Principal Adviser - Strategic

• Have you got expertise in developing culturally grounded strategies, frameworks, and programmes?
• Are you passionate about taking a systems approach to making a difference for Pacific peoples?  
• Do you have a deep understanding of Pacific cultures, values, and contexts?

Kōrero mō te tūranga - About the contract 

Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Principal Adviser - Strategic on a 4-month contract to provide surge support to deliver a strategic priority.

This is a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping Pasifika student success.  Working closely with the Office of the Assistant Vice Chancellor Pasifika and Strategic Projects, you will provide surge support to complete a culturally grounded pedagogical programme - ensuring that Pasifika aspirations, perspectives, and outcomes are meaningfully embedded.

Ō pūmanawa - About you

You are a seasoned leader with deep expertise in creating systemic change that enhance the success of our Pacific peoples.  You connect vision to systems, translate the big picture into delivery, and are able to bring others into the vision.  Taking a participatory approach, you’re passionate about creating meaningful change.  

Key requirements:

• A PhD or master’s degree in a relevant field.
• Extensive experience working with and alongside Pacific peoples, including deep understanding of Pacific cultures, values, and contexts.
• Demonstrated expertise in developing culturally grounded strategies, frameworks, and programmes.
• Experienced in leading talanoa with diverse stakeholders.
   

Contract Description: Please email [email protected] for more details.  

Close date for vacancy: 20 July 2026.

How to apply: Please ensure you are applying for this role directly on our careers page and not via email. Contractors must submit an Expression of Interest, which includes their resume as well as a cover letter that clearly sets out their experience in developing high-level strategic approaches that influence systems. Applicants who do not have residency or citizenship and require a visa to work at the University must clearly indicate their visa status in their application and understand that if they do not have a current, relevant visa, they will need to secure this independently.