About us The Ministry of Social Development is a people-centred organisation. We're in communities across the motu, working with partners to help New Zealanders be safe, strong and independent. We provide social policy and advice to government and assistance, including income, employment and housing support to people of all ages, families, whanau and communities. As a Te Tiriti o Waitangi partner we are committed to supporting and enabling Maori, whanau, hapu, Iwi and communities to realise their own potential and aspirations. Our people are as diverse as the communities we serve. We care about the wellbeing and success of our people and provide a supportive and inclusive working environment where people can thrive and be who they are. Principal Advisor - Ministry of Youth Development * Enjoyable and rewarding work environment * Wellington * Fixed term / secondment to May 2025 (back-filling for a staff member on Secondment) Superb Opportunity within the Ministry of Youth Development! In 2020, the Ministry of Youth Development – Te Manatu Whakahiato Taiohi, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, launched the Akonga Youth Development Community Fund –Strengthening Akonga Resilience to Achieve Better Education Outcomes (the Fund). The Fund has been extended to 31 December 2025. The Fund aims to support akonga/learners (aged 12 to 21 years) with moderate levels of need to strengthen their resilience, stay engaged in their education journey, and achieve better pathways for success. Akonga/learners are supported through youth development programmes delivered by community-based youth development providers that focus on strengthening akonga connections with their whanau and wider community to help support their education journey. Te ahua o te turanga / About the role We are seeking a Principal Advisor to support the Programme Manager. This position will provide high level strategic, technical, and analytical advice to ensure the delivery of services for young people using a positive youth development approach/best practice. Nga pukenga me nga wheako / Skills and experience Key skills for this position are: * An excellent understanding of the machinery of government and experience working across ministries * Ability to analyse and synthesise data into easily digestible reports * Excellent writing skills, attention to detail, and a proven history of meeting tight timeframes/deadlines * Comprehensive knowledge and experience of youth development best practice including research, evidence and relevant data * Knowledge of the New Zealand education system and sector * Highly developed analytical, problem-solving and communication skills * An excellent understanding of policy implementation and evidence of leading a national level programme/project that aligns with youth development best practice * Project and contract management experience, including contract monitoring and reporting * Relationship management with internal and external stakeholders and Ministers This is an exciting time to be involved in this key programme of work. Personal attributes for this position require those with an eye for the big picture but also attention to detail. Position Description https://www.msd.govt.nz/hr/documents/position-descriptions/dce-maori-communities-and-partnerships/ministry-of-youth-development-and-youth-services/principal-advisor.docx Salary range: $141,109.00 - $175,603.00 How to apply To apply, click the 'Apply Now' button to upload your CV, cover letter and complete the online application form. Note: Your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the key responsibilities listed in the position description. All applications must be made online. If this is not possible or if you have any queries, please contact us at ****** Internal MSD Employees – please apply through your myHR portal at work. This will ensure that your myHR employee profile is visible as internal candidate. Closing date: Sunday 28 April Joining us Joining MSD means being part of a whanau that celebrates the diversity each individual represents. We show manaaki, we care about the wellbeing and success of people and want everyone to thrive, and be who they are in a supportive and inclusive working environment. We work together to make a difference for communities while doing the right thing with integrity. We are a Treaty partner committed to strengthening relationships with Maori, Hapu, Iwi and communities to realise their own potential and aspirations. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to tell us when you apply so we can assist you through the recruitment process. MSD has a COVID-19 vaccination policy that encourages, but does not require, employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and its variants, unless the role is identified as requiring vaccination at the time.