Senior Analyst – Defence Assessment Team

About the role

We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Analyst to join the Ministry’s Defence Assessment Team. This senior practitioner role acts as a key deputy to the Director, leading independent work and supporting the team’s delivery programme across the Ministry and the New Zealand Defence Force.

Key responsibilities

• Lead assessments and reviews from scoping through to reporting.
• Produce high‑quality, evidence‑based advice for senior leaders and Ministers.
• Apply structured audit, assurance and evaluation methodologies to gather and assess evidence from documents, interviews and other sources.
• Contribute to the delivery and strategic direction of the team’s work programme.
• Coach and mentor junior analysts, raising the quality and consistency of assessment work.

Required profile

• Established experience in audit, assurance or evaluation environments.
• Proven track record leading end‑to‑end assessments, reviews or audits.
• Strong understanding of structured methodologies, including scoping, evidence gathering and forming defensible findings.
• Experience producing high‑quality written outputs for senior leaders, including Ministers.
• Confidence to stand behind and defend findings in scrutiny environments.

Required skills