Principal Research Advisor

New Zealand Police is working with the community to make New Zealanders be safe and feel safe. With over 13,000 staff, we provide policing services 24 hours a day, every day. We operate by land, sea and air, manage over 860,000 emergency calls a year and are always actively preventing crime and crashes. We’re working towards specific goals and targets that highlight our intent to work collaboratively with iwi and communities, other government sectors and business partners to deliver ‘Our Business’ and achieve long-term change. Principal Research Advisor * Based at Police National Headquarters * Permanent – Full Time * JR 5724860 E tῡ ki te kei o te waka, kia pakia koe e ngā ngaru o te wā. Stand at the stern of the canoe and feel the spray of the future biting at your face. Mō te tūnga | About the role The Principal Research Advisor is a crucial role within the CIP team. The Principal works collegially with the CIP Manager to lead and guide the team, ensuring its work and outputs are of the highest standard, and that they provide operationally valuable evidence. Equally, it builds and maintains strong collegial working relationships within the Operational Capability Team and NZ Police colleagues, as well as with other key external stakeholders. Could this be the role for you? Consider these questions: * Do you want to support Police frontline capability enhancement? * Do you want to work in an area that contributes significantly to NZ Police core strategic goals, such as: safety, harm prevention, and public trust and confidence? * Do you want to make an evidence-based contribution to policing and criminal justice? * Do you want to undertake research and analysis that’s operationally grounded and relevant? * Are you a seasoned researcher, who is already operating at a Principal level, and is looking for a new challenge? Or are you an established Senior Researcher looking for your next step? If so, read on, this may be the role for you … Key Accountabilities * Be a technical research and analysis lead on behalf of the CIP and Op Capability Teams. * Design, lead, manage, and deliver (as necessary) key research and analysis work for the CIP Team. * Oversee and guide other team members in their work. * Coach, mentor, and develop other members of the team, to ensure continued capability enhancement. * Support the CIP Manager in the design and delivery of a CIP strategic work programme, and other teamwork. Mō te kapa | About the team NZ Police is seeking a Principal Research Advisor to join its Capability Insights and Performance (CIP) Team, based in the Operational Capability Group at Police National Headquarters in Wellington. The role of Operational Capability Group is to lead and enhance frontline capability, in support of organisational strategic goals like safety, harm prevention, and public trust and confidence. The CIP team undertakes research and analysis work, providing the evidence base through which sound operational decisions can be made, progress and performance can be monitored, and improvement needs can be identified and addressed. CIP research and analysis work covers areas of focus like: * The risk environment in which frontline Police staff operate * The use of tactical and protective equipment by Police staff * The introduction of new equipment, such as TASER * Public order policing and the management of people in custody. He aha taau e kawe mai | What you’ll bring To be successful in this role you will bring: * A strong interest in policing and criminal justice. * Sound technical knowledge and skills in the areas of research and analysis – including research theory and methodology – and the ability to translate these into approaches and insights that are operationally valuable. * Experience in all areas of the research process – design through to delivery – and in undertaking different types of research/applying different methods. * The adaptability and flexibility required to deliver research in a highly practical and operational environment. * The proven ability to communicate research findings simply and effectively to a variety of audiences, particularly operational audiences. * Experience of coaching, mentoring, and supporting more junior staff, to ensure continued development and improvement within the team. * The proven ability to work effectively in partnership with colleagues and stakeholders to deliver the insights required to enhance practice. Whilst we are looking for skills, knowledge, and experience that are relevant to the role, we also place high importance on your state of mind, the alignment of your values with ours, your ability to contribute to and build high performing teams, and the way that you lead yourself or others. Whakaritenga motuhake | Special requirements * A postgraduate qualification in a relevant subject field (or alternatively a comparable level of research expertise demonstrated in another context). * The ability to work in Wellington. Please note: while this role is a Nationally Advertised Vacancy, it is based in Wellington, and the successful applicant must be able to work at the physical location of Police National Headquarters. * Occasional travel may be required. * For Constabulary employees only, you will need: * A Current CPK at the rank of the vacancy you are applying for (Senior Sergeant). This role is Individual Contributor/Emerging Leader level. You can refer to Indicators for Success for further information on the requirements To view the position description for this role, please clink below: Principal Research Advisor – Capability Mo tātou | About us New Zealand Police is the lead agency responsible for preventing crime and enhancing community safety. It works in partnership with individuals, communities, businesses, and other public sector agencies towards the vision of making New Zealand the safest country. Police is the government’s largest front-line response agency with around 15,000 staff in large and small communities all over New Zealand and in liaison and policing development roles overseas. Your development is highly valued at NZ Police. Our employees enjoy significant investment in their development not only at an individual level, but also at the team and community practice level. We work hard to match you with work that will both play to your strengths and challenge you in new ways. The work you’ll be engaged in is real, tangible work that directly benefits our frontline and communities. Taken all together, this means we can offer you career path opportunities to progress in your chosen profession and become a more well-rounded, experienced leader, with opportunities across the range of work we support. To view more detailed information about our recruitment process along with further details about requirements please click below link: Applicant Information Pack (External) Tono ināianei | Apply now If this position sounds like you, click apply now and submit a tailored CV. You will be required to submit an application form. Before confirmation of hire, pre-employment checks will be undertaken which include reference, drug and alcohol testing and police vetting prior to any written offer being made. For further information on the application process, please copy and paste this URL: https://www.police.govt.nz/careers All applications must be submitted online and will not be accepted directly via email. All applicants must have the right to work in New Zealand. Utu ā-tau | Salary
This position is covered by a collective agreement and salary will commence between $110,425 and $117,014 dependent on skills and experience relevant to the role. If you are an internal applicant, you must apply internally through the police system. You must provide an alternative contact email address and state your future commitments should you be successful in the next stage of the recruitment process. Please note: Deadline for applications is 5:00 pm on Wednesday 4th February 2026. Applications may be reviewed prior to the close date as well as contact made with candidates. If you have any questions about this vacancy, please contact Talent Pathway Advisor [email protected]