Senior Advisor

• Influential advisory role supporting Youth Justice, Residential Services
• Auckland or wellington based preferred
• Permanent role

This is an opportunity to work at the heart of youth justice residential services, providing high-quality advice and support to enable safe, effective and responsive services for tamariki and rangatahi.

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

The purpose of this role is to contribute to the development of youth justice practice models, systems and programmes that are evidence based, innovative, practical and have a direct relationship with contributing to the Government’s and Ministry’s youth justice goals and outcomes. The Senior Advisor will champion service consistency and excellence throughout Oranga Tamariki in youth justice, monitor youth justice processes and practices to identify and promote opportunities for improvement and lead the development of youth justice issues and practice development opportunities. Working with Youth Justice and Oranga Tamariki staff and external agencies such as Police, Corrections, Courts, the judiciary and other key stakeholders will be a major component of this role.

Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu | What you will bring

Key requirements of the role include:

• Experience working in an operational agency.
• Knowledge of the Government’s goals and the Ministry’s outcomes sought in the area of youth justice, and demonstrated ability to describe Oranga Tamariki’s delivery of youth justice services.
• A good level of general and/or technical knowledge of New Zealand’s Youth Justice system.
• A good level of knowledge and experience in the process of developing innovative and creative practice, systems (including operating procedures) and programmes.
• Experience working in regulatory, youth justice, or custodial settings would be advantageous
• An understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi and its implications for practice and programme development and implementation.
• A demonstrated ability to work in collaborative peer and other stakeholder relationships.
• Experience in project management and change would be advantageous
• Successful experience in presenting practice or programme advice to senior Managers and/or other Government officials.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, which includes a demonstrated ability to present complex issues clearly and concisely that are well researched and evidence based, flow logically, and ensure that the key issues or supporting information is provided to assist with decision making by a wide variety of audiences.
• The ability to motivate and mentor teams and/or individual team members.

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you

Oranga Tamariki offer a step-based remuneration package, that offers progression annually for experience through tenure. Annual remuneration for this position starts between $106,416 and $117,782 dependant on experience.

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. This is your opportunity to apply your skills and experience to the wellbeing of tamariki and rangatahi.

To see all the benefits of working for Oranga Tamariki, please visit

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to Apply

Apply online with your CV and cover letter that tells us about your motivation, and the skills and experience you bring. If you are an Oranga Tamariki employee already, please ensure you apply with a log in using your Oranga Tamariki email address. If you have any questions about role, please contact

Applications for this role close at midnight on Thursday 25th June 2026

However, we will be reviewing applications and inviting candidates to interview prior to this date, so apply now!

If you are interested in any of our vacancies, please ensure that you make yourself familiar with our code of conduct as it sets out our expectations for our kaimahi and requires you to present at work free from the influences of both drugs and alcohol.