Senior Advisor People & Capability - Health, Safety and Wellbeing

About this role

Senior People & Capability Advisor – Health, Safety and Wellbeing (6-month fixed term or inter-agency secondment opportunity)

About Us

He aha te mea nui o tēnei ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.

Hello, Kia ora, Noa'ia, Talofa lava, Mauri, Mālō e lelei, Tālofa, Ni Sa Bula Vinaka, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Mālō ni, Kia orana , nǐ hǎo, Kamusta.

WorkSafe New Zealand | Mahi Haumaru Aotearoa is the primary workplace health and safety regulator. Our vision is that everyone who goes to mahi comes home healthy and safe. We live by our values: 

• Whakakotahi– we are united in a strong purpose 
• Kōrero mai– we engage meaningfully 
• Tiakina mai– we are entrusted with a duty of care 

 

About your team / Ko te tīma

Sitting within the Corporate Group, the People and Capability business unit supports WorkSafe with: 

• HR operations (HR Advice and Recruitment)
• internal health, safety and wellbeing
• organisational development/ learning & development 

We provide support and advice across the full employee lifecycle, and for the provision of strategic and tactical advice related to employment relations, safety, health and wellbeing, recruitment including offboarding and onboarding, organisation development including learning and development, performance and culture.  

 

About the role / Ō te tūranga

In this role, you'll play a key part in progressing and strengthening our critical risk management work as part of the Health, Safety and Wellbeing work programme.

As the Senior Advisor People & Capability (Health, Safety and Wellbeing), you will partner closely with leaders and teams across WorkSafe to provide strategic and operational advice to support WorkSafe in meeting its duties under the HSWA by providing expertise, systems, and oversight that enable others (e.g. officers, people leaders and workers) to fulfil their health and safety responsibilities.

You'll act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, providing expert guidance, coaching and leadership across all HSW disciplines, while playing a key role in shaping and delivering organisation wide initiatives. Working collaboratively with the Health, Safety and Wellbeing team, you will help lead, influence and embed sustainable practices that strengthen capability, support leaders, and drive meaningful improvements across the organisation.

This is a 6-month fixed-term contract, and we are also open to considering an inter-agency secondment. Interested inter-agency secondment applicants should discuss this opportunity with their manager before applying.

 

What You'll Do/ Ko tōu ake mahi

• Partner with people leaders to become their trusted advisor across the full HSW remit, providing pragmatic, risk-based advice that enables confident decision making. 
• Lead and deliver organisation wide HSW initiatives, driving measurable improvements in wellbeing, safety culture, and leadership capability. 
• Develop, implement and continually improve HSW policies, standards and frameworks that align with legislation and support the prevention of work-related harm. 
• Provide leadership through facilitation, coaching and governance support, including building productive relationships with unions and H&S representatives. 

 

What You'll Bring / Ko ngā pukenga ōu

• Proven experience as a trusted advisor, with deep expertise across the People and Capability remit and a strong track record in Health, Safety and Wellbeing practice. 
• The ability to influence at senior levels without formal authority, using strong interpersonal skills and confident coaching to drive meaningful outcomes. 
• Demonstrated success designing, implementing and improving HSW processes, policies and frameworks in complex, fast moving environments. 
• Strong judgement and the ability to work autonomously, balancing risk, options and evidence to provide clear, practical advice. 
• A history of leading significant projects from concept through to delivery, supported by excellent communication skills and a relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent experience. 

Nāu te rourou, nāku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi. 

 

Salary range / Awhe utu

As part of our remuneration framework, the full salary range for this role is $112,754 -$147,932. The expected appointment base salary is $112,754-$124,480 (KiwiSaver/SSRSS employer contributions are additional). From 1 April 2026 our KiwiSaver employer contribution increased to 3.5%.    

We offer a range of benefits including:

• Free life insurance for the duration of your employment
• 15 days sick leave
• Professional development opportunities
• Employee-led networks to promote the goals and needs of our diverse communities (Rainbow, Pacific, Women's and Tū Rangatira Māori Network)

 

How to apply / Me pēhea te tono

Click Apply, complete the application form, and upload your CV and cover letter.

AI can be a helpful tool when preparing your application, but what matters most to us is you. Please ensure your CV, cover letter, and responses reflect your own skills, experiences, and perspective. We want to hear your real story - your passion, your personality, and what makes you unique. Don't let AI do all the talking - let it support you, not replace you.

Learn more about working with us: Careers | WorkSafe.

For queries, please contact: careers@worksafe.govt.nz.

WorkSafe Mahi Haumaru is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and actively welcome applicants from all backgrounds, including people with disabilities and those who are neurodivergent. We believe different perspectives strengthen our mahi and help create an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.

Please let us know if you need any adjustments or support to ensure the recruitment process is accessible.

Applications close: 16 June 2026