Principal Advisor - Purchasing and Contracting - Business Services - NPHSat Te Whatu Ora -
We provide essential hospital, specialist, and community health services across 80+ locations — from large urban centres to rural towns and remote communities. Our goal is to improve health outcomes for all New Zealanders by delivering equitable, accessible and innovative care.
About the RoleWe have the opportunity available to join the National Public Health Service (NPHS) Business Services Directorate as a Principal Advisor in the Purchasing and Contracting team. This is a permanent, full-time role.The Principal Advisor will provide operational and strategic advice on matters relating to funding, commissioning and procurement to the National Public Health Service, including its senior leadership team.
They will be familiar with commissioning models, and application of the NZ Government Procurement Rules, related policies, procedures and templates. The role also requires an ability to interpret and manage financial information, provide analysis and write high quality papers relating to purchasing, funding and contracts for decision-makersAbout the Team/Service/ LocationThe NPHS within Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora, work 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.About youAs a Principal Advisor, you are confident working in a fast-paced environment and getting ‘stuck in' with a range of work.You will have a strong eye for detail and quality, the ability to quickly understand new information, manage a broad range of work, write for a broad range of audiences, prioritise well and keep key players informed. You will be a natural problem solver, have good political nous and understand funding, contracting and procurement within a health context.
A relevant tertiary qualification, or equivalent experience (e.g. Law, Finance, or Business)Health system experience (service planning and funding)Extensive experience in an advisory role, applying critical thinking and using sound judgement to develop options and provide adviceExtensive experience in procurement, purchasing and contracting, including in providing advice and analysis in a health contextExtensive experience developing high quality written advice to senior decision makers, ensuring advice, options, risks and next steps are clearly communicated, and decision making is able to occur on a no surprise basisExtensive experience with developing and managing excel spreadsheets and using it to inform analysis and adviceStrong 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 audiencesWorking for Health New ZealandHealth 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 ApplyTo apply please click apply now.All applications must be submitted through our online careers' portal by Sunday, 1 February 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact Anesha Pillay via Anesha.pillay@tewhatuora.govt.nz Whilst Health New Zealand is undergoing change affected employees will be given preference and priority for this position.