Mō mātou | About us
Mana Mokopuna - Children's Commissioner advocates for all 1.2 million mokopuna aged under 18 in Aotearoa and care-experienced mokopuna aged up to 25.
Mana Mokopuna is an Independent Crown Entity led by our Children's Commissioner. We advocate for children's rights to be recognised and upheld, provide advice and guidance to government and other agencies, advocate for system-level change, ensure children's voices are heard in decisions that affect them and monitor places where mokopuna are detained.
Our name, Mana Mokopuna, describes who we are and what we stand for.
Te moemoeā: kia kuru pounamu te rongo; our vision is that all children and young people of Aotearoa live their best lives.
Mō te tūnga | About the role
We are looking for a Senior Advisor to join our Rights, Insights and Advice team on a fixed-term basis to provide cover for parental leave.
In this role, you will be part of a team that supports the Children's Commissioner in their role as the independent advocate for the mokopuna of Aotearoa New Zealand. As a Senior Advisor, you will play a pivotal role by providing expert advice grounded in children's rights, with a particular focus on Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
This role involves analysing policy, funding, and legislative mechanisms to determine their impact on mokopuna, and preparing clearly written, evidence-based reports and submissions that centre mātauranga Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi in promoting the rights, interests, and wellbeing of mokopuna, while amplifying their voices.
In this 12-month fixed-term position, you will lead key projects, share your expertise across the team and wider tari, and contribute to the successful delivery of the Rights, Insights and Advice team's work programme.
Your work will draw from both te ao Māori and the Western evidence base. It will be underpinned by thorough analysis to advance the rights and wellbeing of mokopuna. As a confident communicator – both written and verbal – you will have a knack for synthesising complex information and delivering clear, fit-for-purpose advice.
You can find a full position description for the role attached.
Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu | What you will bring
We are looking for someone who can fit into the team and hit the ground running, bringing the following qualities and skills to the role:
- Mātauranga Māori and first-hand knowledge and understanding of te ao Māori.
- Fluency in te reo Māori will be a strong advantage.
- Expertise in research, evaluation, and critical analysis, particularly in relation to children's rights and wellbeing.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear briefings, submissions, and reports.
- A genuine commitment to supporting mokopuna and advocating for their participation and rights.
- Proven ability to work autonomously and to manage projects in a way that is strategic, politically savvy, and maintains excellent relationships with partners.
- Experience in the public health, education, early childhood, or disability sectors.
- An understanding of the Machinery of Government and government processes.
If you are passionate about working to improve the lives of mokopuna and are ready to hit the ground running in a fast-paced environment, we want to hear from you.
Ngä hua ka puta i te mahi ki Mana Mokopuna | What we can offer you
- A salary between $ 98,834 - $ 119,908 gross per annum.
- Flexible working options with opportunities to balance time between life and mahi.
- Opportunities to further develop your Te Reo Māori through regular lessons, along with waiata and kapa haka.
- Wellbeing benefits, including access to Rongoā Māori and Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) services.
- The chance to work with a passionate team of kaimahi dedicated to achieving the best outcomes for mokopuna across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply
- Applicants for this position should have the legal right to work in Aotearoa New Zealand.
- Applications should be submitted online only via this job advert.
- Please ensure you provide an up-to-date Cover Letter and CV outlining your motivation for the role and how you meet the requirements.
- Applicants invited to an interview will be required to fill out an employment check form, consenting to all relevant checks.
If you have any pātai regarding this role, please contact us at hr@manamokopuna.org.nz.
Applications close Thursday 28 August 2025.