Senior Advisor, Accountability, Risk and Assurance

Wellington-based | Permanent, Full-time role

Help strengthen trust and transparency through smarter planning, reporting, and risk management.

We're looking for a proactive, detail-focused Senior Adviser to join our small team of two at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC). This role offers the opportunity to ensure DPMC meets its public accountability requirements and manages risk effectively across the organisation.

You'll play a key role in coordinating DPMC's accountability and assurance processes, including risk management, internal audit, and statutory planning and reporting. Working closely with colleagues across the Department, you'll help build confidence in our systems, improve how we track and report performance, and support continuous improvement in how we work.

As part of our small, high-performing team, you'll

• Lead and contribute to core accountability documents such as the Annual Report, Estimates, and Strategic Intentions.
• Coordinate the internal audit programme and assurance activities.
• Monitor and report on organisational risks to support sound decision-making.
• Help maintain and improve frameworks for compliance, performance measurement, and reporting.
• Partner with business groups and work collaboratively across DPMC to coordinate high-quality input and share best practice.

About You
Ideally, you'll bring a strong foundation in risk and assurance alongside experience with planning and reporting processes and a strong interest in learning across all. Whether your background is in public sector reporting, enterprise risk, or audit and assurance, we'd love to hear from you.

To succeed in this role, you will also have

• Excellent analytical and communication skills, with a focus on clarity and accuracy.
• Proven experience partnering with the business and working collaboratively across teams to deliver results.
• A proactive, improvement-minded approach to systems and processes.

You don't need to meet every requirement to be considered. We're looking for people with the right mix of skills, judgement, and personal qualities to strengthen our team. At DPMC, we value people who are collaborative, curious, and committed to making a difference for New Zealand.

Why Join Us? | Nā te aha i Tūhono Mai Ai Ki a Mātou?
Working at DPMC means being at the heart of some of the most significant and impactful work in Aotearoa New Zealand. This role presents an opportunity to lead and contribute to the security and well-being of New Zealanders, working with smart and motivated people in an environment that values collaboration, innovation, and excellence. You'll be part of a high-performing organisation that prioritises professional development.

About The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet | Te Tari o te Pirimia me te Rūnanga Kāwanatanga
The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) supports the government of the day by leading, advising, stewarding and delivering activities across the public sector, and by providing dedicated advice and support to the Governor-General, Prime Minister and portfolio Ministers.

How to Apply - Me Pēhea te Tono Mai
A full job description is available below. If this role is of interest, please click 'Apply now' and submit your tailored Cover Letter and CV. All applications must be made online.

In your cover letter we'd like to know

• about you, your values, your whakapapa
• explain your interests and motivations for this role
• describe your skills and personal attributes you will bring to the team and DPMC.

All applications must be made online. The closing date for this role is 8pm Monday 27 October 2025.

DPMC is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity, equity, and inclusion. Applicants from all backgrounds are warmly encouraged to apply.

Applicants must have the ability to obtain and maintain the legal right to work in New Zealand.

Prior to DPMC confirming any offer of employment, pre-employment checks will be undertaken including criminal conviction history and reference checking as a minimum.