Vacancies on the National Ethics Advisory Committee at Ministry of Health -
The Ministry of Health
- Manatū Hauora (the Ministry) is seeking candidates who wish to be considered for appointment as lay or non-lay members or the Deputy Chair to the National Ethics Advisory Committee (the Committee).
The purpose of Committee is to provide the Minister of Health with advice on ethical issues of national significance in respect of any health and disability matter (including research and health services), determine nationally consistent ethical standards across the health sector, and provide scrutiny for national health research and health services.About the role
- Kōrero mō te tūranga Being a member of the Committee is rewarding and challenging.
An ability to work objectively across a range of relevant perspectives and not adopt a narrow advocacy position is required of all members.
Members are also expected to demonstrate open and responsive communication skills, with an ability to reach consensus when different points of views are shared.Appointments to the Committee are made by Associate Minister of Health, Hon Matt Doocey, typically for terms of terms of three years.
Members can be reappointed once for up to a total of six consecutive years.The Ministry recognises that diversity enables our boards and councils to be high-performing and is committed to delivering greater diversity to statutory boards and ensuring they represent the diversity in New Zealand's population, including gender, ethnicity, disability, age and geographic location.
The Ministry encourages people from all backgrounds, especially those who can reflect the needs, values, and beliefs of Māori, have an understanding and are committed to meeting obligations of the Treaty of Waitangi, to apply for these roles.
The Committee meets every two months, mostly online although there may be one or two in-person meetings per year in Wellington, with occasional between meeting work.Further information about NEAC can be found in the Terms of Reference.
About you- Kōrero mōu For all applicants, governance and/or regulatory experience is a plus but not required.
It is beneficial if you have the ability to lead strategically, and to balance competing demands.In this instance, we are particularly looking to receive applications from non-lay candidates who are registered medical practitioners with expertise in research, epidemiology, or ethics experience.
We are also looking for candidates who can represent the perspectives of Māori, Pacific people and people with lived experience of disability.A non-lay member is defined as health practitioners, professionals, academics and those involved in health research as well as clinical practice, businesses or organisations.We are also seeking lay candidates who can represent the community/consumers who must not be health professionals or health researchers.
Preferred and attributes for these roles includes: lead in a fair, objective, efficient and collegial mannerhave the ability to listen to the viewpoints of others, to question effectively, challenge constructively and respond to various positions in a sensitive and reasonable waythe willingness to lead, oversee all work and collaborate with other Members and the Committee Secretariatbe prepared to commit the necessary time both during and between Committee meetings.How to apply- Me pēhea te tonoApplications must be made using the Ministry of Health online Career Centre by close of business 10 March 2026 and include: a covering letter, anda current CV.Please indicate in your cover letter whether you are applying for the deputy chair position and/or a member position.Due diligence checks will be undertaken for shortlisted applicants.
Your personal information will be handled in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020.
The Ministry may also request that the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service conduct national security screening of you as part of the appointment process.The appointment process can be lengthy, taking up to six months.
Your patience and professionalism as we work through the next steps is appreciated.
The outcome of the recruitment process for this Committee will be confirmed after it has been considered by the Minister as per their delegated authority.
Who we are- Ko wai mātou See the Ministry of Health Board appointments webpage for more information.
If you would like to obtain further information or clarification, or if your circumstances change or should you wish to withdraw your application, please contact the Statutory Appointments and Integrity Services team by emailing: appointments@health.govt.nz