Lead Strategic Advisor, Historic Claims - Wellington (Fixed Term or Secondment to June 2026) at Ministry of Social Development, Wellington - Wairarapa About MSD
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.
Lead Strategic Advisor
Fixed Term or Secondment to June 2026
Wellington CBD based
About Historic Claims
Historic Claims, on behalf of the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) provides an Alternative Disputes Resolution Service (ADRS) to assist claimants who have raised allegations or concerns of abuse or neglect while in State care.
A key focus for Historic Claims is to ensure we deliver the best possible outcomes for claimants, and that they encounter mana manaaki (a positive experience every time) whenever they come into contact with us.
About the role
We're seeking a Lead Strategic Advisor who thrives on turning complex concerns into actionable insights that make a real difference to the lives of our Claimants. This role is crucial for enhancing our understanding of legally complex and technical Historic Claims, informing strategic decisions that impact the development of key policy decisions and outcomes that reduce barriers to redress for our clients.
You'll work closely with all teams in our Historic Claims unit and our legal partners providing strategic advice that drives our collective mission.
This role will be heavily focused on understanding complex claims or groups of claims, sharing your findings and advice with Management and the Leadership Team as well as external stakeholders in the private sector and government. It demands a blend of analytical prowess and creative thinking, ensuring potential risk is identified and managed and that all outcomes are communicated widely, fully understood, and able to be applied seamlessly by the areas/teams they affect.
About you
You'll be an experienced advisor who can commit to being an operational lead, assisting us to effectively implement, maintain and continue the Historic Claims strategy and work programme.
Our ideal candidate for this role will have:
An operational knowledge and understanding of the work Historic Claims does
Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, capable of working to tight deadlines
Strong communication skills with the ability to influence
Excellent presentation skills, able to simplify delivery to suit a variety of audiences
Experience leading projects and providing technical/legal knowledge and leadership
A working knowledge of the public sector environment
A strong understanding of policy and practice issues relevant to MSD's business
A tertiary qualification in a relevant discipline (e.g. Law) or equivalent operational experience
If you're excited about taking a pivotal role in supporting the Historic Claims unit then we'd love to hear from you.
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.
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.
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.
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