Job Description
Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role
Type: Fixed Term
Hours: Full Time
Business Group: Policy and Stewardship Group
Branch: Policy and Te Tiriti
Salary: $151,040 - $187,961
Lead Strategic Advisor, Water Services Reform Programme (Policy and Te Tiriti Branch) - fixed term to 30 June 2026
Together, The Local Government (Preliminary Arrangements) Act 2024 and The Local Government (Water Services) Bill establish the settings for NZ's new water services system under The Government's Local Water Done Well Policy. The objectives of Local Water Done Well are to ensure water services are safe, reliable, environmentally resilient, customer responsive and delivered at the least cost to consumers and businesses.
Key components of Local Water Done Well:
- Fit-for-purpose service delivery models and financing tools
- Ensuring water services are financially sustainable
- Introducing greater central government oversight, economic and quality regulation.
About the role
We're looking for a dynamic and forward-thinking Lead Strategic Advisor to help shape and guide transformational change.
Reporting to the Director, Operation, the Lead Strategic Advisor will play a critical role in providing strategic advice and technical leadership across a range of functions contributing to the implementation of Local Water Done Well. The role will also support delivery across several functional areas, including corporate finance, ministerial servicing, council engagement, communications and media, and the development of a new assessment process for receiving water services delivery plans. It involves working across both internal and external stakeholders to support high-quality, coordinated implementation.
About you
- Experience providing high-quality advice in a senior strategic or advisory role within the public sector.
- Proven ability to lead or coordinate complex work programmes
- Experience working closely with central government and a sound understanding of local government, water reform, and the associated policy, regulatory, and legislative frameworks.
- Prior involvement in service delivery implementation, local government, or regulatory reform is desirable.
Applications close: 5pm, Friday 27th June 2025
For more information please contact: jess.vanhaarlem@dia.govt.nz
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