Principal Analyst
Date: 8 Jul 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.
Principal Analyst
- Opportunity to lead significant programmes of work
- Contribute to key Government priorities
- Two roles: one 12 month and one 18 month fixed term/secondments – Wellington based only
Come join our high performing policy branch! We have supportive leaders, a collaborative culture, value work life balance and professional development.
Mō te tūnga / About the roles
Are you passionate about making a difference for New Zealanders? We are seeking two motivated Principal Analysts to join us at the Ministry of Social Development / Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora (MSD).
Reporting to a General Manager, you will lead strategic projects and policy initiatives and provide mentoring and support to the professional development of less experienced analysts. These roles will give you opportunities to work across a broad work programme to provide advice to Ministers on issues impacting the wellbeing of New Zealanders.
MSD has worked hard to make our Policy Branch a great place to work. We are busy and there’s a great vibe across the branch. We are proud of the collaboration that occurs across teams and the culture we’ve created. We work with a strong sense of purpose and people focus to deliver high quality policy advice in a fun, supportive environment that values your contribution.
Mō te tīma / About our teams
The two opportunities are:
Housing, Employment and Labour Market policy group (18 months)
This group is made up of three teams which leads policy advice on housing, employment, immigration, workforce training, reducing persistent disadvantage and going for growth. This group works closely with relevant branches within the Ministry and also hold many cross-government relationships.
Regional, Social and Inquiries policy group (12 months)
This group is made up of four teams and has a cross cutting policy work programme in areas such as regional and community development, emergency response and recovery, social sector services and workforce, and supporting government contributions and response to various inquiries (including Waitangi Tribunal and Royal Commission inquiries). We take a systems approach to our work and advise on complex cross-government system level issues and solutions.
Mōu – Ngā Pūkenga me ngā Wheako / Skills and experience
We're keen to hear from experienced and motivated policy professionals. We're looking for strong relationship building skills as you'll be working with stakeholders across our organisation and externally. We're keen on people who will fit our collegial, supportive culture, and have the action orientation to shape and lead on priority policy work for Ministers and our Chief Executive.
You'll need strong analytical and critical thinking ability and excellent judgement. You'll bring leadership ability, with the skills and an interest in coaching and developing others. You’ll have a commitment to Māori and to building competencies and capabilities in Te Tiriti analysis and applying Māori frameworks.
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.
Whether you are an experienced Principal Analyst looking for your next challenge or a Senior Analyst who is ready to step up, if you have a track record of providing quality policy advice we are interested in hearing from you!
Position Description
Salary range: $141,109.00 - $175,603.00
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. Please indicate in your cover letter which role and team you are interested in and would like to be considered for.
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 20th July, 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.
