Principal Advisor, Public Sector Performance

Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission leads the public sector to make a positive difference for New Zealand and New Zealanders. The Public Sector Performance Group drives public sector performance and supports the exercise of statutory responsibilities for chief executive recruitment, performance, pay and development, and advises Crown entities, boards and monitoring agencies on governance and monitoring best practice. The Group has a critical role in ensuring the Public Sector is high performing and delivering results for New Zealanders.
About the role
This Principal Advisor role provides thought leadership and advice to set the direction and drive the performance of the Public Sector. In this role, you will have a portfolio of agencies and be responsible for providing advice to senior leaders, including the Public Service Commissioner, Deputy Public Service Commissioners, and Assistant Commissioners, on the performance of chief executives and their agencies. In this role, you will have direct exposure working on priority issues and programmes to drive delivery and results through the Public Service.
As part of this role you will support key processes, including the setting of chief executive expectations and reviewing the performance of agencies, and contributing to Performance Improvement Reviews. Our focus is on ensuring we take a real-time, outcomes focused approach to drive delivery and performance through Public Service Chief Executives and agencies.
Enabling a strong Central Agency approach to driving Public Sector performance is a key foundation for how we work. You will work closely with our Central Agency partners to ensure senior leaders and Ministers are well supported with the real-time insights and interventions to actively drive Public Sector performance. You will also help drive the capability and performance of Crown entities, boards and monitoring agencies to drive a high performing public service.
This role will provide leadership in the delivery of Performance Improvement Reviews which are independent, future focused reviews to inform the strategic direction and performance of the Public Service.
The opportunity
We are looking for a high performing and experienced Principal Advisor that is looking to take on a challenging and rewarding role working at the centre of Government to drive the delivery of a high performing Public Service that delivers for New Zealanders. No one day is the same. This role provides variety, stretch and the ability to work across a broad range of high priority areas.
The opportunities you will get to work on in this role include:

- enabling active, real-time assessments on the effectiveness of agencies in delivering their core services and Government priorities, and advising Ministers on interventions to accelerate delivery
- supporting the delivery of Performance Improvement Reviews to inform the strategic direction and capability needed in Public Service agencies to ensure they can deliver on current and future priorities
- working with Central Agencies to provide Ministers with advice on the delivery and performance of Public Service agencies, including supporting the delivery of the Government's targets and implementation of Performance Plans
- engaging with Crown entity boards, chairs and monitoring agencies on good practice governance, performance and monitoring
- working with cross Commission teams in other areas led by the Commission, including machinery of government, workforce and integrity matters.

What we are looking for
We are looking for a high performing and experienced Principal Advisor who is motivated to make a difference in enabling a high performing and effective Public Service. To be successful in this role, you will need to be confident working at senior levels and providing high quality analysis and advice. Experience in building high quality relationships is critical. You will need the ability to work at a range of levels to drive delivery and get things done. This role provides critical leadership within the Commission, and across the Public Service, so a strong track record in leading and driving delivery is critical.
You may bring skills and experience in policy development, performance management, and/or working with Ministers and senior decision makers to drive delivery and performance. Experience working in or with Central Agencies would of benefit.
This position usually pays between $130,171 to $159,588 depending on skills and experience.