Innovation Analyst
Date: 14 Oct 2025
Location: Wellington, NZ
Company: Ministry of Social Development
- Craft engaging user experiences with cutting-edge technologies
- Translate complex ideas into visual stories and prototypes
- Collaborate across legal, policy, and tech teams to drive innovation
The Innovation Analyst will create visually interesting and engaging stories to tell stakeholders the outcome of investigations, and where to further invest in new emerging technologies.
Explore the future of tech in the social sector. Help MSD safely evaluate and prototype emerging technologies.
About our team | Mō te tīma:
Every week, around 1.4 million New Zealanders count on MSD for income support and services to connect with work, housing and better lives for their families.
Information Systems & Technology (IST) provides the technologies, innovation and expertise that enable MSD staff and partners to deliver these essential services, today and into the future.
We’re driving a once in a lifetime transformation of services for New Zealanders. IST is a key enabler of this change bringing together strategic thinkers, technology specialists and delivery leaders to design solutions and deliver change while keeping vital services running reliably every day.
The Emerging Technologies team promotes emerging technologies and gathers business challenges and opportunities. The team shapes prototypes that stakeholders can interact with. This new team will lead the AI development of AI strategies and guardrails. They collaborate with innovation teams in other government agencies to create a culture of embracing emerging technology across the social sector.
About the role | Mō te tūnga:
As part of MSD’s Emerging Technology team, you’ll help evaluate and prototype new technologies.
You’ll interview stakeholders to understand business challenges and design user experiences that demonstrate how emerging tech can make a difference.
You’ll also create visual stories to communicate findings and guide future investment.
Key responsibilities include:
- Understand capabilities of emerging technologies to design prototypes
- Identify business problems and match them with tech opportunities
- Gather user experience requirements, including accessibility and equity
- Create low-fidelity mock-ups and visualise future user experiences
- Collaborate with the Innovation Engineer to build high-fidelity prototypes
- Communicate results through visual design and storytelling
- Produce engaging newsletters, presentations, and short videos
- Promote emerging technologies across MSD and the wider social sector
- Contribute to policies and processes that support safe, fast tech evaluation
We’re committed to creating a workplace that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. Diverse perspectives strengthen our mahi, and we value the unique contributions everyone brings to the team.
Please contact us if there is any support that we can provide to ensure the recruitment process is accessible to you.
What you bring | Ōu pūmanawatanga:
- Proven experience in large, complex technology environments
- Comfortable working in Agile settings
- Proven advisory skills in multi-stakeholder environments
- A deep understanding of emerging technologies and product lifecycle trends
- Experience in user experience research and design frameworks
- Proven ability to gather UX requirements and feedback
- Experienced in creating UX/UI mock-ups and prototypes
- Strong communication skills including written, graphic, and video creation
- Curious, creative, and passionate about innovation
Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga:
A copy of the position description can be found here. Innovation Analyst position description
Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $103,846.00 - $125,998.00
Applications close | Ka kati ngā tono hei te: Sunday 26 October 2025
About us | Mō mātou:
The Ministry of Social Development is a people-centred organisation. We’re in communities across the motu, working with partners to help New Zealanders be safe, strong and independent.
We provide social policy and advice to government and assistance, including income, employment and housing support to people of all ages, families, whānau and communities.
Our people are as diverse as the communities we serve. We care about the wellbeing and success of our people and provide a supportive and inclusive working environment where people can thrive and be who they are.
How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono:
To apply, click the 'Apply Now' button to upload your CV, cover letter and complete the online application form.
Note: Your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the key responsibilities listed in the position description.
All applications must be made online. If this is not possible or if you have any queries, please contact us at jobs@msd.govt.nz
Internal MSD Employees – please apply through your myHR portal at work. This will ensure that your myHR employee profile is visible as internal candidate.
Joining us | Ko te hono mai:
Joining MSD means being part of a whānau that celebrates the diversity each individual represents.
We show manaaki, we care about the wellbeing and success of people and want everyone to thrive and be who they are in a supportive and inclusive working environment. We work together to make a difference for communities while doing the right thing with integrity. You can find out more about our values here.
If you have any support or accessibility requirements, we encourage you to tell us when you apply so we can assist you through the recruitment process.
