Youth Development Specialist, Taumarunui

**About us**

The Ministry of Social Development is a people-centred organisation. We're in communities across the motu, working with partners to help New Zealanders be safe, strong and independent.

We provide social policy and advice to government and assistance, including income, employment and housing support to people of all ages, families, whānau and communities.

As a Te Tiriti o Waitangi partner we are committed to supporting and enabling Māori, whānau, hapū, Iwi and communities to realise their own potential and aspirations.

Our people are as diverse as the communities we serve. We care about the wellbeing and success of our people and provide a supportive and inclusive working environment where people can thrive and be who they are.

**Youth Development Specialist, Taumarunui - Permanent**:
**Full-time, Permanent position**

**Location: Taumarunui Region**
- Want to be part of transforming young people's lives?_
- Are you results and outcome driven?_
- Do you have strong interpersonal, networking skills?_

If you answered ‘yes', we want to hear from you

We are seeking a motivated, youth-centred and outcome driven person to join the Youth Service Whanganui team as a Youth Development Specialist covering the Taumarunui Region.

**What you'll be doing | He aha tāu e mahi ana**

Equipping young people with the tools, information and knowledge to transition towards positive outcomes is a key driver of the Youth Service. Youth Service works with youth clients aged 16-19 years to support them into education, training, work-based learning, and employment.

**Key Responsibilities | Ngā kawenga matua**

You will work collaboratively with government agencies, training, education and community organisations to implement strategies that help our young people to achieve positive outcomes in their lives. It's also important you have good working relationships with the local community in order to navigate the right supports for young people.

**What you'll need to succeed | Ko ngā mea ka hiahiatia e koe kia angitū**

You will be experienced in building strong relationships with young people, working with and mentoring youth and delivering outcome-based programmes, e.g., parenting and budgeting. You will need to demonstrate a strong youth development practice to engage, influence and build goals and plans with young people to achieve their aspirations.

You will have excellent communication skills (both written and verbal), a high level of personal integrity, a self-starter and ability to work under pressure. Also required is a high level of computer literacy, self-management and report writing skills.

You are required to have a full and clear New Zealand driver's licence.

**What's in it for you l Nōu te rourou**

You will be provided with a fun, positive, client-centred work environment and gain satisfaction from transforming the lives of young people so they can be independent, resilient and thrive.

We are working towards Te Ao Māori being embedded in the way we do things at MSD and we would love you to join us on this journey.

**Our Core Values | Whanonga pono**

Manaaki - We care about the wellbeing and success of people

Mahi tahi - We work together, making a difference for communities

Whanau - We are inclusive and build a sense of belonging and place

Tika me te pono - We do the right thing with integrity

**Position Description**

Please take the time to read and understand the position description before applying. This will help you craft a response to include in your cover letter.

**The starting salary for the positions is between $78,222 - $82,339 and will be based on experience, skills and other factors.**

**How to apply**

**Note**: Your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the key responsibilities listed in the position description.

**Closing date**: Friday, 15 November 2024

**Joining us**

Joining MSD means being part of a whānau that celebrates the diversity each individual represents. We show manaaki, we care about the wellbeing and success of people and want everyone to thrive, and be who they are in a supportive and inclusive working environment. We work together to make a difference for communities while doing the right thing with integrity. We are a Treaty partner committed to strengthening relationships with Māori, Hapū, Iwi and communities to realise their own potential and aspirations.
- MSD has a COVID-19 vaccination policy that encourages, but does not require, employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and its variants, unless the role is identified as requiring vaccination at the time._