"Administrator - Pacific Peoples-2600387"

DIVISIONAL SERVICES & ADMINISTRATION | WHAKARATONGA TARI ME TE WHAKARITENGA 

VA‘A O TAUTAI – CENTRE FOR PACIFIC HEALTH

•    Full-time, Dunedin-based opportunity

•    Salary + 6.75% superannuation + five weeks’ annual leave

•    Supportive, inclusive, and culturally grounded work environment

About our team | Mō te tīma

Whakaratonga me ngā Whakaritenga-ā-Wāhanga | Divisional Services and Administration is a team of skilled professionals dedicated to delivering exceptional student and staff experiences through high-quality, confidential administrative support.

You will join the administration team supporting Va’a o Tautai – Centre for Pacific Health (the Va’a). The Va’a advances Pacific health, workforce development, education, and research, and works to improve health outcomes for Pacific peoples through culturally grounded, community-informed approaches.

The Va‘a collaborates closely with Pacific communities, health providers, and academic staff to strengthen Pacific leadership and capability across the health sector. It plays a vital role in supporting Pacific students and staff, and in embedding Pacific values, knowledge, and perspectives into health education and practice.

The role | Te mahi 

As the Pacific Peoples Administrator, you will be a key point of contact for academic, research, postgraduate, and teaching support within the Va’a. You will help ensure daily operations run smoothly while contributing to a welcoming, culturally safe environment for Pacific students, staff, and visitors. Your work will support the implementation of the University’s Pacific Strategic Framework through everyday administrative practice.

Key responsibilities include:

•    Welcoming Pacific students, staff, and visitors in a culturally appropriate and respectful manner.

•    Providing day-to-day administrative, pastoral, and coordination support for academic staff and students.

•    Supporting teaching, research, and programme administration, including scheduling, diary management, correspondence, and preparation of documents and information materials.

•    Coordinating meetings, events, workshops, fono, and visits involving Pacific community members and stakeholders.

•    Supporting engagement with Pacific communities and partners through culturally grounded administrative practices.

•    Contributing proactively to the smooth and effective operation of the Va’a.

Your skills and experience | Kā pūkeka me kā wheako

We are seeking a proactive, relationship-focused administrator with strong organisational skills and a genuine commitment to supporting Pacific student and staff success.

You will bring:

•    Experience in a busy administrative environment, ideally within health or education.

•    Strong customer service skills and a commitment to creating a welcoming, supportive experience.

•    Demonstrated Pacific cultural competence, including understanding Pacific values and protocols, and the ability to work confidently in multicultural settings.

•    Strong relationship-building skills, particularly with Pacific students, staff, and community stakeholders.

•    Experience working with Pacific communities or a strong commitment to developing these relationships.

•    Excellent organisational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage competing priorities.

•    Clear, professional written and verbal communication skills.

•    Sensitivity to and respect for cultural differences, especially in an educational context.

Pacific cultural capability for this role includes understanding Pacific values, supporting Pacific student and staff success, and building respectful, community-informed relationships. Proficiency in a Pacific language is welcome but not required.

Further details | Pūroko 

This is a permanent, full-time position (37.5 hours per week), based in Dunedin.

The appointment range for this role is $69,931 to $74,609, with a top of range of $80,285.

Applicants must have the right to live and work in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka | University of Otago is committed to diverse and inclusive thinking, people, and behaviours. We honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and value the contributions of staff from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

For further information, please contact Fran Cockerell using the details below.

Application | Tono 

To apply (including CV and cover letter), please click the Apply button below.

Applications quoting reference number 2600387 will close on Sunday, 15 March 2026.

Additional Information

Contact: Fran Cockerell

Position details: Job Description

Further Information: Department Website

Create an email with a link to this vacancy: Create email

Location: About Dunedin

Primary Location NZL-SI-Dunedin

Employment Status Permanent 

Salary Level and Range Level 5 (Range of Appointments $69,931 to $74,609, Top of Range $80,285)

Organisation Divisional Services and Administration (HealthSci)

Job Function Administrative and Operations Management