Service Designer

[REDACTED] is a tribal organisation responsible for developing and implementing initiatives which improve iwi outcomes in the areas of education and training, employment, tribal preservation, marae development, health and wellbeing, environmental and resource management.

We exist to continually build the foundations which support every tribal member to exercise their mana motuhake and grow their confidence and capacity to shape and create their own prosperous futures.

Moo te tuunga | About the role

Mokopuna Ora is a kaupapa Maaori strengths-based and whaanau-led model of care and protection. We work to ensure whaanau and hapuu can be actively involved in decision-making on how their mokopuna can remain safely in their care, while reducing the number of Waikato iwi mokopuna entering and remaining in the care and protection system. In situations where mokopuna are unable to be cared for by their whaanau, hapuu, or iwi, we support their connection to their whakapapa and cultural identity.

Mokopuna Ora is at a watershed moment, Oranga Tamariki is seeking to devolve its statutory functions to the community. In response we are entering a period of discovery, feasibility and service design where we will focus on developing our own indigenous care and protection model.

The Service Designer – Mokopuna Ora leads the design and continuous development of a culturally grounded, whaanau-centred care and protection service model.

This role is for someone who can turn the experiences, needs and aspirations of mokopuna, whaanau and hapori into practical services, pathways and design solutions.

Working alongside Mokopuna Ora kaimahi, leaders, whaanau and partners, you will help:

• Lead culturally safe discovery, research, engagement and co-design
• Translate whaanau voice, frontline experience, research and evidence into actionable insights
• Design future-state service models, journey maps, service blueprints and end-to-end pathways
• Facilitate inclusive waananga, hui, workshops and co-design activities
• Prototype, test and refine service concepts, processes and tools
• Connect the intended whaanau experience with the people, practice, technology, partnerships and infrastructure needed to deliver it
• Identify risks, barriers and unintended consequences early
• Establish meaningful outcomes and measures and provide clear, evidence-based design advice
• Ensure service design aligns with Ki Tua o Ngaku Mokopuna (our cultural practice framework), Ngaa Maataapono o Te Kiingitanga and Whakatupuranga 2050

This role suits someone who combines service-design expertise with strong systems thinking, cultural awareness and facilitation skills. You will be comfortable navigating complexity, bringing diverse perspectives together and turning insights into clear, practical solutions.

Ngaa puumanawatanga oou | What you will bring

You will bring service-design experience gained within complex social services, public sector, health, community or iwi/Maaori-led environments.

We are looking for someone who demonstrates:

• Experience applying human-centred, whaanau-centred and systems-thinking approaches
• Strong discovery, research, engagement and insight-synthesis skills
• Experience designing and facilitating culturally safe hui, waananga, workshops and co-design activities
• Experience developing service models, journey maps, service blueprints and end-to-end pathways
• The ability to prototype, test and refine services, processes and tools using feedback and evidence
• The ability to analyse complex issues and develop clear, accessible and decision-ready advice
• Strong relationship-building and collaboration skills across organisational and sector boundaries
• The ability to navigate ambiguity and phased delivery while maintaining momentum

You will be comfortable moving between big-picture service design and detailed development and testing, ensuring mokopuna and whaanau voice remains central throughout.

Relevant training or qualifications are required. Experience in care and protection, child and whaanau wellbeing, related social services or te ao Maaori contexts would be advantageous. Knowledge of [REDACTED] history and governance, along with proficiency or developing proficiency in te reo Maaori, will also be valued.

Noou te rourou | What’s in it for you

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to work that has real and lasting impact for mokopuna and whaanau.

You will be part of a values-led organisation grounded in Kiingitanga, working in an environment where your thinking, insight and relationships help shape how eco-systems respond and evolve for the better.

Me peehea te tuku tono | How to apply

To apply for this role, please submit your Curriculum Vitae and a tailored cover letter. Your cover letter should highlight your experience and provide examples that demonstrate your ability to operate at a strategic level and influence complex outcomes.

Your CV and your cover letter will form an important part of the shortlisting process.

This position will remain open until a suitable candidate has been appointed.

For a copy of the position description, please use the link below. If the link is not clickable, copy and paste it into your browser. For further paatai, please contact [REDACTED] at [REDACTED].