Rehabilitation Advisor

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Mō te tūnga | About the role

As a Rehabilitation Advisor you would support and manage a caseload of veterans of all ages with a diverse range of service-related conditions, particularly those veterans who find themselves needing support regarding their mental or physical well-being.

The key responsibilities of this role include:

• Making funding decisions to ensure best practice rehabilitation is achieved using evidence based knowledge and clinical experience.
• Liaising with rehabilitation providers and treatment professionals around the world to ensure optimal outcomes for our veteran community.
• Working with veterans and their whanau to develop personalised rehabilitation programmes which include vocational rehabilitation to support return to work opportunities, the provision of equipment or house modifications to support independence within the home, transport solutions to improve access to the community and more!

Following the veteran along the journey of wellbeing, supporting and modifying programs as required to help them achieve a successful and sustainable life as a civilian is very important.

You will need to be solution minded and consider out of the box rehabilitation ideas and work with providers to make this happen, sourcing culturally diverse treatment options to suit the requirements of the veteran and their whanau at every opportunity.

This is a fixed term position ending 30 June 2026. The role is based in the Reserve Bank Building, Wellington CBD. Once you have undergone training and are up to speed, there is the option of working from home up to two days a week.

It is advised to apply early to avoid disappointment, as this role may close ahead of time due to a high volume of applicants.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and Experience

You will be a registered Allied Health Practitioner or Registered Nurse who holds a current annual practicing certificate with their respective board. A minimum of 5 years work experience in allied health or nursing is essential, preferably in the rehabilitation field.

Ideally, you will also have:

• Experience working with community rehabilitation programs such as Te Whatu Ora, ACC or other private funders.
• Experience managing a caseload and working within a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience reviewing medical/rehabilitation reports and communicating this concisely to a mixed audience.
• Experience working with people experiencing mental health challenges and an understanding of the management of these conditions.

Ideally, you will have experience working with a diverse group of clients and are both committed to, and understand, the importance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Please note:

• If you are the preferred candidate post interview, you may be required to provide certified copies of your medical qualifications including your practicing/registration certificate and a statement of good standing.
• Some health roles require you to disclose your HBV, HCV and HIV status, to manage any risk of exposure. This will be requested for specific roles post interview.

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you

Your skills and dedication deserve recognition, and NZDF delivers with competitive pay matched to your experience. But that's just the beginning – safeguard your loved ones with a fully funded life cover of up to $300,000 and critical illness protection. Other benefits include discounted additional insurances, free will services and savings schemes for the Defence community. Get expert financial guidance and mortgage broker services. Find all our benefits and more on the Force 4 Families website.

NZDF champions diversity and inclusivity, valuing every member and fuelling their success. We embrace uniqueness, understanding that diverse teams drive creativity, innovation, and excellence. With an open door to all – irrespective of gender, ethnicity, ability, age, or family dynamics – NZDF offers a flexible, empowering work environment. Join us in shaping a brighter future, where everyone thrives.

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to Apply

Applications close on Thursday 19 June 2025.

Use the links on this page where you'll be directed to the Defence Careers website.

Please Note:

• All applications must be made online, via the Defence Careers website. Each listing contains the Position Description and a Contact Us option for any queries or technical issues.
• Your cover letter will be a key part of our selection process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the key activities outlined in the Advert and Position Description.
• Applicants will be required to undergo a pre-employment drug-screening test prior to any offer of employment being made.

NZDF Employees/Members – please apply internally via the HR Toolkit; this will ensure that you are visible as an internal candidate.

NZDF Contractors – please apply via the Defence Careers website.

NZDF Reserves – please apply via the Defence Careers website if you cannot access the HR Toolkit.

NZDF is currently undertaking a Workforce Savings Programme (WSP) to realise efficiencies and required enduring savings, in which NZDF has proposed some changes to the organisational structure of its civilian workforce. At this point in time this position is not proposed to be affected. We welcome your application for this important role and want to let you know that if the WSP is likely to impact on the role you are applying for, we will let you know at the earliest opportunity.

Please Note:

To be eligible for the required level of government security clearance with the NZ Defence Force, you need to meet certain citizenship and residency criteria. Here's what you need to know:

Low Level Security Clearance

• You must be a New Zealand citizen or you must hold New Zealand Permanent Residence or have a current New Zealand Residency Class Visa.
• At minimum, you must hold New Zealand Permanent Residence or have a current New Zealand Residency Class Visa, and you must be a citizen of and have lived in Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, United States of America or New Zealand continuously for the last five (5) years.
• You must have a five (5) year background history that can be verified and assessed appropriately by the NZ Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) to determine if you are suitable for a security clearance at this level.

If you do not meet the minimum criteria, unfortunately, your application will not be accepted. We do welcome your application at a time when you will meet the requirements.