Senior Advisor - Prevention Development

Senior Advisor – Prevention Development! 

• Based at Police National Headquarters, Wellington


• Permanent/Full Time


• Job Reference 6012903

E tῡ ki te kei o te waka, kia pakia koe e ngā ngaru o te wā.

Stand at the stern of the canoe and feel the spray of the future biting at your face

Mō te tūnga | About the role

As Senior Advisor – Prevention Development, you will play a key role in creating, implementing, and assessing harm reduction and prevention strategies, with a particular focus on burglary prevention, across New Zealand.

You will undertake specific evaluations of prevention initiatives, undertake analysis on emerging crime and harm problems, and identify and advise on opportunities for harm reduction across the Prevention Development Team.

You will also have a key role in building capability in evidenced based Prevention First approaches across districts.  You will work collaboratively and seamlessly with others in multidisciplinary teams and to deliver integrated, high quality and innovative work.

Nga kawenga matua | Key Accountabilities

• Use a range of research methodologies and tools including Police systems to monitor and analyze initiative results


• Design, develop, and evaluate harm reduction and prevention initiatives using quantitative and qualitative methodologies to assess effectiveness and inform future practice.


• Produce and communicate high-quality research, evaluation findings, and strategic advice to a range of audiences, translating complex information into clear and actionable recommendations.


• Build capability and provide leadership, guidance, and mentoring to support the successful delivery of prevention initiatives and projects.


• Partner with iwi, communities, and stakeholders to co-design and implement prevention initiatives, championing evidence-based Prevention First approaches across Police and partner organisations.

He aha taau e kawe mai | What you’ll bring

Whilst we are looking for skills, knowledge and experience relevant to the role, we also place high importance on your state of mind, the alignment of your values with ours, your ability to contribute to and build high performing teams, and the way that you lead yourself or others.

• Has prior experience in designing and evaluating prevention and harm reduction initiatives


• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.


• Excellent knowledge of Prevention First and problem-solving approaches (knowledge of the SARA framework desirable), with the ability to champion and embed evidence-based practice.


• A commitment to rigorous quality assurance, ensuring research, evaluation, and advice are accurate, high quality, and aligned with recognised ethical standards.


• Demonstrated ability to lead projects, influence stakeholders, and build capability across teams and the organisation.

Whakaritenga motuhake | Special requirements

This role is Individual Contributor/Emerging Leader level. You can refer to Indicators of Success for further information on the requirements.

To view the position description for this role please copy and paste this link into a new browser:

External | Senior Advisor - Prevention Development | Position Description

Mo tātou | About us

New Zealand Police is the lead agency responsible for preventing crime and enhancing community safety. It works in partnership with individuals, communities, businesses, and other public sector agencies towards the vision of making New Zealand the safest country. Police is the government’s largest front-line response agency with around 15,000 staff in large and small communities all over New Zealand and in liaison and policing development roles overseas. 

Your development is highly valued at NZ Police. Our employees enjoy significant investment in their development not only at an individual level, but also at the team and community practice level. We work hard to match you with work that will both play to your strengths and challenge you in new ways.

The work you’ll be engaged in is real, tangible work that directly benefits our frontline and communities. Taken all together, this means we can offer you career path opportunities to progress in your chosen profession and become a more well-rounded, experienced leader, with opportunities across the range of work we support.

To view more detailed information about our recruitment process along with further details about requirements please click below link:

 Applicant Information Pack (External)

Tono ināianei | Apply now

If this position sounds like you, click apply now and submit a tailored CV. You will be required to submit an application form. Before confirmation of hire, pre-employment checks will be undertaken which include reference, drug and alcohol testing  and police vetting prior to any written offer being made.  

For further information on the application process, please copy and paste this URL: https://www.police.govt.nz/careers 

All applications must be submitted online and will not be accepted directly via email. All applicants must have the right to work in New Zealand.  

Utu ā-tau | Salary

This position is covered by a collective agreement and salary will commence between $111,529 and $129,277 dependent on skills and experience relevant to the role.  

If you are an internal applicant, you must apply internally through the police system. You must provide an alternative contact email address and state your future commitments should you be successful in the next stage of the recruitment process. 

Please note: Deadline for applications is 5:00 pm on Thursday 6 August 2026. Applications may be reviewed prior to the close date as well as contact made with candidates.

If you have any questions about this vacancy, please contact Sarah Payne, at [email protected].