Policy Analyst
Date: 19 Jun 2025
Location: Wellington, NZ
Company: Ministry of Social Development
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.
Policy Analyst
• Permanent Role, Wellington-based
Mō te tūnga / About the role
Are you passionate about making a difference for New Zealanders?
We are seeking a motivated Policy Analyst to join the Welfare System and Income Support Policy Group at the Ministry of Social Development / Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora (MSD).
The role is in the Income Support Policy team, which is responsible for producing policy advice on a range of issues concerning the design and administration of the income support system.
The team’s focus is on ensuring the financial assistance provided by MSD is effective and fit-for-purpose. This includes considering the impacts on financial incentives to work, the design and delivery of payments and the interactions of these payments with other systems.
The Welfare System and Income Support Policy Group is part of a busy, diverse, and friendly Policy Branch. The branch has a supportive team environment where people are focused on delivering high quality policy advice. We work hard to ensure policy settings reflect the diverse needs and wellbeing of New Zealanders while maintaining a strong focus on staff wellbeing and personal work/life balance. We pride ourselves on investing in, developing and supporting staff to reach their full potential.
The Policy Branch provides advice to several Ministerial portfolios, including: social development and employment; child wellbeing and poverty reduction; disability issues; housing; seniors; and youth. The Policy Branch works closely with other teams within the Ministry as well as other government agencies and key external stakeholders.
We may also be accepting candidates for other policy teams.
Policy branch is made up of the following five groups:
• Welfare System and Income Support;
• Housing, Employment and Labour Market;
• Regional, Social and Inquiries;
• International, Disability and Generational; and
• Child Wellbeing and Poverty Reduction.
Mōu – Ngā Pūkenga me ngā Wheako / Skills and experience
We're keen to hear from motivated Policy Analysts who will fit our collegial, supportive culture, and have the action orientation to shape, lead and contribute to policy work that is a priority for Ministers and our Chief Executive.
Things we are looking for in all applicants:
• strong analytical and critical thinking ability
• a track record producing quality policy advice or contributing to advice that is clear, well-reasoned and politically neutral
• great people skills and experience managing stakeholders
• clear communication skills
• understanding of te Ao Māori and commitment to upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi
• data and quantitative skills and experience are particularly desirable.
The qualities we value in candidates are:
• curiosity
• perseverance
• clear communication skills
• collaborative working style.
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
- 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.
If you like variety in your work, and enjoy contributing to a friendly, collaborative team environment, we welcome your application.
Position Description
Salary range: $78,222.00 - $94,689.00
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: Wednesday 2nd July, 2025. Your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process. Please highlight which role you are applying for and how your experience relates to the things we are looking for. Please apply as soon as possible as we would like to commence interviews as soon as practical.
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.
