About this role
<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>Mō te tūnga | About the role:</b></H2> </div><div><p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">We have 2 Senior Advisor positions in our New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) team available:</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">1 x fixed term until 30 June 2027 </span></p> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">1 x permanent </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">As Senior Advisor NZSL, you will help strengthen the NZSL team’s capability to work effectively with government agencies and support implementation of the New Zealand Sign Language Strategy. A key focus of the role will be developing a practical framework for agency NZSL capability plans, including tools, guidance, monitoring, and reporting approaches. You will work alongside the team to support public sector engagement, identify gaps and priorities, and help agencies take clear, practical action to improve access, outcomes, and opportunities for Deaf people and NZSL users. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">Key responsibilities include: </span></p> <ul> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">Develop and help embed a practical framework for agency NZSL capability plans. </span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">Support government agencies to understand their responsibilities under the NZSL Strategy and identify actions to improve NZSL access. </span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">Lead or support public sector engagement, including meetings, guidance, advice, and follow-up with agencies. </span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">Develop tools, templates, and guidance to support consistent agency capability planning. </span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">Strengthen the NZSL team’s capability to work confidently and effectively with government agencies. </span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">Support monitoring and reporting on agency progress, gaps, risks, and business plan priorities. </span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">Provide policy advice and contribute to cross-government work that supports implementation of the NZSL Strategy. </span></li> <li style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif"><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">Maintain an up-to-date understanding of issues affecting Deaf people, NZSL users, and the wider disability sector. </span></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>Mōu | About you:</b></H2> </div><div><div> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif"><span>NZSL knowledge is not essential, but it would be an advantage. You will have an interest in NZSL and in learning about Deaf communities, the Deaf world, and the experiences of disabled people and their whānau.</span><span> </span></span></p> <p> </p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif"><span>You will bring strong analytical, writing, organisational, and communication skills. You will be proactive, use sound judgement, and be confident working with people across Whaikaha, government, and community sectors.</span><span> </span></span></p> <p> </p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif"><span>Experience in monitoring, governance, secretariat support, or providing advice to Boards or committees would be useful.</span><span> </span></span></p> <p> </p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif"><span>You will be able to build and maintain effective relationships with Deaf and disabled people, disability sector organisations, Māori, Pacific and ethnic communities, and relevant international groups.</span><span> </span></span></p> <p> </p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">To succeed in this role, you will be a Deaf or disabled person or be able to build credibility and trust with the disability community. You will bring empathy and a strong understanding of the diverse experiences of disabled people.</span></p> <p> </p> </div></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>He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga | Position Description: </b></H2> </div><div><p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif"><span>The job description, NZSL video translation of job advert and application process can be found here: </span><a href="https://www.whaikaha.govt.nz/about-us/get-involved/work-with-us" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span>Work with us | Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled People</span></a><span> </span> </span></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: $103,767 - $125,899</b></H2> </div><div></div></div></div><h2> </h2> <h2><strong><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">Mō mātou | About us:</span></strong></h2> <p> </p> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">At Whaikaha, we want an Aotearoa New Zealand where Deaf and disabled people and tāngata whaikaha Māori are thriving. </span></p> <p> </p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">As a Ministry we are dedicated to this goal, working with government, businesses, and communities to drive real change. </span></p> <p> </p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">We do this by investing in disability communities, providing strategic and policy advice across government, monitoring how well services are working, and identifying new, exciting opportunities to make a difference. </span></p> <p> </p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">We care about the wellbeing and success of our people and provide a supportive and inclusive environment. </span></p> <p> </p> </div> <h2><br><strong><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">Ka Kati Ngā Tono hei te | Applications Close: Sunday, 2 August 2026</span></strong><br><br></h2> <p> </p> <h2><strong><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply: </span></strong></h2> <p> </p> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">Click the 'Apply' button to complete the online form, or let’s kōrero about what you need to feel supported in your application. For example, you may prefer to use video instead of a traditional CV and cover letter, or you might want whānau or a friend to tell us about you. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">Alternate formats are available upon request. </span></p> <p> </p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">Contact us about the best way for you to apply by emailing: </span><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif"><a href="mailto:[email protected]" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">[email protected]</a>. </span></p> <p> </p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-family:verdana, geneva, sans-serif">If you work for Whaikaha please apply through the myHR portal so that your employee profile is visible as an internal candidate. If you work for MSD, please apply as an external candidate as only Whaikaha employees are considered internal candidates.</span></p> </div>