He ara pukenga, he ara tauwhiro, hei whakamana mātā waka 
The many pathways of knowledge, the many pathways of social work, upholding the dignity of all

Current vacancies on this page:

Engagement and communications implementation manager

Expression of interest – panel member for prescription and monitoring framework

Engagement and communications implementation manager

 Mō te tūnga | About the role

Social work regulation matters. It protects vulnerable people, strengthens professional practice, and builds public confidence in the services our communities depend on.

We’re seeking an Engagement and Communications ImplementationManager for an 18-month fixed-term role that will shape how SWRB connects with the sector, iwi and communities, government, and the public. This is a pivotal leadership position during a period of deliberate transformation – we’re moving from reactive communications to strategic engagement, building stronger relationships, and ensuring our voice and mana as both regulator and lead agency for workforce planning is clear and credible.

You’ll lead implementation of our Engagement Strategy 2025-2028, work across our small passionate team, and provide strategic advice to our Chief Executive and Board. You’ll also navigate the political environment, maintaining productive relationships with our Minister, monitoring agency (MSD), and across the machinery of government.

You’ll make an immediate impact in this role. Based in the Sector Strategy and Performance Team, you’ll be positioned at the interface between our regulatory functions, workforce strategy leadership, and external relationships – reflecting our commitment to embedding engagement as core business, not a support function.

Lead the implementation of the SWRB Engagement Strategy 2025–2028, embedding modern, risk-based, and responsive regulatory practices.
Provide strategic advice to the Chief Executive, Directors, and Senior Leadership Team on communication, engagement, and change priorities.
Oversee high-quality delivery of internal and external communications, media engagement, and stakeholder relationships.
Design and deliver campaigns and messaging that support regulatory clarity, workforce engagement, and public confidence.
Build and maintain enduring relationships with Māori, Pacific, and other diverse communities, ensuring authentic engagement and partnership.
Lead and develop a small, high-performing team, fostering collaboration, creativity, and accountability.
Promote a values-based, learning-oriented culture that enables collaboration and adaptive leadership.

We strive to have a diverse workplace of people with different backgrounds, experience and ability working together to make us stronger organisation. The SWRB value input and ideas and enable work autonomy. We are also committed to providing you with opportunities for professional growth that will benefit you now and in the future. We believe diversity, autonomy and growth creates an energised, innovative and flexible workplace where you will feel appreciated and respected.

Mōhou ake | About you

Highly motivated, adaptable, and resilient team player with strong organisational and time management skills to handle multiple projects and meet critical deadlines.
Outstanding written and oral communication skills, excellent relationship management, and ability to work collaboratively, share ideas, and build effective working relationships.
Skilled in advising at CE and Board level, navigating ministerial and agency relationships, and building trust in politically sensitive or high-stakes environments.
Commitment to continuous improvement and learning in te ao Māori and te reo Māori.

Ko wai tātou | Who are we?

He ara pukenga, he ara tauwhiro, hei whakamana mātā waka

The many pathways of knowledge, the many pathways of social work, upholding the dignity of all

 The Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB) / Kāhui Whakamana Tauwhiro is a Crown Entity which is Aotearoa’s social worker regulator and lead agency for social worker workforce planning.

It protects the safety of members of the public by ensuring social workers are competent and safe to practise and are accountable for the way in which they practise. It also enhances social workers’ professional practice and provide insight into the opportunities and challenges facing the social worker workforce.

As the SWRB, we recognise our Crown-Māori commitment as a Te Tiriti O Waitangi partner and are committed to improving services and outcomes for Māori, strengthening the Crown’s relationship with Māori, and developing our Māori capability.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

Tertiary qualification in communications, engagement, public relations, or related discipline, or demonstrated equivalent experience.
Extensive experience in senior communications and/or engagement roles within the public sector, regulatory, or social services environment.
Proven experience designing and implementing change, engagement, or behaviour-change programmes.
Demonstrated experience embedding Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles and engaging authentically with Māori, Pacific, and other diverse communities.
Strong strategic planning and project-delivery capability, including development of communication tools and performance frameworks.
Experience working in politically sensitive or high-stakes environments where regulatory independence must be balanced with strong government relationships and constructive engagement with those who are regulated.

Nōu te rourou | What’s in it for you?

The opportunity to lead meaningful change in a small Crown entity at a critical juncture, where your strategic thinking will directly influence organisational culture and sector relationships. You will be part of a small supportive organisation (50 staff) where learning and developing is encouraged.
We also offer:

Flexible work-life balance.
Professional growth and development opportunities.
Autonomy, authenticity and belonging.
Wellbeing focused environment.
People focused organisational culture.

For more information, please contact Rebecca.courtney@swrb.govt.nz. To apply please submit your CV and cover letter via the Seek website. Applications close Friday 16 January 2026.

Expression of interest – panel member for prescription and monitoring framework

The Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB) invites expressions of interest from suitably qualified individuals to join a pool of panel members that will support the implementation of our new Education Standards and Prescription and Monitoring Framework, effective from January 2026.

These panels will play a vital role in assessing tertiary education organisations against the new standards to ensure the quality of social work education in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Essential expertise required

We are looking for individuals with experience or expertise in one or more of the following areas:

Social work education and practice*
Te ao Māori
Assessment and evaluation against set standards
Regulatory frameworks

Additional expertise (desirable)

Non-social work tertiary education
Employers of social workers and/or field work placement providers
Recent social work graduates (within 5 years of graduation from a NZ prescribed programme)

*To be considered for social work expertise, applicants must be registered with the SWRB and hold a current practising certificate. We also welcome applications from suitably qualified and experienced people who are not social workers.

Expressions of interest close Friday, 30 January 2026.