Principal Advisor - Sector Risk Assessments

About Us | Mō mātou

Help shape New Zealand's response to financial crime.

The Department of Internal Affairs is now New Zealand's sole Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) regulator. As we build a modern, risk-based, intelligence-driven regulatory system, we're looking for an experienced Principal Advisor to lead some of our most strategically important work.

This is a unique opportunity to influence how New Zealand understands and responds to money laundering and terrorist financing risks. You'll lead the development of Sector Risk Assessments that inform regulatory strategy, supervision, intelligence priorities, and operational decision-making across the AML/CFT system.

The role | Te tūnga

What you'll be doing

You'll lead the delivery of Sector Risk Assessments across a range of regulated sectors, bringing together intelligence, data, stakeholder insight, and regulatory expertise to identify where risks are greatest and where regulatory effort will have the biggest impact.

Working with government agencies, industry bodies, and regulated sectors, you'll:

• Lead complex risk assessments from initiation through to publication.
• Translate intelligence and analysis into practical regulatory insights and recommendations.
• Build strong relationships across the AML/CFT system while maintaining analytical independence.
• Manage multiple workstreams and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Provide expert advice to senior leaders on emerging risks, vulnerabilities, and trends.
• Help strengthen New Zealand's ability to detect, disrupt, and deter financial crime.

What you bring | Nōu te rourou

You'll be a strategic thinker with strong analytical capability and the ability to engage confidently with a diverse range of stakeholders.

We're particularly interested in candidates with

Significant experience in AML/CFT, financial crime, intelligence, risk assessment, or regulatory environments.

• Proven experience leading complex analytical or risk-based work programmes.
• Strong track record managing stakeholders and delivering results across multiple priorities in complex environments.
• Experience applying structured analytical, regulatory, or risk assessment methodologies.
• Strong knowledge of New Zealand's AML/CFT framework, regulatory system, and risk-based supervision approaches.
• Sound understanding of risk assessment methodologies, financial crime typologies, and sector vulnerabilities.
• Advanced strategic analysis, critical thinking, and judgement.
• Strong project planning and delivery capability.
• Clear, influential communication across technical and non-technical audiences.
• High attention to detail, quality assurance, and outcomes.

Why join us?

This is a rare opportunity to help shape the future of AML/CFT regulation in New Zealand during a period of significant transformation. Your work will directly influence how we understand risk, target regulatory activity, support sector compliance, and protect New Zealand from financial crime.

For you | Mōu

At the Department of Internal Affairs, we are committed to offering a collaborative and innovative culture where your perspective and ideas will be welcomed. We want our people to thrive within a culture of best practice, while being able to set and achieve goals and being encouraged to challenge the status quo.

To learn more about the diverse, important mahi we do at the Department and see why we're a great place to work check out our website https://www.dia.govt.nz/

Benefits - About Internal Affairs - Careers with us - Benefits - dia.govt.nz

The appointing range for this role is $137,963 - $171,688.

To review the full job description, please click here.

Location and tenure

This role can be based in Wellington or Auckland and is a fixed-term position through to 24 June 2027.

Apply now and help build a stronger, smarter, and more effective AML/CFT system for New Zealand.

How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono

Only New Zealand Citizens are eligable for this role.

We are unable to accept applications via email. Please click the apply button to submit your application.

We're committed to ensuring our application process is accessible to everyone. Please let us know if there is any support, we can provide to ensure the process is accessible to you.

Applications for this role close at 5pm, Sunday 5 July 2026. Please also note that you must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand to be considered for this role.

If you have any questions, please email Abi Bloy - [email protected]