Senior Policy Analyst / Kaimātai Matua Kaupapa Here - Social Impact Policy Team

• Permanent Role
• Wellington Based

Are you passionate about supporting and influencing social change for families, whanau, and individuals across Aotearoa New Zealand? 

About the role / Te āhuatunga a te tūranga

We are seeking a motivated and inquiring Policy to join our Social Impact Policy Team at the Ministry of Social Development (MSD). We will provide you with a range of diverse experiences, from being involved in supporting short-term tangible change through to influencing longer-term strategic work. You will work both across MSD and with a range of agencies and stakeholders.

Social development is not just about being the ‘ambulance at the bottom of the cliff', but is about supporting long-term change that strengthens wellbeing and enhances the mana of all New Zealanders. 

The Social Impact Policy team provides meaningful policy advice to Government Ministers on a range of critical social policy issues including: 

• supporting the safety and capability building of the social sector workforce;
• overseeing changes to Social Workers Registration Act; 
• eliminating Family Violence and Sexual Violence; and 
• strengthening social cohesion across Aotearoa New Zealand. 

We work closely with a range of stakeholders including our Māori, Communities and Partnerships team within MSD and other government departments including the Social Workers Registration Board, Ministry of Ethnic Communities, Oranga Tamariki, Te Puna Aonui and many others. We also have close relationships with a range of community partners and stakeholders. 

Social Impact Policy is part of the Regional, Social and Inquiries Policy Group, within MSD's Policy Branch.

Skills and experience / He pūkenga tou

The core parts of the role will include: 

• providing or contributing to advice on complex issues independently and contributing to advice on highly complex issues
• bringing together evidence to draw conclusions (e.g. on key issues and their root causes)
• working collaboratively on projects both within and across agencies
• leading engagement with stakeholders and the community
• providing coaching and contributing to building the capability of people in your team.

We are interested in hearing about any form of experience, in policy or otherwise, you might have that would contribute to this role.

The qualities we value in a candidate include: 

• Strong analytical skills
• Clear communication skills
• Collaborative working style
• Perseverance
• Understanding of te Ao Māori and commitment to upholding Te Tiriti Waitangi
• Skills and experience working with ethnic communities
• A working knowledge of social sector commissioning processes would be an advantage. 

Organisation environment / Te taiao o te rōpū

It is important to us to: 

• prioritise your wellbeing and development
• provide a flexible working environment where you can learn from a supportive and collegial team of experienced policy professionals
• develop your career though the opportunities that come from a broad and varied work programme and our commitment to your ongoing professional development
• collaborate and support each other and we make sure everyone has the chance to develop and to take on new challenges
• value diversity of thinking and background – this informs the creation of responsive policy that reflects the communities we serve. 

MSD has several employee-led networks that build a sense of community for our people so that they can contribute, belong and thrive. Our employee-led networks include, but are not limited to:

• National Office Māori Staff Network - Te Tini ō te Raurearea
• Pasefika Helava
• Disablednetwork@MSD
• Proud@MSD
• Women's Network
• Pan Asian Network. 

MSD is a CareWise employer. We commit to showing manaaki to people in our MSD whānau with caring commitments.

Position Description

Senior Policy Analyst Position Description

Salary range: $112,372.00 - $136,429.00