Vacancies at DCM

We currently have multiple roles open across our organisation.

DCM has a supportive and friendly culture with a reputation for working on some of the biggest issues in Wellington, supporting people to break the cycle of homelessness and find recovery, wholeness and reconnection.

A day in the life of a DCM kaimahi (staff member) is diverse, interesting, energising, and extremely satisfying. If you would like to experience such a day, please have a look at our film clip here.

The roles we have open are as follows:

- Manahautū (Chief Executive)

We are seeking a Chief Executive who is a strong, visible, and inclusive leader, bringing strategic clarity, a mana-enhancing approach to service delivery, and outstanding skills in building and maintaining relationships across the sector and with key stakeholders.

Reporting to the Board, you will lead the development of DCM’s strategic direction and oversee the core services and performance of the team. You’ll champion DCM’s purpose and impact, inspire and motivate staff and stakeholders, and continue to strengthen DCM’s reputation, relationships, and resources.

What you’ll do                                                                         

• Lead the development and delivery of DCM’s strategic and business plans

• Build trusted relationships with government, funders, partners, media, key decision-makers and stakeholders

• Oversee DCM’s core services: Piki te Ora (Wellness Services), Piki te Kaha (Housing Support Services), and Piki te Maramatanga (Learning and Insights)

• Identify opportunities and risks that influence DCM’s growth, sustainability, and impact

• Grow and diversify funding streams to support DCM’s Kaupapa

• Represent and advocate for DCM’s purpose and kaupapa, promoting access to housing, improved wellbeing, and systemic change

• Lead, support and inspire a dedicated team, including seven direct reports

• Foster a values-led and inclusive culture grounded in manaakitanga, integrity, continuous improvement, and evidence-based practice

• Ensure sound financial management, reporting, and accountability across the organisation

What we’re looking for

• Proven Chief Executive (or equivalent) experience in the social services, health, or not-for-profit sectors

• Strategic thinker with a track record of turning vision into action and impact

• Inspirational people leader who brings authenticity, empathy, and high emotional intelligence

• A connector and collaborator with a track record of success in building and maintaining exceptional relationships across Board, sector and community stakeholders

• Strong financial acumen, with experience managing budgets, contracts and risk

• Confident communicator with advocacy, media, and public engagement experience

• Knowledge of government systems, funding environments, and sector dynamics

• Deep commitment to te Tiriti o Waitangi and embedding bi-cultural practice throughout an organisation

• Passion for creating lasting change, with empathy for vulnerable communities and a belief in housing, connection, and dignity for all

• A relevant tertiary qualification in social work or a related discipline, or equivalent experience

You can find the full job description HERE.

To apply, send your CV and a cover letter to Ngan Nguyen or Kirsty McLaren by Sunday 10 August 2025.

A position description is available at mclaren.co.nz or call them on 04 4991069.

- Coordination Lead Role at DCM

Are you ready to lead a transformative initiative addressing chronic homelessness in Wellington? We're seeking a strategic, collaborative, and culturally grounded leader to design and deliver a new multi-agency coordination service.

Downtown Community Ministry, in partnership with Wellington City Council, Wellington City Mission, and He Herenga Kura are coming together to create a sector-led, coordinated approach to improving outcomes for whānau experiencing chronic homelessness in Wellington. Through strengthening cross-agency collaboration, strategic planning, collective resourcing, shared leadership, and systemic advocacy we hope to see the number of people rough sleeping in our city reduce as people are supported into permanent housing and achieving their personal goals and aspirations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead service design and implementation in partnership with governance and operational leaders.

• Facilitate cross-sector collaboration and multi-disciplinary planning forums.

• Manage a small team and oversight of flexi-funding available to support whānau out of crisis

• Champion culturally responsive approaches, especially for Māori and Pacific communities.

• Liaise with key workers and partner agencies to support development and coordination of comprehensive action plans, incorporating all available insights

• Advocate for systemic change using insights from frontline coordination

You bring:

• Tertiary qualification in social work, public health, community development, public policy, or related field, or equivalent professional experience.

• Experience in service design, coordination, or systems leadership.

• Strong facilitation and relationship-building skills.

• Demonstrate commitment to upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi and ensuring Māori aspirations, tikanga, and perspectives are embedded in service design and delivery.

• Strategic thinking and a solutions-focused mindset.

Please note that this is a 12-month fixed-term role.

You can find the full job description HERE.

A day in the life of a DCM employee is diverse, interesting, energising, and extremely satisfying. If you would like to experience such a day, please have a look at our film clip below or here: https://youtu.be/y3jDqD7jH7E

This is a unique opportunity to shape a new service from the ground up, working alongside passionate partners to make a lasting impact in our community.

If this sounds like a team culture you want to be part of and lead then send us your up-to-date CV and a cover letter via Seek.

If you would like further information about the role, please email HR@dcm.org.nz

- Kaiārahi (Team Leader) to join our amazing Piki Te Ora Pou

We are a values-based organisation; our mission is to provide mana-enhancing services to empower people to reach their social and housing aspirations.

We have a supportive, high performing and fun team who have a reputation for working on some of the biggest issues in Wellington, supporting people to break the cycle of homelessness, and to find recovery, wholeness and reconnection. 

Piki Te Ora focuses on building relationships with individuals through assertive outreach and on-site frontline and duty service.  

The successful applicant will be a qualified and registered Social Worker with the following qualities:

• can evidence effective leadership skills

• is invested in the growth and development of staff

• is experienced in stakeholder engagement

• is able to demonstrate competent professional practice

• be committed to bi-cultural practice and the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

 Our service charter guides our team members to be honest, vulnerable and open, be invested in one-another’s professional development and growth, forgive each other, be empathetic and kind, be patient and accept our differences, have healthy debates, have each other’s backs, trust each other and have fun together.

You can find the full job description HERE.

A day in the life of a DCM kaimahi is diverse, interesting, energising, and extremely satisfying. If you would like to experience such a day, please have a look at our film clip below or here: https://youtu.be/y3jDqD7jH7E

If this sounds like a team culture you want to be part of and lead then send us your up-to-date CV and a cover letter HR@dcm.org.nz

- Social Workers

Are you someone who is solutions-focused, creative, and willing to roll up your sleeves and do whatever it takes to see people thrive? Are you looking for a job where you can support some of Wellington’s most marginalised to achieve greater wellbeing in life? 

We are looking for social workers to join the:

• Piki te Kaha Pou - Aro Mai Housing First -This role involves working directly with whānau to move them from homelessness into housing, then providing intensive wraparound support and regular home visits to ensure they sustain their tenancy.

• Piki te Ora Pou - this role involves building relationships with individuals through assertive outreach and duty/triage/assessment services. You will need to be able to quickly assess needs, strengths, risks, and create individual case plans and provide support to address urgent and immediate needs.

A qualification in Social Work is required for these roles. 

You will need excellent rapport-building skills, be non-judgmental, highly organised and a good team player. Commitment to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi is essential.

We acknowledge that the work we do is intensive and therefore believe strongly in a good work/life balance, on-going training, and supervision. DCM offers unlimited sick leave and is committed to employee wellbeing. 

A day in the life of a DCM kaimahi is diverse, interesting, energising, and extremely satisfying. If you would like to experience such a day, please have a look at our film clip below or here: https://youtu.be/Q4zpD6xk4rU?si=7OSA7ZF2fVj1d-2r and visit our website – https://www.dcm.org.nz/ – for some inspiring stories.

You can find the full Piki te Kaha Social Worker job description HERE.

You can find the full Piki te Ora Social Worker job description HERE.

If you are interested in applying for a role with us, please send an up-to-date CV and cover letter at HR@dcm.org.nz

- Kaiāwhina (Peer Support Worker) to join our Piki te Kaha Pou in Wellington.

The role of Kaiāwhina Piki te Kaha involves working directly with whānau to move them from homelessness into housing and providing intensive wrap around supports and regular home visits to ensure whānau are able to reach their housing and social aspirations. Kaiāwhina Piki te Kaha work with whānau who are at risk of losing their home, to address their health concerns, live adequately on their income and manage their debt, and to connect to their whānau and other supports.

The successful applicant will have the following qualities:

• Reliability, punctuality and flexibility.

• Able to engage and connect with taumai.

• Require a good level of physical fitness – Duties may include lifting, carrying, standing for long periods and working in varying conditions.

• Able to carry out instructions.

• Respect the need for confidentiality.

• Commitment to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

• Be aware of and sensitive to cultural differences.

• A willingness to proactively contribute to your team, by supporting your team mates and giving and receiving feedback.

• An understanding of the importance of following safety policies and practices to keep everyone safe.

• Willing to undertake training to upskill as needed.

• A full driver’s licence is preferable.

A day in the life of a DCM Kaiāwhina is diverse, interesting, energising, and extremely satisfying. If you would like to experience such a day, please have a look at our film clip below or here: https://youtu.be/Q4zpD6xk4rU?si=7OSA7ZF2fVj1d-2r and visit our website – https://www.dcm.org.nz/ – for some inspiring stories.

You can find the full job description HERE.

To apply, please send your up-to-date CV and a cover letter (stating the role you are applying for) to HR@dcm.org.nz.

- Kaiāwhina (Peer Support Worker) to join our Piki te Ora Pou in Wellington.

The role of Kaiāwhina Piki te Ora work within DCM’s Piki te Ora Pou. The role involves working with whānau who are rough sleeping, street begging and living in cars, supporting and motivating them to set out on a journey to sustainable housing and greater wellbeing. At Te Hāpai (a safe space at DCM for whānau experiencing homelessness), kaiāwhina engage with whānau to triage and support their needs, provide manaakitanga through hospitality, and refer to other DCM services as needed.

The successful applicant will have the following qualities:

• Reliability, punctuality and flexibility.

• Able to engage and connect with whanau.

• Require a good level of physical fitness – Duties may include lifting, carrying, standing for long periods and working in varying conditions.

• Able to carry out instructions.

• Respect the need for confidentiality.

• Commitment to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

• Be aware of and sensitive to cultural differences.

• A willingness to proactively contribute to your team, by supporting your team mates and giving and receiving feedback.

• An understanding of the importance of following safety policies and practices to keep everyone safe.

• Willing to undertake training to upskill as needed.

• A full driver’s licence is preferable.

A day in the life of a DCM Kaiāwhina is diverse, interesting, energising, and extremely satisfying. If you would like to experience such a day, please have a look at our film clip below or here: https://youtu.be/Q4zpD6xk4rU?si=7OSA7ZF2fVj1d-2r and visit our website – https://www.dcm.org.nz/ – for some inspiring stories.

You can find the full job description HERE.

To apply, please send your up-to-date CV and a cover letter (stating the role you are applying for) to HR@dcm.org.nz.