About this role
<p> </p> <ul> <li>Support disabled people and whānau to create possibilities and make decisions about their lives.</li> <li>Build strong relationships and connect people to funded and unfunded supports that enable good lives.</li> <li>Permanent role based in Palmerston North</li> </ul> <p> </p> <p>Play a key role in the Enabling Good Lives (EGL) approach by working alongside disabled people and whānau to realise aspirations, make decisions, and live their good lives.</p><div><div style="padding:10.0px 0.0px;border:1.0px solid transparent"><div style="font-size:18.0px;word-wrap:break-word"><H2 style="font-size:1.0em;margin:0.0px"><b>About our team | Mō te tīma</b></H2> </div><div><p> </p> <p>The Disability Support Services (DSS) Group is responsible for commissioning, funding, and stewarding high-quality services that support disabled people, their families, and whānau.</p> <p> </p> <p>We’re building leadership and management capacity across our teams to deliver both change and business-as-usual effectively.</p> <p> </p> <p>We work closely with providers, stakeholders, and communities to ensure services are fair, consistent, transparent and sustainable. With a strong focus on performance monitoring, data, and insights, we’re committed to continuous improvement and evidence-based decision-making.</p> <p> </p> <p>It’s an exciting time to join DSS as we strengthen our systems and expand our capabilities.</p> <p> </p> <p>We’re looking for passionate people to help us achieve our goals and make a meaningful impact.</p></div></div><div style="padding:10.0px 0.0px;border:1.0px solid transparent"><div style="font-size:18.0px;word-wrap:break-word"><H2 style="font-size:1.0em;margin:0.0px"><b>About the role | Mō te tūnga</b></H2> </div><div><p> </p> <p>As a Kaitūhono Connector, you’ll work in homes, schools, and communities to proactively develop strong relationships with disabled people and whānau.</p> <p> </p> <p>You’ll partner with them to identify options, create possibilities, and connect to supports that enable them to achieve outcomes that matter most.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Key responsibilities include:</strong></p> <p> </p> <ul> <li>Establish respectful, trusting relationships with disabled people and whānau.</li> <li>Listen to aspirations and help identify creative options and opportunities.</li> <li>Connect people to funded and unfunded supports and community resources.</li> <li>Support people to understand funding processes and self-manage budgets.</li> <li>Maintain accurate records and manage a complex caseload using EGL systems.</li> <li>Build collaborative relationships with providers, agencies, and stakeholders.</li> </ul> <p> </p> <p>This role is located in Palmerston North and remote work is not possible for this role.</p> <p> </p> <p>To find out more about the Enabling Good Lives approach please visit <a href="https://www.enablinggoodlives.co.nz/">https://www.enablinggoodlives.co.nz/</a> </p> <p> </p> <p>We value diversity and welcome applications from disabled people and those who have lived experience with whānau, or the disability community.</p> <p> </p> <p>Please contact us if there is any support that we can provide to ensure the recruitment process is accessible to you. </p></div></div><div style="padding:10.0px 0.0px;border:1.0px solid transparent"><div style="font-size:18.0px;word-wrap:break-word"><H2 style="font-size:1.0em;margin:0.0px"><b>What you bring | Ōu pūmanawatanga</b></H2> </div><div><p> </p> <ul> <li>Deep understanding of the Enabling Good Lives vision and principles.</li> <li>Experience supporting people to think creatively about life opportunities.</li> <li>Strong connections to, and knowledge of, local communities and resources.</li> <li>Ability to engage effectively with Māori and Pacific families and communities.</li> <li>Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with resilience and adaptability.</li> <li>Strong planning, organisational, and problem-solving skills.</li> <li>Ability to manage sensitive information with integrity and discretion.</li> <li>Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and equity principles.</li> <li>Resilience, adaptability, and a strong client focus.</li> </ul></div></div><div style="padding:10.0px 0.0px;border:1.0px solid transparent"><div style="font-size:18.0px;word-wrap:break-word"><H2 style="font-size:1.0em;margin:0.0px"><b>Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga</b></H2> </div><div><p> </p> <p>A copy of the position description can be found here. <a title="" href="https://www.msd.govt.nz/hr/documents/position-descriptions/disability-support-services/connector-kaituhono.docx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Connector position description.</a></p></div></div><div style="padding:10.0px 0.0px;border:1.0px solid transparent"><div style="font-size:18.0px;word-wrap:break-word"><H2 style="font-size:1.0em;margin:0.0px"><b>Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $79,200.00 - $95,873.00</b></H2> </div><div></div></div></div><p> </p> <h3><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><strong>Applications close | Ka kati ngā tono hei te: </strong></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><strong>Wednesday 22 July 2026.</strong></span></h3> <p> </p> <p> </p> <h3><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><strong>About us | Mō mātou</strong></span></h3> <p> </p> <p>The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) is a people-centred organisation. We’re in communities across the motu, working with partners to help New Zealanders be safe, strong and independent.</p> <p> </p> <p>We provide social policy advice to government, and assistance including income, employment and housing support to people of all ages, families, whānau and communities.</p> <p> </p> <p>As a Te Tiriti o Waitangi partner, we are committed to supporting and enabling Māori, whānau, hapū, Iwi and communities to realise their own potential and aspirations.</p> <p> </p> <p>Our people are as diverse as the communities we serve. We care about the wellbeing and success of our people and provide a supportive and inclusive working environment where people can thrive and be who they are.</p> <p> </p> <h3><strong>How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono</strong></h3> <p> </p> <p>Before you submit your application, please take a moment to review our guidance to understand how AI can best support your application. <a href="https://www.msd.govt.nz/hr/documents/position-descriptions/dce-people-and-capability/people/candidate-guidance-responsible-ai-use-in-recruitment.docx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Candidate Guidance - Responsible AI use in recruitment</a></p> <p> </p> <p>To apply, click the 'Apply Now' button to upload your CV, cover letter and complete the online application form.</p> <p> </p> <p>Note: Your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process. Please highlight how your skills and experience relate to the key responsibilities listed in the position description and job advertisement.</p> <p> </p> <p>All applications must be made online. If this is not possible or if you have any queries, please contact us at <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a></p> <p> </p> <p>Internal MSD Employees – please apply through your myHR portal at work. This will ensure that your myHR employee profile is visible as internal candidate.</p> <p> </p> <h3><strong>Joining us | Ko te hono mai</strong></h3> <p> </p> <p>Joining MSD means being part of a whānau that celebrates the diversity each individual represents.</p> <p> </p> <p>We show manaaki, we care about the wellbeing and success of people and want everyone to thrive and be who they are in a supportive and inclusive working environment. We work together to make a difference for communities while doing the right thing with integrity. You can find out more about our values <a href="https://jobs.msd.govt.nz/MSD">here.</a></p> <p> </p> <p>If you have any support or accessibility requirements, we encourage you to tell us when you apply so we can assist you through the recruitment process.</p>