Principal Advisor, Antenatal and Childhood Screening - Prevention - NPHS

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Provide strategic leadership and expert advice across antenatal and childhood screening programmes

• Lead complex, high-priority work to improve the quality, equity and outcomes of screening services

• Influence across the health sector, building trusted relationships to shape policy and programme delivery.

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is the country's largest employer, delivering universal public healthcare to 5 million New Zealanders. We provide essential hospital, specialist, and community health services across 80+ locations from large urban centres to rural towns and remote communities. Our goal is to improve health outcomes for all New Zealanders by delivering equitable, accessible and innovative care.

About the Role

As Principal Advisor, Antenatal and Childhood Screening, you will provide senior policy expertise, strategic guidance and thought leadership across our antenatal and newborn screening programmes. You will lead and support key pieces of work, providing high-quality advice that informs decision-making and helps improve the quality, equity and outcomes of screening services.

Working across Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora and with a diverse range of sector partners and stakeholders, you will build strong relationships, lead complex projects and help ensure work programmes are well planned and aligned with wider priorities. You will also contribute to building team capability through coaching, mentoring and continuous improvement, with a strong focus on improving access and outcomes for the communities we serve.

About the Service

The National Public Health Service (NPHS) within Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora works towards Pae Ora (healthy futures) for all by engaging with the wider determinants that impact people's health, focusing on oranga/wellbeing, prevention, protection, and population-level intervention. We are connected across boundaries to deliver public health services that are nationally planned, regionally delivered and locally tailored.

About you

You will bring substantial advisory experience, strong strategic thinking, sound judgement and the ability to turn complex information into clear, high-quality advice. Comfortable working in a complex government environment, you will build trusted relationships across diverse stakeholders and bring a collaborative approach to influencing, leading projects and delivering results.

• Proven thought leadership and senior policy development expertise, with strong strategic leadership capability.

• Significant project management experience, including the ability to coach and mentor others and build team capability.

• Strong relationship management and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively across a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.

• Experience working in central government, including providing advice to Ministers and a strong understanding of the machinery of government.

• A relevant tertiary qualification and working knowledge of the health and social sectors; experience in public health and knowledge of screening principles would be an advantage.

Working for Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand. We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities.

How to Apply

To apply please click “apply now”. All applications must be submitted through our online careers' portal by Sunday, 15 November 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Maria Bennett via maria.bennett1@tewhatuora.govt.nz