Work for us

This is an exciting time to join the Office of the Auditor-General. We're here to make a difference, and we have opportunities for you to further your career in an organisation uniquely placed to influence improvements throughout the public sector.

Sector Advisor

The Office of the Auditor-General | Te Mana Arotake (the Office) is focused on significantly enhancing its influence and impact on the public sector to deliver better results for Aotearoa New Zealand. The Office is dedicated to making a difference to the lives of New Zealanders, by helping to continuously improve the public’s trust in public services and the value those services deliver.

We are looking for a Sector Advisor to join our sector teams (central government and local government) that are working to improve performance and accountability across the public sector.

Our Advisors are experts in, and the key contact for, a small portfolio of public entities. You’ll need to be aware of the contextual environment that the entities within your portfolio operate in, and will be responsible for responding to, a range of enquiries from appointed auditors, members of Parliament, public sector employees and the public.

You’ll be a valuable contributor to the Office of the Auditor-General’s products and services, which may include briefs to Parliament’s select committees, sector reports, performance audits, inquiries, and also advice in relation to recent changes to Standing Orders of relevance to the work of the Office.

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 be successful in the role, you need:

  • a relevant tertiary qualification;
  • 2-5 years, of relevant experience in a public sector or comparable private sector role;
  • an understanding, or the ability to quickly develop an understanding, of New Zealand’s system of government, the role of parliament, and the role of the Auditor-General within the system;
  • 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. 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 recruitment@oag.parliament.nz.

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

Applications close Sunday 14 April 2024.

Senior Sector Advisor

The Office of the Auditor-General | Te Mana Arotake (the Office) is focused on significantly enhancing its influence and impact on the public sector to deliver better results for Aotearoa New Zealand. The Office is dedicated to making a difference to the lives of New Zealanders, by helping to continuously improve the public’s trust in public services and the value those services deliver.

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

As a Senior Sector Advisor you will be the expert in, and the key contact for, a small portfolio of public entities. You’ll need to be aware of the contextual environment that the entities within your portfolio operate in, and will be responsible for responding to, a range of enquiries from appointed auditors, members of Parliament, public sector employees and the public.

You’ll be a valuable contributor to the Office of the Auditor-General’s products and services, which may include briefs to Parliament’s select committees, sector reports, performance audits, inquiries, and also advice in relation to recent changes to Standing Orders of relevance to the work of the Office.

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.

You will be able to demonstrate more advanced capabilities and experience to bring to the above range of responsibilities and will be able to bring deeper experience to lead workstreams as required.

To be successful in the role, you need:

  • a relevant tertiary qualification;
  • 5-7 years of relevant experience in a public sector or comparable private sector role;
  • an understanding, or the ability to quickly develop an understanding, of New Zealand’s system of government, the role of parliament, and the role of the Auditor-General within the system;
  • 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. 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 recruitment@oag.parliament.nz.

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

Applications close Sunday 14 April 2024.

Inquiries Specialist

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 and plays 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 an overview of the whole public sector that the Office of the Auditor-General has.

We’re looking for an Inquiries Specialist to join our Inquiries team. The Inquiries team, which is part of the Legal, Policy, and Inquiries Group, carries out inquiries on behalf of the Auditor-General. This involves taking an independent, in-depth look at concerns in the public sector and at situations where something might have gone wrong or where money and resources might have been misused. Through this work, we have a unique opportunity to consider improvements to the public sector.

Our inquiries often cover complex and high-profile matters (see some examples of our work).

As a Inquiries Specialist, you’ll be involved in:

  • assessing whether inquiries are warranted and making recommendations;
  • taking responsibility for cases and working on larger pieces of work;
  • gathering information, analysing evidence, and preparing reports and other products;
  • dealing with a wide range of issues, organisations, and people;
  • meeting and discussing issues with staff from public organisations at all levels (including senior leadership);
  • interacting with affected parties and parties involved in inquiries to check findings are accurate and balanced and to meet natural justice requirements;
  • collaborating with members of the Inquiries team, the Legal, Policy and Inquiries Group and other parts of the Office; and
  • contributing to the continuous improvement of the Inquiries team’s processes.

A tertiary qualification in law, accounting, or other relevant discipline is essential. Experience with the public sector would be an advantage, but not essential. 

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. 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 recruitment@oag.parliament.nz.

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

Applications close Sunday 14 April 2024.

Principal Advisor, Security and Risk - 18 Month fixed term

The Office of the Auditor-General | Te Mana Arotake (the Office) gives New Zealanders an independent view on public spending and performance. 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.

We’re looking for a security and risk expert to work closely with senior leaders and staff to help improve and maintain the Office’s security and risk management.

As Principal Advisor, Security and Risk, you’ll be responsible for managing the Office’s security, risk, and business continuity programmes, directly advising senior leaders and the Auditor-General, and leading risk and security awareness activities across the Office.

To succeed in this role, you’ll have:

  • 5+ years’ experience working with all three areas of the government’s protective security requirements, with an emphasis on information security;
  • a tertiary qualification in business, management, or similar;
  • significant training and experience relating to risk management frameworks and standards;
  • experience developing and testing business continuity plans; and
  • excellent written and oral communication skills.

We offer our staff

  • Learning and development opportunities.
  • Supportive, flexible working.
  • Health and well-being benefits.

As an organisation, people matter to us, our independence is critical, we act with integrity and courage, and we’re here to make a difference.

We have a diverse and inclusive team which helps us 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. 

For this role, you must be able to gain and maintain a Secret national security clearance. 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 ten-year checkable background in New Zealand, the UK, the USA, Canada, or Australia.

For more information, please contact Sandy Hoggarth on 04 917 1500 or recruitment@oag.parliament.nz.

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

Applications close Monday 1 April 2024.

Senior Inquiries Specialist

Improving the performance of, and the public’s trust in, the public sector

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 an officer of Parliament and the statutory auditor of all public organisations. Because he sits outside Government, he is able to independent review the spending of public money and plays 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 an overview of the whole public sector that the Office of the Auditor-General has.

We’re looking for a Senior Inquiries Specialist to join our Inquiries team. The Inquiries team, which is part of the Legal, Policy, and Inquiries Group, carries out inquiries on behalf of the Auditor-General. This involves taking an independent, in-depth look at concerns in the public sector and at situations where something might have gone wrong or where money and resources might have been misused. Through this work, we have a unique opportunity to consider improvements to the public sector.

Our inquiries often cover complex and high-profile matters (see some examples of our work.).

As a Senior Inquiries Specialist, you’ll be involved in:

  • assessing whether inquiries are warranted and making recommendations;
  • taking responsibility for cases and leading larger prices of work;
  • gathering information, analysing evidence, and preparing reports and other products;
  • dealing with a wide range of issues, organisations, and people;
  • meeting and discussing issues with staff from public organisations at all levels (including senior leadership);
  • carrying out extensive interaction with affected parties and parties involved in inquiries to check findings are accurate and balanced and to meet natural justice requirements;
  • providing guidance to members of the Inquiries team and other parts of the Office; and
  • being responsible for certain parts of the Inquiries team’s processes.

We’re looking for someone with at least eight to 10 years’ experience, preferably in the public sector.

A tertiary qualification in law, accounting, or other relevant discipline is essential.

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. 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 recruitment@oag.parliament.nz.

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

Applications close Sunday 14 April 2024.

Notes for applicants

  1. We usually ask candidates to apply through the jobs.govt.nz website. We'll use the information you provide through that site to help us consider your suitability for the position you've applied for. (If your application is successful, we'll put this information on your personnel file. You can ask to see the information in that file, and to seek any correction you think necessary to ensure accuracy.)
  2. If the advertised position doesn't include a link to the jobs.govt.nz website, please email your curriculum vitae and a covering letter to the Advisor, Talent and Recruitment.
  3. Many positions in Audit New Zealand and the Office of the Auditor-General require you to have a satisfactory security clearance. Therefore, any offer of employment might be conditional on a satisfactory security clearance.
  4. If we proceed with your application, we'll ask for the details we need for your security clearance and details of any criminal convictions.
  5. Please note that if you've given incorrect or misleading information, or have left out any important information or fail to obtain a security clearance, you may be disqualified from appointment. If you've already been appointed, your employment may be immediately terminated.
  6. If your application is successful, we'll need to see:
    • certificates of your educational qualifications;
    • if applicable, evidence of your New Zealand Citizenship, residency, or work permit.
  7. All employees of the Controller and Auditor-General must be independent of the organisations we audit. Accordingly, as an employee you will be required to complete an independence declaration. This declaration includes the disclosure of a financial interest of you (or a family member) in an audited organisation, or a personal relationship with a member of that organisation’s executive or staff.
  8. If your disclosure reveals an existing or potential problem you won't be assigned to any project where your independence as an employee could be compromised, or where a conflict of interest situation might arise. At the extreme end of the spectrum, you might be asked to divest yourself of any investments in an organisation under audit.

What we stand for: People matter | Our independence is critical | We act with integrity and courage | We’re here to make a difference

Page last updated: 28 March 2024