Policy Graduates Program
At MSD, we value your unique perspective and potential. We bring together extraordinary people, like you, to be part of our whānau, a dynamic community of problem solvers who thrive on embracing differences and influencing initiatives that impact the lives of people throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.
We provide you with the foundations for success, and the opportunity to fast-track to a permanent policy analyst role advising the Government of the day.
You’ll be joining a supportive, values driven and team-based workplace to launch your policy career
Over the course of our one-year grad programme you will work in two of our policy teams. Given MSD’s broad mandate, you could be providing policy advice to Ministers on addressing child poverty, improving housing outcomes, employment programmes or community development. Across all these work areas we are continually thinking about how we support the Crown in its relationship with Māori under Te Tiriti o Waitangi and how we can deliver better for Māori. The opportunities to learn are endless.
You will be part of a cohort of other talented graduates who all start together. This peer network gives you another layer of support, with opportunities for collaboration and comradery as you share early career experiences together.
Policy work is as diverse as the people who work in policy – the only requirement is a degree, any degree
We are looking for people who are critical thinkers, problem solvers, and willing to learn. Don’t be concerned about your GPA or type of degree, just as long as you graduated in the last 2-3 years. We are more interested in people who are collaborative, responsible, curious, enthusiastic and share our values.
We want to hear from you if you can support our goals to be an uplifting environment for all Māori staff, understand the diverse perspectives of Māori and be stewards of exceptional social policy outcomes for Māori.
We celebrate an inclusive and diverse workforce, including through our staff networks for Pasifika, disabled people, Rainbow and Māori staff.
Rosie Anderson, Principal Advisor
Having studied Law and Politics, I joined MSD’s Grad Programme in 2017 because it gave me the chance to create positive change for New Zealanders. The Programme was challenging and rewarding and gave me a really strong basis for the other roles I’ve had. The training, development and support provided enabled me to build policy skills quickly and learn about what type of policy I was most interested in. In my first year alone I helped develop an Outcomes Framework for the New Zealand Disability Strategy, worked on the Vulnerable Children’s Action Plan as well as opportunities to do cross-agency work and public engagement. Since the programme I’ve primarily worked on population policy throughout my career, including policy for disabled people, carers, children and young people and now older people.
Theo Lyster, Senior Advisor Budget
Starting my career in government in the MSD grad programme helped me to develop many of the skills I still rely on today – such as my written communication skills for senior leaders and Ministers. I also built a lot of relationships across MSD, and learned lots about the machinery of government and the work that MSD does – which I have carried into my current role in the Budget Team.
I did a Bachelor of Commerce at Victoria University, majoring in Economics and Public Policy. Working for MSD has given me great opportunities to be involved in some really important work whilst developing in my career. Being part of the grad programme made it less daunting starting my first job at a government agency – there were a bunch of people to become friends with, as well as lots of other support, including a buddy and a mentor, plus lots of training and development. The wider Policy branch is also just very supportive of the grads in general!
Shania Howard, Senior Policy Analyst
After completing my Bachelor of Arts majoring in Anthropology and Indigenous Development at Waikato University, I started as an MSD Customer Service Representative. I was fresh out of university and just wanted to work for an organisation that helps people. Over time I decided I wanted to be in a space where we make a difference for all whānau, today and for the years to come. When I applied for the policy grad programme I really didn’t understand what Policy was but I felt like I had skills, experiences and knowledge to bring a different perspective. Being a grad and then moving into an analyst role at MSD has been incredible for my career. While I was a grad I learnt how to ask the right questions, deal with ambiguity and navigate changes. Through the grad programme I also formed great relationships and connections across the Ministry that have continued to be invaluable to the work I do. I honestly don’t think I’d be where I am in my career if I didn’t get the chance to do the grad programme and remain incredibly grateful for the experience.
Join Our Talent Community
Keep in Touch
If you are interested in hearing more, including receiving a link to the application once it is live, please email us at Policy_Graduates@msd.govt.nz.
Join Our Talent Community
Keep in Touch
If you are interested in hearing more, including receiving a link to the application once it is live, please email us at Policy_Graduates@msd.govt.nz.
There are currently no open positions matching this category or location.
Receive emails by subscribing to jobs matching Policy Graduates Program when they are posted.
The 0 most recent jobs posted by Ministry of Social Development are listed below for your convenience.
Watch jobs in this category
