Senior Policy Advisor I Strategy and Policy

• Operate in a quickly evolving policy environment 
• Engage with a diverse range of stakeholders 
• Wellington based
• Fixed-term or secondment opportunity through to December 2026 
• Salary: $110,098 - $138,028 + Kiwisaver

The Strategy and Policy team in Kānoa – RD are leading the policy implementation of the Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF). The RIF is a coalition Government commitment to establish a $1.2 billion fund to grow regional economies by investing in new and existing infrastructure projects. It aligns with the Government’s five pillars to rebuild the economy, including building infrastructure for growth and resilience.

This is a great opportunity for an experienced senior policy advisor looking to gain a different experience. It could also be very useful in helping a senior advisor gain the skills needed to move to a principal policy advisor role in the future.
You will have the opportunity to:
 

• Enhance political savvy – helping establish a significant fund that has a high level of political and public interest
• Design for implementation & communication – working with internal and external stakeholders across a broad range of subject areas to ensure that the policy intent is an operational reality
• Develop domain knowledge – specific fund development and regional development expertise
• Coach and mentor team members – work with an enthusiastic but reasonably junior policy team to help build their capability

The work of the Kānoa - RDU Strategy and Policy team stretches from traditional policy development, to providing strategic advice on individual funding proposals, through to the development of cutting-edge tools and frameworks.
 

Skills and Experience Required
 

We are looking for a policy professional who can apply their skills across a range of policy and operational problems. You will be skilled at working across diverse teams, groups and subject matter areas. 

Ideally you will have: 
 

• Experience leading complex policy projects within central government
• Knowledge, or a willingness to gain an understanding, of Te Ao Māori, Te Tiriti o Waitangi and how they apply in the public sector; and ability to promote the use of Tikanga and Te Reo Māori internally
   
• Knowledge, or a willingness to gain an understanding, of the Public Finance Act 
• Wide-ranging knowledge of policy development disciplines and processes
• Strong stakeholder relationship building, influencing and engagement skills to gain the cooperation and commitment of others
• Demonstrated capability in working with Ministers, senior public service officials, internal and external stakeholders
• Passion for leading and coaching others to develop their policy craft and take their careers to the next level
• The ability to work through ambiguity and deliver results.

MBIE's goal is to create a resilient and high-performing economy that delivers real and ongoing quality of life for all New Zealanders.

We do this by working with others to create an environment that supports businesses to be more productive and internationally competitive, enables all New Zealanders to participate in the economy through improved job opportunities and by working to ensure quality housing is more affordable.

People are at the heart of our mahi, our way of working is guided by our values which shape our behaviours.

• Mahi Tahi – Better Together
• Māia – Bold and brave
• Pae Kahurangi – Build our Future
• Pono Me Te Tika – Own It

Our aspirations are echoed in our Māori identity – Hīkina Whakatutuki – which broadly means ‘lifting to make successful'.

MBIE recognises the partnership founded under Te Tiriti o Waitangi between Māori and the Crown and is committed to giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We will do this through enduring, meaningful and effective partnerships with iwi, Māori, other Māori groups/organisations and the Crown, as this is critical to enable economic and social development, both for Māori and for wider Aotearoa New Zealand. We are committed to continuing to partner with iwi in order to find new sustainable solutions to address long standing systemic and cross-cutting issues facing Māori and wider Aotearoa New Zealand and we are also committed to identifying opportunities for iwi to lead and creating an enabling environment for iwi to leverage these opportunities.

E mōhio ana a Hīkina Whakatutuki i puea ake te kōtuinga I waenganui i a ngāi Māori me te Karauna i Te Tiriti o Waitangi, ā, kei te whai ia ki te whakaū ake i Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Mā te whai kiko o ngā kōtuinga ahungaroa o ngāi wi, o ngāi Māori, me ētahi atu rōpū Māori ki te Karauna, katutuki tēnei. He āhuatanga nui tēnei e āhei ai ngā mahi whanaketanga ā-ohanga, ā-pāpori hoki ki a ngāi Māori me Aotearoa whānui. E whai tonu ana mātou ki te kōtui atu ki ngā iwi mō te rapu huarahi hou ki te whakaara i ngā kaupapakua roa nei e tāmi ana i a ngāi Māori me Aotearoa whānui, ā, e whai ana hoki ki te tautohu i ngā āheinga kōkiritanga mā ngā iwi, me te tautoko i ngā iwi kia whai mana ake ai ēnei āheinga.

Click here to view a position description. All applications must be submitted via our online process and include a Cover Letter and CV outlining your interest and suitability for the role.

Email Demi Matheson at demi.matheson@mbie.govt.nz quoting ref MBIE/16055 if you have any further questions.

Applications close on Sunday, 17 November (midnight).