Coach - Education Engagement

About us

Te Wānanga o Aotearoa (TWoA) is New Zealand’s second largest tertiary institution and the world’s largest indigenous tertiary educator, and we’ve been providing transformational education opportunities to New Zealanders for nearly 40 years.  Our vision of ‘Whānau transformation through education’ drives our commitment to being at the forefront of tertiary education underpinned by Māori culture and values. 

Our kaimahi (employees) enjoy a whānau-friendly workplace where everyone is encouraged to be themselves.  In return for their contribution, we offer kaimahi a range of benefits including:

• Tau Ora programmes that encourage wellbeing and inclusion.
• Free car parking.
• Flexible work hours and work-from-home options.

About the role

We are looking for a dedicated Education Engagement Coach to join our team on a 2-year full-time fixed term basis (January 2026 – December 2027), based in either Te Awamutu or Cambridge.

As our Education Engagement Coach, you will specialise in offering case management and a wrap-around service for eligible tamariki and rangatahi to identify barriers to education, and improve attendance at school. Your primary goal will be to guide and support tamariki and rangatahi to engage in education, and to facilitate access to social and health agency supports where applicable. Your expertise and commitment will play a crucial role in empowering young individuals, fostering their growth and facilitating their journey towards a successful future.

As an Education Engagement Coach, you will:

• Have excellent relationships with local schools, whānau and communities
• Understand the importance of regular school attendance and the drivers of absences or non enrolment 
• Complete a needs assessment and co-create an attendance improvement plan with chronically absent tamariki / rangatahi and whānau
• Support tamariki, rangatahi and whānau to access and engage with appropriate services to help to overcome barriers to participation in education.
• Provide ongoing case management and support for tamariki and rangatahi, while also working closely with their whānau and other support networks.
• Work closely with the referring school to assist the rangatahi to remain engaged in education and extra-curricular activities that foster overall wellbeing.Familiarity with attendance management systems and Ministry of Education codes is beneficial

About you

We are looking for a compassionate, culturally competent, and motivated individual who has a genuine passion for supporting tamariki and rangatahi to ignite a passion for learning.

You will also bring with you:

• A bachelor’s degree in social work, Education, Psychology, or similar.
• Certificate in Youth Work Level 4.
• 4+ years’ experience in social services, education or similar.
• 4+ years’ experience working with Māori or Pasifika.
• 4+ years' experience providing case management or mentoring tamariki or rangatahi
• A full NZ Driver’s License.

The above qualifications and experience are preferred but not essential, life and work experience will be taken into consideration.

As a kaupapa Māori organisation, your willingness to participate in cultural activities and develop an understanding of Āhuatanga Māori (values, culture and tikanga) is desirable.

This role also requires you to work within the standards of Ministry of Education and the values-driven service delivery of Te Wānanga O Aotearoa.

Apply today!

Have we outlined a role that matches your capabilities and aspirations, and a workplace that appeals?  Applications will close as soon as we have a suitable shortlist, so apply now.

A position description is available on our career’s website.  For any other queries, please email jobs@twoa.ac.nz