• Contribute to transforming the future of public health intelligence in this Principal Advisor role
• Location: National or Regional NPHS Office
• Permanent, Full-time role

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to building a health system that serves all New Zealanders.

About the Role

We have an opportunity for a Principal Advisor to join our Intelligence team in a permanent, full-time role.

This is a critical role in our evidence and determinants group, helping to develop intelligence insights to support evidence-based decision-making. This group has two key functions; the first includes providing advice on evidence and evaluation initiatives across the breadth of public health priority topics; the second is a lead role in providing data and information products for topics such as alcohol harm minimisation, tobacco control and vaping, food environments and physical activity, and mental wellbeing.

This role will see you provide strong subject matter expertise, advice, peer review and leadership in these areas. You will use your skills and significant experience in similar roles to provide expert intelligence, data, research, and evaluation advice and to lead kaimahi in the development and application of the public health evidence base.

About the Team/Service/Location

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.

The Intelligence directorate is a population and public health operational Intelligence team that is national and regionally networked and collaborative across organisations and agencies. In our work, we provide advice and deliver products that are used to inform evidence-based decision-making across the NPHS. Our data and products need to be informative and interpretable; they also need to reflect the voices and stories of our communities.

About you

You are someone with 10 - 15 years' experience with qualitative and/or quantitative research and evaluation techniques, practices and principles, supported with relevant professional qualifications. Seen as a thought leader and seasoned professional, you bring experience in public health intelligence, research and evaluation and an ability to lead the development of programmes of work to address the evidence needs of the NPHS, on a range of topics.

• A relevant graduate and post-graduate qualification or equivalent experience (e.g. public health, epidemiology, informatics)  
• Significant experience providing thought leadership and senior level advice to develop products and processes to create intelligence that can inform evidence-based public health decision-making
• Experience with evaluation in health-related settings
• Experience mentoring/leading small teams to deliver on programmes of work
• Able to articulate complex concepts and findings in accessible language for non-technical audiences
• Well-developed writing and relationship skills capable of leading a portfolio of work
• Excellent analytical skills combined with an ability to quickly assimilate new information, and to write and talk about complex issues clearly and concisely with a range of audiences
• Knowledge of the Official Information Act and its application to statistical information, and an understanding of the key issues affecting the New Zealand health and disability system and wider public sector is desirable

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 view the position description and/or apply for the role please click “apply now.”  All applications must be submitted through our online careers portal before 11:59pm on 21 May 2025. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Elismha Lubbe at Elismha.Lubbe@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz

Whilst Health New Zealand is undergoing change affected kaimahi will be given preference and priority for this position.