Senior Service Designer

• Pivotal role supporting the Disability Programme
• Wellington
• Fixed Term until 30 June 2026

Mō mātou | About us

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children has a commitment to putting tamariki and rangatahi at the heart of what we do. In our work, we aim to demonstrate these values:

• We put Tamariki first
• We believe Aroha is vital
• We respect the Mana of people
• We are Tika and Pono
• We value Whakapapa
• We recognise that Oranga is a journey

We are committed to ensuring that New Zealand is the best place in the world to be a child. We are also committed to ensuring Oranga Tamariki partners with hapū, iwi and Māori organisations to find appropriate solutions for tamariki in need.

Mō te tūnga | About the role

Oranga Tamariki developed a Disability Strategy in through extensive engagement with the disability community, including tāngata Whaikaha Māori, Pacific disabled people and care experienced young people, as well as iwi and whānau. Te Riu (our Leadership team) have recently approved the establishment of the first phase of a Programme aligned to that Strategy to better meet the disability needs and rights of tamariki, rangatahi, parents and caregivers within the remit of Oranga Tamariki and across its functions.

The focus of the Disability Programme is to support the disability needs of tamariki, rangatahi, parents and caregivers through: improving our practices and services; improving the methodology, collection, quality and use of disability data and research; building the disability competency and capability of all kaimahi; and improving the organisation's ability to better advocate in the children's and disability systems.

The purpose of the Senior Service Designer is to drive co-design and collaboration activities to enable change at a local level and implement best practice service design approaches using up to date trends and techniques.

The Senior Service Designer role is to support the design and development of Caregiver support initiatives and a practice and service improvement plan.

The Senior Service Designer will have strong skills in cultural empathy, have the ability to work with and support different audiences through accessible and appropriate techniques to ensure disability and culturally inclusive design. This role will ensure that we represent the voices of tamariki, rangatahi, parents and caregivers where disability is a factor in their lives in design.

Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu | What you will bring

Key requirements of the role include:

• The ability to apply human-centred design/design thinking with proven experience of launched services that have been applied in the real world.
• The ability to see the big picture but also zoom in and focus on specific pieces of the puzzle to deliver change.
• Leading and contributing to workshops as well as the development of project proposals.
• Experience facilitating participatory design processes in place.
• Has tried and tested tools and frameworks to balance user, legislation, business and technology requirements and the experience required to coach clients and stakeholders through this.
• Understanding and experience working in and with the machinery of government - ideally in operational environments.
• High level of communication skills with the ability to tailor your message to your audience as well as write strategic and operational reports
• Experience in managing multiple projects and ability to pick up projects already in flight with a high level of prioritisation and solution focus
• Expert level skill at building and maintaining relationships with all sorts of people both inside and outside the organisation.
• Demonstrated experience leading the development of service concepts, blueprints and other artefacts to help communicate experience and delivery requirements.
• Understanding and appreciation of cross-cultural practices in particular; knowledge of tikanga Māori, and Pacific peoples' culture.

In addition to the above key requirements, the following attributes will be desirable:

• Knowledge of different perspectives of disability including but not limited to medical, social, cultural/indigenous methodologies
• Has knowledge, understanding and ability to work with and respond to the diverse needs, experiences and views of tamariki, rangatahi, parents and caregivers that Oranga Tamariki interact with.
• Demonstrates a clear and genuine connection to the disability community through personal lived experience, community involvement, cultural background, or professional/voluntary work aligned to the Disability Programme's focus.

Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you

We offer a vibrant and supportive team, flexible work options and a genuine commitment to wellbeing. We welcome diversity and are committed to working in an inclusive and respectful way. This is your opportunity to apply your skills and experience to the wellbeing of tamariki and rangatahi.

To see all the benefits of working for Oranga Tamariki, please visit

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to Apply

Apply online with your CV and Covering Letter. If you are an Oranga Tamariki employee already, please ensure you apply with a log in using your Oranga Tamariki email address.

Internal secondment opportunities may be considered. If you are interested in a secondment to this role, please discuss with your direct manager or People and Performance Partner first.

Oranga Tamariki is committed to making the recruitment process accessible and equitable. Support may include:

• NZSL interpreters.
• Assistance for mobility and transport needs.
• Accessible meeting spaces and online options.
• Adjustments to the application or interview process on request.

If you have any questions about role, please contact

Hurry as applications for this role close at 5pm on Tuesday 28 October 2025.

However, we will be reviewing applications and inviting candidates to interview prior to this date, so apply now

If you are interested in any of our vacancies, please ensure that you make yourself familiar with our code of conduct as it sets out our expectations for our kaimahi and requires you to present at work free from the influences of both drugs and alcohol.