Policy Analyst - Older Peoples Policy team
Date: 16 Nov 2025
Location: Wellington, NZ
Company: Ministry of Social Development
• Wellington based
• 12 months Fixed term/secondment
Are you passionate about supporting and influencing social change for families, whanau, and individuals across Aotearoa New Zealand?
About us
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.
As a Te Tiriti o Waitangi partner we are committed to supporting and enabling Māori, whānau, hapū, Iwi and communities to realise their own potential and aspirations.
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.
About the role | Mō te tūnga:
We have an exciting opportunity for a motivated, passionate, and inquiring Policy Analyst to join our Older Peoples Policy team at the Ministry of Social Development (MSD). As one in five New Zealanders will be over the age of 65 by 2034, our team is focused on addressing critical social policy issues related to this growing population group.
The Older Peoples Policy team leads work on New Zealand Superannuation and the SuperGold Card, alongside strategic policy issues, to ensure that social supports and services across Government provide equitable opportunities to older people now and in the future. As a Policy Analyst in the team, you will be responsible for tackling some of New Zealand's biggest strategic challenges around an ageing population, including through progressing analysis and advice on older people experiencing multiple disadvantage.
To excel in this role, you should have a relevant educational background, excellent analytical and communication skills, and the ability to think outside the box.
We offer a range of diverse experiences from short to long-term work, the opportunity to brief Ministers, and access to an array of learning and development opportunities. In addition, we provide a supportive, flexible and inclusive team culture that encourages collaboration, professional growth but most importantly – fun!
If you want to make a difference for older New Zealanders and have the skills and experience we are looking for, then we encourage you to apply today.
What you bring | Ōu pūmanawatanga:
• providing or contributing to advice that is clear, well-reasoned and politically neutral
• bringing together evidence to draw conclusions (e.g. on key issues and their root causes)
• engaging with stakeholders and the community
• working collaboratively on projects both within and across agencies
We are keen to hear from those with previous Policy, or other related experience, who are interested in being involved in this important mahi.
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
• A working knowledge of social policy initiatives or community engagement experience would be an advantage.
Tā mātou e tuku ana | What we offer
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 | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga:
Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $79,200.00 - $95,873.00
How to apply
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.
Closing date: Sunday 23rd November, 2025.
Joining us
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. We are a Treaty partner committed to strengthening relationships with Māori, Hapū, Iwi and communities to realise their own potential and aspirations.
If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to tell us when you apply so we can assist you through the recruitment process.
MSD has a COVID-19 vaccination policy that encourages, but does not require, employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and its variants, unless the role is identified as requiring vaccination at the time.
