Senior Policy Analyst and Policy Analyst
Date: 4 Jan 2026
Location: Wellington, NZ
Company: Ministry of Social Development
About the role | Mō te tūnga:
Are you passionate about making a difference for New Zealanders?
We are seeking motivated Policy Analysts and Senior Policy Analysts to join the Welfare System and Income Support Policy Group at the Ministry of Social Development / Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora (MSD).
The Welfare System and Income Support Policy Group is made up of two teams that work very closely together. Team members have opportunities to work across both teams on a broad range of work programme areas.
The Welfare System team provides advice on system-level welfare settings to support the government’s welfare reforms to ensure that the welfare system is fair, accessible and fit for purpose. Current high-priority projects include enabling the use of automated decision making and welfare settings for 18/19 year-olds.
The Income Support team provides advice on the design of the income support system, which includes considering the adequacy of payments and impacts on poverty and inequality, the impacts on financial incentives to work, and the interactions of these payments with other systems. Some key current work programme areas include the policy design for Income Charging (using PAYE information shared by Inland Revenue to calculate how much financial assistance people can receive from MSD), annual adjustments to benefit rates and payments, and policy settings related to Working for Families.
Across the group there are a diverse range of opportunities, including working on high-priority Ministerial initiatives, progressing changes to primary legislation, and developing advice with direct operational implications. 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 wider 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.
Please note: this is a permanent opportunity and based in Wellington.
About you – Skills & Experience | Mōu – Ngā Pūkenga me ngā Wheako:
We're keen to hear from motivated Senior Policy Analysts and 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 managing stakeholders, internally and externally
- 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.
Things we are looking for in applicants for the Senior Policy Analyst role will include:
- experience providing or contributing to advice on complex issues
- a team player, able to adjust to changing priorities, ambiguity and fast pace of work
- bringing together evidence to draw conclusions (e.g. on key issues and their root causes, interpreting complex data sets and translating findings into actionable insights to support policy recommendations)
- engaging with stakeholders and the community
- working collaboratively on projects both within and across agencies, including working with operational colleagues to deliver policy change
- providing coaching and contributing to building the capability of people in your team.
The qualities we value in candidates for both roles are:
- curiosity
- ability to work at pace
- perseverance and resilience under pressure
- clear communication skills
- collaborative working style.
Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga:
Salary | Utu-ā-tau:
Senior Policy Analyst Salary range: $113,496 - $137,794
Policy Analyst Salary range: $79,200 - $95,873
Benefits of working in Policy at MSD:
- We work with a strong sense of purpose and people focus to deliver high quality policy advice in a fun, supportive environment that values everyone’s contributions. We are proud of the collaboration that occurs across teams and the culture we’ve created.
- We are a large organisation with policies and services that support most New Zealanders at some point in their life – from Childcare Assistance to Superannuation.
- We work collaboratively with the service delivery groups of our ministry, to ensure fit for purpose policies – you can see the policies you’ve developed right through to operational implementation.
- MSD’s strategic direction – Te Pae Tawhiti – sets out a strong vision and purpose for MSD.
- We are committed to building diversity, accessibility and inclusion in our workplace.
- As a Treaty of Waitangi partner, we work towards supporting and enabling Māori, whānau, hapū, iwi and communities to realise their own potential and aspirations. We aim to acknowledge and be guided by Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and to pursue the following values in our work:
- manaaki – we care about the wellbeing and success of people;
- mahi tahi – we work together, making a difference for communities;
- whānau – we are inclusive and build a sense of belonging and place; and
- tika me te pono – we do the right thing with integrity.
How to Apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono:
Please apply as soon as possible as we would like to commence interviews as soon as practical, and may reach out to candidates before the job listing closes. Applications close 5pm on 19 January 2026.
Note - 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.
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.tter outcomes for our communities, we’d love to hear from you.
