Overview
Senior Advisor Jobs in Wellington, South Australia, Australia at Public Defence Service – New Zealand
Title: Senior Advisor
Company: Public Defence Service – New Zealand
Location: Wellington, South Australia, Australia
Job Description
Te Haeata/The Opportunity
We are looking for a Senior Advisor to join our Sourcing and Commercial Management team within Commercial Services.
This role is focused on end‑to‑end sourcing — from early market engagement and procurement planning through to contract award, implementation, and ongoing commercial support. You will work across a diverse portfolio of procurement activities, partnering closely with business stakeholders to deliver practical, policy‑aligned, and value‑for‑money outcomes.
This is a hands‑on advisory role suited to someone who enjoys working at the intersection of procurement, commercial judgement, and stakeholder engagement, and who is comfortable operating across multiple sourcing activities at pace.
What You'll Be Doing
In this role, you will:
- Deliver end‑to‑end sourcing activities Lead and support procurement activities across the full lifecycle — including market analysis, sourcing strategy, RFx development and management, evaluation, negotiation, contract award, and transition to contract management.
- Provide trusted commercial and procurement advice Work closely with business owners to shape fit‑for‑purpose sourcing approaches that balance value for money, risk, timing, and policy compliance.
- Apply procurement rules with judgement Ensure sourcing activities are compliant with the Government Procurement Rules and Ministry policy, while applying proportionate and pragmatic solutions in complex or time‑sensitive situations.
- Engage confidently with the market Support early market engagement, manage supplier interactions appropriately, and contribute to clear, fair, and defensible procurement processes.
- Support strong contracting outcomes Contribute to contract development, negotiation, and implementation, ensuring commercial risks are understood and managed, and that contracts are set up for successful delivery.
- Work collaboratively across the team Share knowledge, support peers, and contribute to continuous improvement across sourcing and commercial practices.
Ō Pūkenga/Skills And Experience
No candidate will meet every single desired qualification. If your experience looks a little different from what we have outlined and believe you can bring value to the role, we'd love to hear from you!
We're Looking For Someone Who Brings
- Experience in procurement, sourcing, commercial, or legal roles, ideally within the public sector or a regulated environment.
- Demonstrated experience delivering end‑to‑end procurement or sourcing activities, including RFx processes and contract award.
- A solid understanding of the Government Procurement Rules and how to apply them in practice.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain procurement and commercial concepts clearly to non‑specialists.
- Sound commercial judgement, including the ability to identify and manage risk, understand value drivers, and support negotiation processes.
- A collaborative, solutions‑focused approach and the confidence to work with stakeholders at different levels.
- A commitment to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and working in a way that supports equity and good public outcomes.
- Strong capability in standard Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams), with the ability to produce high‑quality procurement and commercial documentation.
- Familiarity with Microsoft Copilot or similar tools (desirable), with an interest in using digital tools to improve efficiency and quality of advice.
Mō mātou/About us
At Te Tāhū o te Ture – the Ministry of Justice, we're committed to strengthening people's trust in the law of Aotearoa, New Zealand.
The Sourcing and Commercial Management team sits within Commercial Services and supports the Ministry to deliver efficient, compliant, and value‑for‑money procurement and commercial outcomes.
Our work spans strategic sourcing, procurement delivery, and commercial advice, supporting a wide range of business activities across the Ministry. We work closely with stakeholders to navigate complexity, manage risk, and deliver outcomes that stand up to scrutiny.
Joining Te Tāhū o te Ture means you will become part of an organisation that welcomes and supports people of all gender identities, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, disabilities and religions.
Ngā painga o tēnei wāhi mahi/What's great about working here
Benefits
We offer you a range of benefits to support your wellbeing and help make the Ministry a great place to be. These include:
- 4 weeks holiday leave
- flexible work hours where possible
- an online professional development portal
- access to a variety of inclusive and proactive networks
See our full range of benefits here.
With a wide range of jobs, you also get the chance to gain a variety of skills and experience while developing your career.
Utu ā-tau/Salary
The appointing salary for this role will be between $99,208 and $127,683 based on skills and experience.
Tono mai/Apply
To apply, click the Apply button below to be directed to our Careers Website. You can view a detailed position description here, as well as complete an online application form by attaching your CV and cover letter.
Applications close on 29 April 2026; however, we will be reviewing CVs as they come in and inviting successful candidates to interview before the close date.
If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]
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