers

• Support effective engagement across central and local government, iwi/Māori, technology partners and the wider sector to enable coordinated digital outcomes 

• Coach and uplift digital capability and quality practice across teams and work programmes, including through peer review and assurance networks

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience   

What you'll bring;

• Significant experience delivering or advising on large‑scale, complex digital initiatives, ideally across multi‑agency or system‑wide environments 

• A human centred focus with deep expertise in digital platforms, user and service design, enterprise architecture, agile delivery and/or digital governance 

• Proven ability to produce high‑quality written advice and influence senior leaders in complex and ambiguous contexts

• Strong relationship‑building skills, with the credibility to engage confidently with technical specialists, policy leaders and executives

• Demonstrated capability to embed Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Te Ao Māori perspectives into digital design and delivery

Agility, sound judgement and the ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining quality and momentum

Whānuitanga Utu ā-Tau | Salary range  

Salary range for this role is $142,185 to $172,853 pa.  Appointment within this range will be based on skills and experience.  

Ngā hua ka puta i te mahi ki MfE | Benefits of working at MfE  

• a flexible working approach to embrace a healthy work-life blend 
• agile ways of working, allowing you variety and challenges across the organisation as we work as ‘One MfE' 
• active employee networks including Māori Rōpū, Asian Network, Neurodivergent and Disability Networks, Women's Network, Tagata Moana (Pacific Peoples' Network), and Rainbow Network 
• opportunities for development and education.           

Check out other benefits of joining us and hear what our people say about Working at MfE | Ministry for the Environment.  

Tono ināianei | Apply now  

Apply directly by completing the online application form and submit your CV and cover letter.  Note: your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the key skills required for this role.     

If you require further information about this position please contact Sally Morison via email sally.morison@mfe.govt.nz.  The position description is available via our careers centre www.mfe.govt.nz/jobs.  

The location for this role is flexible which means you can work anywhere in New Zealand and there is an option to work from home.  As a flexible friendly employer, we are happy to discuss solutions that may work for you and the business.  We value and care about enabling our people to work in a way that means they can work at their best.   

We are committed to providing equal opportunities and actively strive to be a diverse organisation with an inclusive culture.  We actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply.  We are proud to be a Rainbow Tick and Gender Tick certified organisation and are committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for everyone.   

We want to ensure any accessibility needs you may have are well supported, so the recruitment process is fair and equitable for all.  Therefore, please let us know if there are any adjustments or support we can offer to make the recruitment process more accessible to you.  Please contact us at vacancy@mfe.govt.nz if you would like to discuss any accessibility needs you may have.  

You must have the right to live and work in New Zealand to apply for this role.  

Note: for internal permanent kaimahi who are applying for a secondment, you must speak with your Manager before submitting your application.

Rā Katinga | Applications close:   Sunday 8th March @ 5pm