Senior Policy Advisor - Quality Patient Safety - Clinical Leadership

• Help shape national clinical policy across Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora.

• Lead the development of high-quality clinical policies that support safe, consistent care.

• Work collaboratively with clinical experts, policy owners and senior leaders across the organisation.

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 Senior Policy Advisor, you will play a key role in developing and maintaining national clinical policies across Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora. Reporting to the National Clinical Governance Manager, you will lead the development of high-quality clinical policies, guide policy owners through the development and approval process, and coordinate the wider clinical policy suite.

You will work closely with subject matter experts, senior leaders and teams across the organisation to ensure policies are evidence-informed, appropriately reviewed, effectively communicated and implemented. The role also provides oversight and advice across clinical policy, helping to promote consistency, reduce duplication and support high-quality, safe care for people and whānau across Aotearoa.

About the Service

The National Clinical Leadership team comprises the National Clinical Chiefs, Pacific Health, National Clinical Networks, Quality and Patient Safety, Safe Staffing Healthy Workplaces and the Resident Doctor Support Services teams. This role is located in the Clinical Leadership Office, who provide support across the wider team in the areas of government services, executive and board level requirements (including reporting), project and programme management and oversight of the team's wider work programme.

About you

You'll be an experienced policy professional who brings strong judgement, attention to detail and a collaborative approach. You'll be comfortable working across a complex organisation, building trusted relationships and turning specialist input into clear, high-quality policy. Knowledge and experience of Te Ao Māori, alongside strong written and verbal communication skills, will be important to your success.

You will bring:

• A relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent experience.

• Previous experience developing and maintaining operational policy.

• Strong conceptual thinking, problem-solving skills and sound judgement.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to adapt your approach to different audiences.

• Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to collaborate effectively at all levels.

• Knowledge and experience of Te Ao Māori.

• Excellent attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy and quality.

• The ability to work independently while contributing effectively across teams.

• An understanding of the communication and training requirements involved in launching new policies.

• Ideally, a clinical qualification and/or knowledge and experience of the New Zealand health system.

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 Wednesday, 28 October 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Maria Bennett via maria.bennett1@tewhatuora.govt.nz