Principal Advisor DGA

Wellington based | Full-time 12-month fixed term opportunity. Midpoint of $145,198 depending on experience. What you’ll do Support the Director-General on complex, high‑priority matters, providing senior independent second‑opinion advice. Ensure a clear line of sight across system performance, risks and delivery and maintain a high degree of autonomy, credibility and influence in a fast‑paced, politically sensitive environment. Operate across policy, regulation, monitoring and corporate functions, using strong judgement, insight and synthesis to test advice, identify misalignment and keep priority matters progressing in line with intent. Provide senior, independent advice on the quality, coherence and risks of advice and delivery and maintain oversight of priority issues, risks and commitments, supporting clarity of ownership and follow‑through. Identify cross‑cutting and emerging risks or opportunities and support early escalation where needed. Deliver clear, system‑level synthesis and insight, connecting information across multiple domains. Support the Director‑General to make timely, well‑informed decisions, including shaping and testing key material. Strengthen internal governance by supporting clarity of roles, escalation pathways and decision‑making processes. Engage credibly with senior stakeholders, including Crown entities, providing constructive challenge and insight. Provide support and oversight to junior team members on a day‑to‑day basis to lift capability and strengthen practices. What you’ll bring Proven experience providing high‑quality advice at a senior level in policy, monitoring, regulatory or corporate contexts. Demonstrated ability to operate at a system level, connecting across functions and understanding interdependencies. Strong critical thinking and judgement, with the ability to test assumptions and provide robust second‑opinion advice. Experience advising Ministers or senior leaders on complex, sensitive issues with system‑level impact. Excellent relationship management and influencing skills, with strong political awareness. Proven ability to build and maintain effective working relationships across diverse stakeholders. Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas clearly and concisely. What we bring Personal and professional growth opportunities. Work‑life balance and well‑being support with comprehensive resources to keep you thriving. An inclusive, respectful environment that values diverse perspectives. Support for accessibility throughout the recruitment process. #J-18808-Ljbffr