Principal Advisor - Protection - NPHS

• Provide high-quality, evidence-based advice on complex public health protection issues

• Influence key decisions through advice to senior leaders, governance groups, the Board and Ministers

• Shape planning, performance and risk across the NPHS Protection Directorate.

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 – Protection, you will provide high-quality, evidence-based advice on complex public health protection matters, supporting the National Public Health Service (NPHS) Protection Directorate and the wider organisation. Health Protection work includes communicable disease control, border health, environmental health, emergency management and regulatory functions that protect and improve the health of New Zealanders. You'll work across a range of priorities, developing clear advice for senior leaders, governance groups, the Board and Ministers, while helping ensure advice reflects wider system connections, risks and impacts.

You'll also play a key role in strengthening Directorate planning, performance reporting, risk management and machinery of government processes. Working collaboratively across NPHS, Health New Zealand and partner agencies, you'll manage complex and cross-cutting work, support continuous improvement, and provide trusted advice to senior leadership while helping build effective and consistent ways of working across the Directorate.

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'll be an experienced senior or principal-level advisor who brings excellent judgement, strong written communication skills and the ability to navigate complex and politically sensitive issues. You'll be comfortable working at pace, managing competing priorities and building trusted relationships with senior leaders and stakeholders.

You will bring:

• Significant senior or principal advisory experience, ideally within the public sector.

• Strong writing and communication skills, with the ability to turn complex information into clear, high-quality advice.

• Sound judgement, adaptability and the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver under pressure.

• Knowledge of the health system and experience in areas such as planning, reporting, risk management or machinery of government processes.

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 Monday, 26 October 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Maria Bennett via maria.bennett1@tewhatuora.govt.nz