Help shape the future of Education

We work to shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent outcomes

Our organisation is made up of talented and committed people around Aotearoa, from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. While we work in different groups and on different things, we all strive every day to make the biggest difference we can for our students in our education system.

About this role | Mō tēnei tūranga

• Advisor
• Permanent, full-time

The successful candidate needs to be based in Wellington for the role.

This is an opportunity to work in a passionate and experienced International team and connect with policy and the wider Education sector.

As an Advisor, you will be supporting the International Education and Learner Wellbeing Policy team in working across the Tertiary International Education Sector to:

• Administer the Export Education Levy, and
• Support investment in initiatives that support the sustainable growth of International Education.

The Tertiary International and Learner Wellbeing Policy team’s work programme is a key component of the tertiary system and an area of focus for growth for the current Government. The Government has set an ambitious goal of doubling the revenue from International Education by 2034.

The International and Learner Wellbeing team plays a key role in developing strategic priorities, ensuring international education supports key educational and economic outcomes, and regulating international education. The team also has responsibility for policy work on the welfare of domestic and international tertiary students including the Code of Pastoral Care and dispute resolution schemes.

You will assist the team by providing monitoring, quality assurance and advice on data collected from external providers, and administrative support for the Export Education Levy (EEL).

You will provide coordination support to the implementation and operation of the EEL Tertiary Initiative, including maintaining effective communication channels with internal and external stakeholders and provide timely reporting and analysis to inform advice to Ministers

We also offer:

• The ability to purchase extra days leave
• A range of employee network groups
• An inclusive environment that encourages your personal cultural competency journey
• Development and learning, including mentorship programmes and internal secondments
• Wellness initiatives to support your overall health and wellbeing.>

Salary range: $74,815 - $90,347 per annum plus KiwiSaver. The successful candidate will be appointed at a salary which reflects individual skills and experience.

About you | Mōhou ake

The successful candidate will need to be able to clearly demonstrate an ability to provide support to others and lead workstreams, a proactive approach to managing their work and experience and ability to work collaboratively with a diverse range of partners, across the education sector.

People interested in this role need to demonstrate:

• Good excel skills and attention to detail
• Excellent customer service, relationship management and communication skills
• Energy, drive and the ability to see opportunities and act on them
• Be a connector - thrive on bringing people together and to improve quality and deliver results
• Experience directly supporting senior officials and an understanding of the machinery of Government

• Interest and experience working in international contexts
• The ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.

About our group and team | Mātau rōpū ake

The team is part of the Tertiary Policy group which leads interesting and challenging work programmes aimed at strengthening tertiary education at a systems level to ensure that it is inclusive, responsive, and delivers equitable outcomes for all learner groups. The Ministry’s role in tertiary education policy offers exciting challenges for policy professionals, including advising on the implementation of a new tertiary education strategy and how to give effect to Ministerial priorities across tertiary education portfolios. Our work sits across social and economic policy, and we work closely with other government agencies including TEC, NZQA, MBIE, ENZ, IR, MSD and others.

This function is part of Te Pou Kaupapahere, the Ministry’s Policy Group. We are a group with a strong policy culture that works on issues affecting a huge system that directly impacts the lives of all New Zealanders.

Te Pou Kaupapahere works alongside our colleagues in other parts of the Ministry, other central education agencies and wider government to provide Ministers with policy options to resource and shape the education system. This means delivering whole-of-system, end-to-end policy that covers early learning, schooling, and tertiary including Māori medium, te reo Māori, Pacific and learning support.

Our group provides policy support for all parts of the Ministry, including their connections with iwi, hapū, hapori and Māori peak bodies, in the development of policy that honours te Tiriti o Waitangi.

We’re proud of the culture in our policy teams. We appreciate and support each other and develop strong relationships that underpin our ability to deliver good work, including holding relationships with all education Ministers.

Are you ready to make a difference? | Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi?

If this opportunity interests you, please submit your cover letter and resume by using the ‘apply' button. In your cover letter we’d like to know about you, your values, or anything else you’d like to share. We’re keen to understand your motivations, strengths, transferable skills, and the diverse perspectives you will bring to the role.

For further information, please contact Kosal Kong, Senior Policy Manager, at Kosal.Kong@education.govt.nz

Applications close: Midnight, Friday 12th June 2026.

We want our people to feel valued for their unique qualities and have a sense of belonging. If you require assistance or adjustments to fully participate in the recruitment process, please let us know