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:

Deputy Registrar Education

Permanent full-time
Salary: $146,000–$155,000

Ko wai tātou | Who are we?

The Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB) | Kāhui Whakamana Tauwhiro is Aotearoa’s social worker regulator and the Government’s lead agency for social worker workforce planning. We protect the public by ensuring social workers are competent, safe to practise, and accountable – and we work alongside the profession to strengthen practice and support a sustainable workforce. We are a Crown Entity accountable to the Minister of Social Development and Employment, and we are committed to improving services and outcomes for Māori, strengthening the Crown’s relationship with Māori, and developing our Māori capability.

Mō te tūnga | About the role

Social work education is where the profession begins. The standards that govern how social workers are trained, what they must know, and how they are assessed for entry to practice – these are the foundations on which public safety rests. As Deputy Registrar Education, you will be responsible for the integrity of that foundation.

Reporting to the Registrar, you will lead the SWRB’s regulatory functions relating to education – overseeing the prescription, monitoring and review of social work qualifications and training pathways under the Social Workers Registration Act 2003. You will chair site visit hui with tertiary education organisations, provide expert advice and Board reporting, lead a high-performing education team, and work closely with educators, regulators, and sector stakeholders to uphold the credibility and transparency of the education framework.

This is substantive, expert work. It requires someone who is as comfortable in a complex legislative environment as they are facilitating a consensus-based panel hui or presenting findings to the Board.

Mōhou ake | About you

You are a senior leader who has built your credibility the hard way – through deep knowledge, sound judgement, and a track record of advice that holds up under scrutiny. You understand regulatory frameworks and know how to administer a statutory function with precision and care.

You bring demonstrated expertise in interpreting legislation, administering statutory functions, and providing high-quality advice that stands up to scrutiny in complex and politically sensitive environments.

You bring proven people leadership experience, exceptional written and verbal communication skills, and a strong track record of stakeholder engagement.

You bring a clear commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, cultural capability, and the ability to work effectively with Māori as tangata whenua, while leading with integrity, professionalism and sound judgement.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience  

You will have:

• Experience in the tertiary education sector at a senior level.
• Demonstrate knowledge and experience of working in a regulatory framework e.g. social work, higher education, health or quality assurance.
• Understand the principles and conventions of government and the constitutional, legal, and politically neutral framework in which one works in the state sector.
• Demonstrated commitment and understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, te ao Māori and as it relates to the social services sector.
• Sound knowledge of professional education and regulatory legislation.
• Proven experience in administering a statutory function and interpreting complex legislation.
• Proven senior management experience, including staff management.
• Proven track record of effective stakeholder management.
• Highly developed communication skills, both oral and written, which enable the person to deal effectively with key relationships, both internal and external.
• Knowledge of social work education and the social work sector is desirable. 

Nōu te rourou | What’s in it for you?

• Work that matters – the decisions made in this role directly shape who enters the social work profession and the standards they must meet to get there.
• A unique regulatory context – the SWRB’s dual mandate as both occupational regulator and workforce planning lead agency gives this role a breadth and visibility few comparable positions can offer.
• A permanent, full-time role with genuine leadership scope – you will lead a team, contribute to Board decision-making, and work at the intersection of regulation, education, and sector relationships.
• A values-driven organisation that takes He Arapaki and Te Tiriti obligations seriously as part of how we work, not just what we say.
• Hybrid working, a Wellington CBD location, and a collegial team environment.

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 Tuesday, 7 April 2026 at 5:00pm.

Team Leader, Registration

Mō te tūnga | About the role 

Are you looking for mahi you can get your teeth stuck into in an organisation where nothing stands still from week to week? We are looking for a Team Leader, Registration to lead our dedicated Registration team, driven by a shared commitment to public safety and the professionalism of social workers. The mahi will be vital to supporting the day-to-day operation of the Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB) registration processes.

You will hit the ground running reporting to the Deputy Registrar, Registration, working within the Registration Team and wider Regulatory Team. This role focusses on leading and supporting the team while continuing to manage registration processes and deliver high‑quality regulatory outcomes. Key tasks include:

• Lead and support the Registration team to deliver the day‑to‑day operation of registration and certification processes, ensuring policies and procedures are consistently followed.
• Oversee and manage the team’s assessment of registration applications, applying critical thinking and a risk based lens to support sound, consistent decisions.
• Provide guidance and oversight to the team during the annual Practising Certificate renewal process, ensuring work is timely, accurate, and customer focussed.
• Act as a key escalation point for complex customer enquiries, supporting the team to manage inbound and outbound calls, emails, and correspondence effectively.
• Monitor team performance and workflows, identifying opportunities to improve processes, data quality, and reporting.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with internal stakeholders.

 Mōhou ake | About you

• You will be a confident and people focussed team leader who enjoys supporting others to do their best work.
• You lead by example, communicate clearly, and create a positive team environment where people feel supported, motivated, and accountable.
• You’re comfortable working at pace in a regulatory environment, balancing day-to-day operational work with people leadership.
• You bring empathy and sound judgement to your interactions, particularly when working with complex information and sensitive situations.
• You are keen to grow your leadership capability, open to learning, and able to work collaboratively across teams to achieve shared outcomes.
• You value diversity and are committed to embedding Te Ao Māori, including te reo Māori, tikanga, kawa, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi, into the way you do your mahi.

Ko wai tātou | Who are we? 

The SWRB is the social worker regulator for Aotearoa, a Crown entity, 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 provides 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  

• Experience leading, supervising, or supporting a team, or a strong developing capability in people leadership.
• Ability to create a positive, open, and supportive team culture.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Empathy and a strong customer service focus, particularly when dealing with complex or sensitive matters.
• Sound judgement and the ability to prioritise work, manage competing demands, and work at pace.
• Ability to apply analytical thinking and a risk lens to decision‑making.
• Proven discretion, tact and diplomacy in dealing with confidential and/or personal work-related information.
• Strong relationship‑building skills and the ability to work collaboratively across teams.
• Strong general computer skills including the use of Microsoft Office products.
• An understanding of, or willingness to build capability in, Te Ao Māori and cross‑cultural practice.
• A tertiary qualification or equivalent relevant experience.

Nōu te rourou |  What’s in it for you? 

Working for the SWRB will provide you with the opportunity to be part of a small crown agent, occupational regulator and workforce lead agency to grow your experience and knowledge of working in government. 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 focussed environment.
• People focussed 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 Tuesday, 7 April 2026 at 5:00pm.

Workforce Planning Advisor

12 months fixed-term
Salary $101,00–$107,300

Ko wai tātou | Who are we?

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.

We protect 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.

We also enhance social workers’ professional practice and provide insight into the opportunities and challenges facing the social work workforce.

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.

Mō te tūnga | About the role

Workforce data is only useful if someone can make sense of it. As Workforce Planning Advisor, you will be that person – drawing on data, research, and sector intelligence to build a clear, evidence-based picture of the social work workforce and what it needs to thrive.

Working within the Sector Strategy and Performance team and reporting to the Lead Advisor Workforce Planning, you will contribute to evidence-based insights, cross-sector workforce strategy, and reporting that supports a sustainable and future-focused social work workforce.

You will analyse workforce data and sector intelligence, translate complex information into clear advice, and engage with stakeholders across government and the social sector. Your work will inform decision-making, support Crown entity and ministerial reporting, and embed Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations – including the application of He Arapaki, the SWRB’s Māori development framework.

Mōhou ake | About you

You are an analytical and confident advisor who enjoys working with complexity and can turn data, research and diverse perspectives into clear, practical insights. You bring strong written and verbal communication skills and are comfortable tailoring advice for audiences. You are an analytical and confident advisor who is energised by complex problems that don’t have easy answers. You can hold your analytical position under challenge, and you bring the intellectual confidence to name what the evidence doesn’t yet tell us as clearly as what it does.

You build credibility with senior stakeholders not by telling them what they want to hear, but by being consistently rigorous and honest. You are as comfortable in a sector engagement conversation as you are writing a ministerial briefing, and you understand why both matter.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience  

You will have:

• A relevant tertiary qualification and/or equivalent experience with research, data analysis and/or reporting.
• Experience working within health and/or social service settings.
• Background in social sciences, public policy, workforce planning, or a related field.
• Track record providing evidence-based insights to support decision making, including effective writing and communication with a variety of audiences.
• Experience in contributing to projects from conception through to delivery and communication of findings.
• Demonstrated ability to synthesise complex information from multiple sources into clear, actionable advice.
• An understanding of the machinery of government, with experience preparing written material for a ministerial audience, would be an advantage.
• Experience in supporting stakeholder engagement and cross sector collaboration.
• Experience working collaboratively with business intelligence, research, or analytical functions to inform policy development or strategic planning.

Nōu te rourou | What’s in it for you?

• Work that matters – you will contribute directly to understanding and shaping the social work workforce across Aotearoa, work that has real consequences for communities and whānau.
• A unique vantage point – the SWRB sits at the intersection of regulation, workforce intelligence, and government policy, giving you access to data, relationships, and conversations few organisations can offer.
• A values-driven culture that takes He Arapaki (our Māori Development Framework) and Te Tiriti obligations seriously.
• A collaborative environment Hybrid working, with a Wellington CBD location.
• A fixed-term role with real breadth – this is the kind of position that builds your analytical, policy, and stakeholder repertoire in ways that will serve your career well beyond the 12 months.

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 Monday, 13 April at 9:00am.

Registration Officer

Permanent
Salary $65,000–$69,000

Who are we? | Ko wai tātou

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.

We protect 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.

We also enhance social workers’ professional practice and provide insight into the opportunities and challenges facing the social work workforce.

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.

About the role | Mō te tūnga

As a Registration Officer, you are the first point of contact for social workers and applicants, helping them navigate the registration and practising certificate processes with clarity and care. You play a vital role in creating a positive, values-based experience for everyone engaging with the Social Workers Registration Board. Working within the registration team and reporting to the Deputy Registrar, you support the day-to-day operation of registration, manage applications from start to finish, respond to enquiries, and maintain accurate records. Your attention to detail, sound judgement, and ability to work at pace ensure that requirements are met and the dignity of those you engage with is upheld.

You will collaborate closely with colleagues across the organisation, delivering timely, consistent, and professional service. As your knowledge grows, you’ll contribute ideas to improve systems and processes, help strengthen data quality, and support the SWRB’s commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and culturally responsive practice in everyday work. This is a role where the quality of your interactions and your commitment to values genuinely make a difference.

About you | Mōhou ake

You are organised, thoughtful, and motivated by work that has real purpose. You enjoy supporting others, take pride in doing things well, and bring a calm, practical approach to managing a busy and sometimes complex workload. You communicate clearly and respectfully, whether in writing, on the phone, or face to face, and you understand the importance of getting the details right.

You are comfortable working with processes and systems, and you apply good judgement when reviewing information and prioritising tasks. You’re a natural problem-solver who can think critically, ask questions when needed, and follow work through to completion. You work well independently while also valuing collaboration and shared responsibility within a team.

You bring an openness to learning and a genuine commitment to values-based practice. You are building your understanding of te ao Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and you’re keen to grow your cultural confidence over time. You approach your role with integrity, curiosity, and care – contributing positively to team culture and the experience of social workers engaging with the Board.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience  

You will have:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain processes clearly and respectfully to a wide range of people.
• Excellent customer service skills, with a calm, professional approach when responding to enquiries or supporting applicants through complex steps.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy, with the ability to manage applications, records, and data confidently within set processes.
• Sound judgement and analytical thinking, including the ability to apply a risk lens and recognise when matters need escalation.
• Good time management and organisational skills, enabling you to prioritise work, meet deadlines, and manage a busy caseload.
• Ability to work independently while contributing positively to a collaborative, values‑led team environment.

What’s in it for you? | Nōu te rourou

• Work that matters – you will contribute directly to understanding and shaping the social work workforce across Aotearoa, work that has real consequences for communities and whānau.
• A unique vantage point – the SWRB sits at the intersection of regulation, workforce intelligence, and government policy, giving you access to data, relationships, and conversations few organisations can offer.
• A values-driven culture that takes He Arapaki (our Māori Development Framework) and Te Tiriti obligations seriously.
• A collaborative environment
• Hybrid working, with a Wellington CBD location.

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 Sunday, 19 April at 5:00pm.