Principal Advisor

• Wellington based | 12-month fixed-term | Full time
• Salary midpoint: $145,198, dependant on experience
• Lead strategic policy and initiatives to reduce alcohol-related harm

What you’ll do – Ko tōu ake mahi

The Alcohol Harm Reduction team sits within the Public Health Agency and Mental Health Group, which leads advice to the Government on public health and mental health matters. This Principal Advisor role provides strategic leadership across alcohol harm reduction and wider public health strategy and policy priorities.

Make a meaningful impact on public health and wellbeing across Aotearoa New Zealand. In this influential role, you’ll lead complex alcohol harm reduction initiatives from design through to delivery, provide high-quality strategic and Ministerial advice, and build strong relationships across the health sector and government. Approximately half of the role will focus on the Alcohol Harm Reduction Programme, while the remainder will provide Principal Advisor-level leadership on priority and cross-cutting work across the Public Health Agency.

• Lead the strategic commissioning, procurement and project management of priority alcohol harm reduction initiatives, including key contractual and inter-agency relationships.
• Provide strategic leadership and high-quality policy advice on complex public health issues, including advice for Ministers and senior decision-makers.
• Lead collaboration across government agencies, Health New Zealand, the wider Ministry and other stakeholders to support aligned and effective public health responses.
• Lead and contribute to high-priority public health strategy and policy initiatives, helping shape responses to emerging and cross-cutting priorities.

What you’ll bring – Ko ngā pūkenga ōu

• Demonstrated experience in strategic commissioning, procurement and contract relationship management, including taking complex initiatives from design through to delivery.
• Strong project management capability, with experience leading complex initiatives across multiple stakeholders and organisations
• Proven ability to provide high-quality strategic and policy advice on complex issues, including advice for Ministers and senior decision-makers.
• Strong relationship and influencing skills, with experience working across agencies and developing collaborative arrangements to support delivery, data, monitoring and evaluation.
• Experience working in central government, together with political awareness, sound risk management skills and a commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and improving equity in health outcomes.

About the Ministry

As the Government's lead advisor on health, we help shape the future of New Zealand's health system through policy, regulation and monitoring. Join a team that makes a real difference to the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders while working in a supportive, inclusive environment that values wellbeing, growth and development.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are committed to an accessible and respectful recruitment process.

How to apply – Me pēhea te tono mai

Applications close at midnight on Tuesday, 24 November 2026.

Click here to view the position description. Please follow the online process on the Ministry of Health careers website and upload a CV and cover letter with your application. For questions, email recruitment@health.govt.nz.

We are reviewing applications as they are received, and interviews may take place during the advertising period. If we receive a high number of applications, the vacancy may close before the advertised closing date.