Senior Advisor - Strategy & Business Planning

Senior Advisor - Strategy & Business Planning Fixed term/secondment opportunity to 22 January 2027 Wellington-based role on The Terrace. Mō mātou | About us Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children has a commitment to putting tamariki and rangatahi at the heart of what we do. In our work, we aim to demonstrate these values: We put Tamariki first We believe Aroha is vital We respect the Mana of people We are Tika and Pono We value Whakapapa We recognise that Oranga is a journey We are committed to ensuring that New Zealand is the best place in the world to be a child. We are also committed to ensuring Oranga Tamariki partners with hapū, iwi and Māori organisations to find appropriate solutions for tamariki in need. Mō te tūnga | About the role At Oranga Tamariki – Ministry for Children, our purpose is clear: to ensure all tamariki are safe, loved and nurtured by whānau, hapū and iwi, supported by thriving communities. We are looking for a Senior Advisor – Strategy and Business Planning on a fixed term/secondment basis to help shape how we turn strategy into action and improve outcomes across the system during a key period of mahi. This is a senior practitioner role for someone who enjoys working at the intersection of strategy, planning and performance in a complex public sector environment. As a Senior Advisor, you will operate with a high degree of autonomy and professional judgement to translate strategic intent into practical plans, priorities and performance insights. You’ll lead defined components of the Ministry’s strategy and business planning work, provide trusted advice to senior leaders, and help ensure our strategic direction is coherent, actionable and monitored over time. You’ll work closely with the Manager Strategy, Planning and Performance, Principal Advisors, and leaders across Oranga Tamariki to: Lead and deliver key components of organisational strategy and strategic frameworks. Play a senior role in whole‑of‑organisation business and delivery planning processes. Provide expert advice on investment planning, prioritisation and strategic trade‑offs. Contribute to performance and monitoring frameworks that track progress against strategic intent. Develop strategic narratives and accountability products that support clarity, alignment and transformation. Build effective relationships across the Ministry and with system partners to enable delivery and improvement. Your work will directly support better decision‑making and stronger outcomes for tamariki, rangatahi and whānau. Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu | What you will bring You’ll be an experienced strategy or planning practitioner who is comfortable operating in ambiguity and influencing without formal authority. You will bring: Significant experience in strategy, planning, performance or senior advisory roles within complex organisations, ideally in the public sector or system‑level environments. Demonstrated experience contributing to, or leading components of, organisation‑wide strategy development and implementation. Strong experience translating strategy into business plans, delivery priorities, performance frameworks and accountability reporting. The ability to apply sound judgement to frame choices, trade‑offs and implications for senior decision‑makers. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with confidence engaging senior leaders and facilitating strategic conversations. Demonstrated cultural competence and a genuine commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, including the ability to integrate Māori perspectives into strategy, planning and performance work. A relevant tertiary qualification in strategy, public management, economics, business, policy or a related field (or equivalent experience). Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you In this role, you’ll be part of a collegiate, high‑trust team that values: Thoughtful, evidence‑based strategy Professional judgement and constructive challenge Collaboration across disciplines and the wider system Ongoing learning and capability development If you’re motivated by purpose, enjoy shaping how organisations deliver on their strategy, and want to contribute your skills where they truly matter, we’d love to hear from you. Annual remuneration for this position starts between $106,416 and $117,782 dependant on experience, pro‑rated for the duration of this opportunity. We also offer a vibrant and supportive team, flexible work options and a genuine commitment to wellbeing. We offer significant training and professional development so that you can thrive and grow. We welcome diversity and are committed to working in an inclusive and respectful way. #J-18808-Ljbffr