Senior Sector Advisor

Applications close Sunday 1 June 2025.

The Office of the Auditor-General | Te Mana Arotake (the Office) aims to improve trust and confidence in the public sector. The Auditor-General is the statutory auditor of all public organisations, playing a major part in ensuring that New Zealand’s public sector remains one of the most trusted in the world.

No other organisation, public or private, has the overview of the whole public sector that the Office of the Auditor-General has.

We’re looking for a Senior Sector Advisor to join our sector teams that are working to improve performance and accountability across central and local government.

Our Senior Sector Advisors are experts in and the key contact for a small portfolio of public organisations. You’ll need to be aware of the context your portfolio organisations operate in, and will be responsible for responding to a range of enquiries from appointed auditors, members of Parliament, public sector staff, and the public. You’ll also be a valuable contributor to our products and services, which may include briefs to Parliament’s select committees, sector reports, performance audits, and inquiries.

You’ll have a key role with managing process and information and, at times leading, collaboration across the Office. Your role in the team will require you to find solutions, build relationships, including with audit teams, and communicate with influence.

To succeed in this role, you’ll need:

  • a relevant tertiary qualification;
  • five to seven years’ relevant experience in a public sector or comparable private sector role;
  • an understanding of New Zealand’s system of government, the role of Parliament, and the role of the Auditor-General within the system (or the ability to quickly develop this understanding);
  • comfort with technical and audit- or data-driven processes, and experience encompassing public, financial or performance management; and
  • demonstrated experience finding solutions and working successfully in a collaborative environment.

We offer our staff

  • Learning and development opportunities.
  • Supportive, flexible working.
  • Health and well-being benefits.
  • A unique operating environment with Parliament.

What we stand for

People matter | Our independence is critical | We act with integrity and courage | We're here to make a difference

We have a diverse and inclusive team that helps us to understand the issues facing the public sector and how these affect the lives of New Zealanders. We strongly welcome applicants from all backgrounds. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to tell us when you apply so that we can assist you through the recruitment process.

You must be able to gain and maintain a Confidential national security clearance for this role. Ordinarily, this means that you must be a New Zealand citizen, be a permanent resident, or hold a current residency class visa and intend to become a citizen when eligible. You must have a five-year checkable background in New Zealand, the UK, the USA, Canada, or Australia. Use this online tool to self-check your eligibility for a security clearance: www.protectivesecurity.govt.nz/eligibility-tool. (Please note that this tool is not part of the formal security clearance process.)

For more information, please contact Sandy Hoggarth on 04 917 1500 or email [email protected].

You must apply online through jobs.govt.nz (you'll find the application form and position description there, too).

We value originality and effort. Although AI can be helpful, we require you to submit a cover letter and CV that reflects your own voice and experiences.