Principal Advisor - National Strategy Engagementat Department of Internal Affairs129,271 - 160,871
- Wellington | Fixed
- term 18 months: 1 January 2026 to 30 June 2027 |Salary: $129,271
- $160,871A key part of New Zealand's approach to tackling organised crime is making it harder for criminals or terrorist groups to move money through legitimate businesses.
That's the purpose of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) regulatory scheme, which requires businesses to know their customers, understand and manage risk, and report suspicious activity to Police.
The Department of Internal Affairs currently shares regulatory oversight with the Reserve Bank and the Financial Markets Authority.From 1 July 2026, DIA will take on full responsibility as the sole AML/CFT regulator.
We're investing in our capability across the board to set ourselves up as a highly effective regulator- it's an exciting time to be part of work that's dynamic, impactful, and making a real difference.
About the Role As Principal Advisor National Strategy Engagement, you will play a pivotal role in advancing the vision for a world-class Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) system.
This position is central to ensuring that engagement across agencies and stakeholders supports the Strategy's goals.You will lead efforts to communicate and embed reforms that target resources where they are most needed.
By fostering collaboration and driving strategic engagement, you will help protect communities from the harm caused by serious crime.
You'll be responsible for: Designing and delivering a tailored engagement strategy aligned with the National Strategy.
Building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholder groups.Leading the development of clear, targeted messaging to explain what's changing, why it matters, and what stakeholders need to do.
Coordinating a range of engagement activities including webinars, in-person meetings, newsletters, and website updates.
Producing high-quality communication materials such as FAQs, timelines, and guidance documents.
Establishing feedback channels to monitor stakeholder sentiment and respond to concerns.
Supporting post engagement to assess effectiveness and refine ongoing support.
What We're Looking For We're seeking someone who: Has proven experience in strategic stakeholder engagement, ideally in a regulatory context.
Is a confident communicator with the ability to translate complex regulatory change into clear, actionable messaging.Thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and can lead cross-functional collaboration.
Is proactive, empathetic, and committed to building trust and credibility with diverse audiences.
Why Join Us?
This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a nationally significant reform that will shape the future of AML/CFT regulation in New Zealand.
You'll be joining a team that's passionate about making a real difference—building a safer, more transparent financial system and supporting businesses to meet their obligations with confidence.
We're investing in our capability across the board to set ourselves up as a highly effective regulator.
It's a dynamic, impactful time to be part of this work.
Apply now to help lead the conversation and build confidence in one of New Zealand's most important regulatory reforms.
Applications close: 5pm, Friday, 28 November 2025.For more information please contact: Melisa.Webster@dia.govt.nzJob description: To review the full job description, please click here.
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