Role title: Principal Advisor

Starting: ASAP in January 2025

End date: 30 June 2025

Location: Wellington based

Job Reference Number - JA6320

 

About the role:

 

Our client is a central government agency looking for an experienced principal advisor to join a small project team working on a high-profile piece of work. The individual requires extensive public sector project management, policy, regulatory and operational experience.

 

The role will work closely with a project lead to assess options and approach for the potential transfer of a small public sector unit or entity out of a larger government agency so someone with similar experience working on a similar change project would be ideal. The chosen candidate will need to be dynamic and have the ability to think outside the box in a policy change context. Strong project management skills and hands-on writing skills with the ability to produce regular and effective briefings for the minister are essential as are excellent relationship management skills. Regulatory and operational experience will also be useful.

 

This is a fixed term contract opportunity starting ASAP in January 2025 until the end of June 2025. The role will be Wellington based and ideally full time but there might be some flexibility for the right candidate.

 

Key skills and experience required:

 

• Hands on principal advisor – experienced seniors may also be considered
• Solid strategic policy analysis skills with the ability to assess options and approach for change in a project context
• Strong hands-on writing skills with experience of writing effective and regular briefings for the minister are essential
• Experience working on a similar project involving removing a smaller organisation from a larger one would be ideal
• The role requires strong project management skills, someone who is dynamic, can think outside the box and is comfortable working in a fast-paced project change environment
• Any regulatory experience in an operational context would also be ideal as the project will be focussing on regulatory and operational change
• Good relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills are key with the ability to work in partnership with the minister’s office and with cross agency stakeholders
• Strong machinery of government and politically savvy
• A legal background or similar would be beneficial but not essential

 

What’s next:

If this sounds like you or you’d be keen to find out more please send an updated CV to James Atkin at info@thejohnsongroup.co.nz quoting job reference JA6320. Even if this role isn’t quite right but you’re experienced an experience principal advisor or analyst looking for their next opportunity then we’d still love to hear from you so please share an updated CV and we look forward to connecting with you in the new year.

Please note there might be delays in us coming back to you due to staff being on leave throughout January.