Help shape the future of Education
We work to shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent outcomes
Our organisation is made up of talented and committed people around Aotearoa, from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. While we work in different groups and on different things, we all strive every day to make the biggest difference we can for our students in our education system.
About this role | Mō tēnei tūranga
This is a permanent position for a Senior Education Adviser, Youth Justice.
There is a lot going on across the education system to improve attendance, lift achievement through a knowledge rich curriculum, and strengthen learning support interventions.
The Senior Education Adviser, Youth Justice role is part of our Education Advisory service and plays a key role in strengthening system level education responses for rangatahi involved in serious or persistent offending. You will represent the Ministry in the Youth Court, providing high quality education insights that inform collective decision making and support coordinated, multi-agency planning.
As part of the Integrated Services team, you will contribute to Youth Justice workstreams, including interagency responses such as Fast Track. You will help align agencies around shared goals, improve information flows, and support practice that creates clearer, more effective pathways for rangatahi back into learning, whānau connection, and pro social participation.
You will also contribute to wider Education Advisory mahi across the region, helping to ensure mana enhancing, equitable decisions and connected pathways for ākonga who need additional support, including those requiring placement following exclusion. Your insights will strengthen regional practice and contribute to a more coherent, responsive education system for tamariki, rangatahi, and their whānau.
Key responsibilities include:
- Representing the Ministry in the Youth Court as the primary contact for education matters.
- Preparing and presenting high quality education insights, including attendance, engagement history, enrolment, learning support, and schooling pathways.
- Providing timely, accurate information to support daily, weekly, and monthly interagency action planning.
- Collaborating with Oranga Tamariki, Police, Health, iwi partners, kura, schools, and community providers to support integrated responses.
- Identifying systemic issues and contributing to improvements in interagency practice and data processes.
- Providing insights that help the interagency team plan coordinated, effective responses for rangatahi and their whānau.
- Supporting wider Education Advisory work and undertaking other duties as required.
Why this role matters
This role directly supports rangatahi experiencing serious challenges to reconnect with learning in ways that affirm their mana, strengths, and aspirations. You will help shape system improvements, strengthen cross agency collaboration, and ensure education pathways are accessible and effective for those who need them most, particularly rangatahi whose pathways back into learning require strong, coordinated system responses.
Salary range: $85,225 - $103,071 per annum + 3% kiwi saver. The successful candidate will be appointed at a salary which reflects individual skills and experience.
For more details about the role, you can view the job description here.
About you | Mōhou ake
We are looking for someone with experience in the schooling sector and its associated legislation.
You will bring demonstrated experience working with Māori, whānau, iwi, and kaupapa Māori partners, and will:
- Bring cultural competence and a strong commitment to equitable outcomes for Māori.
- Exercise sound judgement and confidence navigating complex and time-sensitive environments.
- Influence through strong relationships and communicate clearly in fast moving settings, including the Youth Court.
- Experience in Youth Justice settings, interagency roles, or environments involving Oranga Tamariki, Police, or Health (advantageous).
- Maintain confidentiality, manage sensitive information, and respond professionally under pressure.
- Build relationships and influence change to achieve positive outcomes.
- The ability to use data and insights to identify trends, risks, and opportunities.
- Strong engagement and communication skills, including the ability to provide high quality and timely written and verbal advice.
- The ability to work as part of an integrated team delivering services to the education sector, collaborating with others to solve problems and complete tasks effectively.
- The ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.
We offer:
- Ongoing cultural capability development
- Opportunities to influence system change in real time
- Meaningful work with a direct impact on young people and their whānau
About our group and team | Mātau rōpū ake
Te Mahau | Education Advisory provides leadership and integrated services to the education sector and others. This includes learning support; education advice and regulation functions for schools and early learning services; and advice and support with curriculum. We work closely with the Early Childhood and Schooling sectors, providers, and communities to provide support, expertise, and resources to help children and young people reach their full potential.
You will join a dedicated and supportive Integrated Services team working alongside kaiako, leaders, whānau, iwi, and partner agencies to ensure tamariki and rangatahi receive the right support at the right time. You’ll play a key role at both a case and system level, helping to strengthen how agencies collaborate to create clearer, more effective pathways back into learning, community, and opportunity.
If you’re passionate about supporting rangatahi to engage, succeed, and thrive, and energised by collaborative, cross agency work, we’d love to hear from you.
Are you ready to make a difference? | Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi?
If this opportunity interests you, please submit your cover letter and resume by using the ‘apply' button. In your cover letter we’d like to know about you, your values, or anything else you’d like to share. We’re keen to understand your motivations, strengths, transferable skills, and the diverse perspectives you will bring to the role.
Tell us what you will bring to this kaupapa.
For further information, please contact Janina Konia, Manager Integrated Services at Janina.konia@education.govt.nz
Applications close Midnight – Wednesday, 11 March 2026.
We want our people to feel valued for their unique qualities and have a sense of belonging. If you require assistance or adjustments to fully participate in the recruitment process, please let us know.
