Principal Academic Staff Member - Social Work

Permanent, Full Time

• Lead social work education and academic practice excellence
• Bring industry expertise and proven teaching experience
• Champion Te Tiriti o Waitangi and learner success

Ready to shape the future of social work? Join Ara and inspire learners, influence practice, and make a lasting impact.

Mō Tēnei Tūranga Mahi – About the Role

Join Ara Institute of Canterbury and play a leading role in shaping the next generation of social work professionals. As a Principal Academic Staff Member, you will provide academic leadership across our Social Work programmes, delivering high-quality teaching, curriculum development, and industry engagement that reflects the principles of social justice, bicultural practice, and learner success. Drawing on your extensive social work experience, you'll mentor and support academic staff, foster strong relationships with industry and community partners, and contribute to innovative, future-focused education that positively impacts individuals, whānau, and communities.

Ngā Pūkenga Me Ngā Wheako – Skills and Experience

• Registered Social Worker with a current Annual Practising Certificate
• Master's degree (or equivalent combination of qualifications and professional experience)
• Recognised adult teaching qualification (e.g. NZCATT)
• Minimum eight years' social work practice experience
• Experience in tertiary education, teaching, training, or mentoring
• Strong connections with Māori social service providers and communities
• Passion for social work education and student success
• Proven leadership skills and the ability to support and develop others
• Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and culturally responsive practice

Essential requirements: Current Social Worker Registration, significant social work practice and teaching experience, and a completed Ara recognised adult teaching. Applications that do not meet these requirements will not be considered.

Mō Mātou – About us

Ara Institute of Canterbury is the South Island's largest provider of tertiary vocational education, helping people build better futures - and that starts with our people.

Every day, our kaimahi help students gain real skills for real careers through hands-on learning and strong industry connections.

The Madras Street (City) campus brings engineering, architecture, music, trades, health and creative arts together in the heart of Christchurch, right next door to One New Zealand Stadium.

We offer tangible benefits: income protection for permanent kaimahi over 15 hours, fee discounts on Ara courses for staff, professional development leave and funding, two on-site early childhood centres, generous leave provisions, and an annual Christmas closedown to enjoy time with whanau and friends. A gym, library and cafés complete the picture.

Guided by our values Hono | Connect, Hihiri | Inspire and Aroha | Respect, we're committed to equity, inclusion and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

If you're looking for work that matters, Ara could be your next chapter.

Tono Ināianei - Apply now

We accept applications via our online application system. For any other queries, please email Sign in to view email.

Rā Katinga - Applications close – 11.55pm 29 July

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may take place prior to the close date. This means we reserve the right to close a job ad before the advertised close date.

Job Details

Reference #

24056

Posted on

22 Jul 2026

Closes on

29 Jul 2026 23:55

Location(s)

Central Christchurch

Expertise

Academic

Job level(s)

Experienced

Work type(s)

Permanent full-time