Job Description

Why work for us? At the TEC, you'll be part of a team committed to shaping a dynamic tertiary education system that delivers lifelong learning and supports strong outcomes for learners, whānau, communities, and employers. You'll join an organisation guided by public service values, united by a spirit of service, and dedicated to deepening partnerships with Māori in line with Te Tiriti o Waitangi. You'll work alongside passionate, high-performing colleagues in a supportive environment that values collaboration, cultural capability, and continuous learning. Here, your expertise will help influence system change, strengthen relationships across Aotearoa/New Zealand and contribute to better futures for all learners.

We're looking for an energetic and savvy Senior Advisor to join our Ministerial Work Programme team in a full-time fixed-term role through to December 2026. This is a unique opportunity to play a key role in shaping the future of work‑based learning in Aotearoa.

As Senior Advisor, you'll work across the workstreams of the Redesign Implementation Project, providing strategic and operational advice that advances the direction and success of the vocational education reform programme. You'll help drive the design and implementation of the new provider‑led network of work‑based learning and enable the transition from the current system to this new model.

If you enjoy complex, meaningful work in a highly collaborative environment—and you're motivated by the chance to shape a major national reform—this is the role for you.

About the Role: He angitūtanga: 

• Strategic advice Deliver proactive or on‑demand high‑quality written and verbal advice to decision makers, including TEC Board, Executive Leadership, Steering/Governance groups and industry‑sector stakeholders.
• Cross‑agency engagement. Respond to queries from partner departments, collaborate with Ministry of Education, NZQA and others.
• Industry engagement. Prepare engagement materials and support discussions with industry associations and employers. Gather, analyse and present sector insights. Support TEC senior staff in sector forums.
• Stakeholder management Enable the team to build and maintain relationships with TEOs, ISB Establishment Unit, Ministry/NZQA project teams.

What are we looking for? He kōrero mōu:

• Proven knowledge of tertiary and vocational education systems (especially work-based learning), funding and operations.
• Experience with industry partners in vocational learning.
• Strong communication, organisational, analytical and risk‑management skills.
• Strong relationship‑building and stakeholder engagement capability.
• Able to operate under pressure, manage ambiguity and adapt to change.
• Clear, concise writing skills and ability to craft strategic advice.

What's in it for you? Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou: 

• The opportunity to work in a high-performing team, in an area of high priority that is important to the success of the tertiary education system.
• Three additional (TEC Days) leave days
• A range of benefits including flexible/hybrid working.

Remuneration

The recruitment range for the position starts from $93,327 up to $109,797, + Kiwisaver contributions. Placement in range is dependent on demonstrable skills and experience.

How to Apply: Me pēhea te tuku tono: 

To view the role description and/or apply for this role, please click Apply for This Job, or visit the TEC Careers Portal. We request both a tailored cover letter and CV.

The closing date for this role is, 11:59pm Thursday 30 April 2026. For more information or if you have any questions, please contact hr@tec.govt.nz.

Applicants must have NZ citizenship or permanent residency to be considered for this vacancy. If you hold a permanent residency visa, please provide a copy with your application.

Prior to the Tertiary Education Commission confirming any offer of employment, we will conduct pre-employment checks including criminal conviction history and reference checking as a minimum.