Help us to make a positive difference
The Charter School Agency | Te Tari Kura Hourua, has a mission is to lift student achievement, strengthen and diversify New Zealand’s education system. We do this so that every child has the opportunity to learn, grow and succeed.
Charter schools | kura hourua offer high quality education with diverse choices for students and families, greater flexibility for educators, and increased accountability.
With the child at the heart of what we do, we achieve better outcomes together.
About this role | Mō tēnei tūranga
This Principal Analyst position is employed by the Charter School Agency and based within the Ministry of Education in Wellington CBD.
This is a very special role bringing together evaluation and data science to focus on emerging questions about the progress and growth of students and the value and impact of charter schools. While some performance and evaluation methods have already been created you will have influence over additional lines of enquiry and relevant research design, methodology and analysis to bring together a strong and coherent evaluation plan.
You will be sourcing primary data from charter schools and designing your own collection instruments, and will also have the capability and experience to use large datasets including the Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI), creating Machine Learning-based tools or processes. This will help to drive innovative and effective approaches to draw inferences and report findings.
Your field experience, ideally within the education sector, and track record of working with and leading other experts will be crucial. For this role your closest colleagues and partners will be within the Charter School Agency, charter schools, the Ministry of Education, other education agencies and third-party specialists.
A smaller part of this role involves supporting the Charter School Agency with data and information for ongoing monitoring and reporting.
You will be part of an Insights Team who work in shorter sprints and have other priorities, but who will provide collegial support, technical assistance and organisational guidance.
Salary range: $119,171 – $144,560 per annum + KiwiSaver. 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 an experienced and capable Principal Analyst with significant modelling and coding experience, a track record of work within the Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI) and someone who also brings evaluative thinking to the role – the ability to move beyond data to insight, challenge assumptions, and draw well-reasoned conclusions about effectiveness and impact.
To be successful in the role you will have:
- Demonstrated experience influencing and building support for your work and providing cut-through advice to senior leaders and Ministers.
- Sensitivity for the motivations and needs of those you are providing solutions and outputs to.
- A record of leading peoples’ understanding of outputs and implications.
- A history of working collectively and collegially with others and a deep appreciation of the institutional and political context within which your work has been conducted.
- Experience supporting the growth and development of others and leading their intellectual development.
- Experience working with senior managers and others to lead the intellectual direction of a team.
You will also have:
- A tertiary qualification in quantitative/qualitative analysis, mathematics, economics, finance, evaluation, statistics or equivalent.
- Significant experience in analysing and manipulating large data sets (R, SQL, preferred).
- An affinity for articulating research questions and theories of change, and designing and undertaking programmes of analytical work to shed new light on the impacts of programmes, actions and choices.
- The ability to communicate complex concepts and evidence to a variety of audiences, both in writing and verbally.
- An affinity for working collaboratively with internal customers and other stakeholders to determine needs, obtain information, develop approaches, and communicate results.
- A proven track record in the delivery of complex analysis.
- An acute eye for detail, taking pride in the accuracy of your work and offering robust and constructive peer review to colleagues and sound mentoring skills.
Although this is a full-time permanent post based in Wellington, we offer a flexible work environment and would consider candidates who wish to work part-time.
About our Agency | Mātau rōpū ake
The Charter Schools Agency is a departmental agency established to implement and operate the charter school model. We receive services and support from the Ministry of Education and are accountable to the Associate Minister of Education. We are the secretariat for the Authorisation Board, which approves sponsors for new and converting charter schools, oversees charter school performance, and decides on interventions with charter schools.
You can find more information at: www.charterschools.govt.nz/about-us.
About our group and team | Mātau rōpū ake
You will be employed by the Charter Schools Agency – and will work closely with the Agency and Charters Schols. However, the role will be is located within Te Pou Kōrero – a new group within the Ministry of Education combining the Digital (Information Technology) and Data and Insights (data collection, analysis, reporting, research and evaluation) functions. We work to deliver inclusive education that meets the needs of ākonga and whanau.
The Data and Insights Group provides high quality evidence to inform policy and practice. We do this to influence the policies, actions and decisions that help shape the education system and drive excellent and equitable outcomes. We pride ourselves in providing data and analysis that makes information relevant, understandable, and useful for parents, teachers, academics and government.
You’ll be part of the Insights and Analysis team, a team that generates insights through quantitative analysis and modelling using a data science approach. This includes, but is not limited to, being the Ministry of Education’s centre of expertise for conducting research and analysis of the experiences and outcomes of learners in the schooling and early childhood education sectors using the IDI.
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.
For further information, please contact James Swindells at james.swindells@education.govt.nz
Applications close Midnight, Sunday the 31st of May 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.
