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Start for FreeHarsh Vardhan
Programme Manager (National), Alcohol Harm Reduction Programme, Strategy, Engagement and Monitoring @Ministry of Health New Zealand
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WORK HISTORY
Programme Manager (National), Alcohol Harm Reduction Programme, Strategy, Engagement and Monitoring @Ministry of Health New Zealand
Wellington, NZ
New Zealand Public Service | Tier 4 People Leader. As a central civil servant within the Public Health Agency at the Ministry of Health, I lead a team of principal and senior policy advisers delivering New Zealand’s alcohol harm reduction work programme.This role involves providing strategy and policy advice to Health Ministers on alcohol harm reduction, setting direction in line with Government priorities and coordinating and monitoring the actions of health agencies and government partners working in this space.The Ministry holds overall responsibility for the Alcohol Levy (16.62 million annual revenue), and my team leads this work, including policy development, oversight of levy allocations and spending, and monitoring of levy-funded initiatives. We ensure the levy is effectively invested in initiatives that reduce alcohol-related harm and improve public health outcomes nationwide.
EDUCATION
St. Xavier's School, Hazaribagh
Senior Secondary Schooling, CBSE, Year 12, Science, including biology and maths
Massey University - Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa
Master of Management with merit
Massey University - Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa
Postgraduate Diploma with merit in Health Service Management
Utkal University
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, National Institute of Rehabilitation Training and Research
SKILLS
ABOUT HARSH VARDHAN
Public/civil servant and people leader with national experience in commissioning, policy, and system stewardship. I specialise in leading complex, multi-million-dollar programmes, building high-performing teams, and translating government priorities into deliverable, measurable outcomes. Currently a national programme manager (Tier 4 people leadership role) at the Ministry of Health, leading alcohol harm reduction strategy, policy, monitoring, and stakeholder engagement. I lead a team of principal and senior advisors to government of the day and oversee the strategic investment, allocation, and administration of New Zealand’s Alcohol Levy ($16.6m annually) to deliver population-level harm reduction outcomes. I have led large-scale national initiatives across women’s health, sexual and reproductive health, and public health portfolios, overseeing commissioning and contract management of approximately $50m annually. This work has included strategic planning, procurement, performance monitoring, and system improvement across multiple regions and providers. Earlier in my career, I held senior clinical leadership roles, leading multidisciplinary teams of up to 17 health professionals and overseeing 25+ improvement projects across various departments in a hospital setting, reporting directly to the Chief Medical Officer. This clinical foundation continues to inform my system-level leadership and commissioning approach. I bring strong experience in governance and the machinery of government, including board and advisory committee participation, preparing formal advice for Ministers, responding to parliamentary processes, and managing media engagement. I have served as a two-term President of New Zealand’s association of occupational therapists and remain committed to mentoring emerging leaders and contributing to the public good. Views expressed on LinkedIn are my own.
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