Senior Policy Analysts - Regional, Social and Inquiries Policy Group

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Date: 27 May 2025

Location: Wellington, NZ

Company: Ministry of Social Development

 

Te mahi ki konei / Working here


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 develop social policy and provide advice to government and work with and help fund providers in the community. We also deliver social services 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 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

 

Tika me te pono – We do the right thing with integrity

 

This team is part of a busy 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 and supporting staff to reach their full potential.

Senior Policy Analysts – Regional, Social and Inquiries Policy Group

 

  • Permanent and Fixed Term or Secondment (12 month) Opportunities.
  • Wellington Based.

 

Make a meaningful impact on the lives of all New Zealanders

 

Mō te tūnga / About the role 


Are you passionate about supporting and influencing social change for families, whanau, and individuals across Aotearoa New Zealand? 


We are seeking motivated and inquiring Senior Policy Analysts to join our Regional, Social and Inquiries Policy Group here at the Ministry of Social Development (MSD). We will provide you with a range of diverse experiences, from being involved in supporting short-term tangible change through to influencing longer-term strategic work. You will work both across MSD and with a range of agencies and stakeholders.

 

Within the Regional, Social and Inquiries Policy Group we have vacancies in the following teams: 


•    Regional and Communities Policy 
•    Strategy and Inquiries Policy 

 

The Regional and Communities Policy team provides meaningful policy advice to Government Ministers on a range of priority social policy issues relating to emergency management, organised crime, the Regional Public Service Leadership Framework (which the MSD Chief Executive, Debbie Power, is the System Lead for) and food security issues. 

 

The Strategy and Inquiries Policy team supports MSD’s policy response to various external independent inquiries, including the Waitangi Tribunal’s Kaupapa Inquiry programme and the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care. 


Across the group, we work closely with a range of stakeholders including our Māori, Communities and Partnerships team within MSD and other government departments including the Crown Response Unit for the Abuse in State Care, the National Emergency Management Agency, Te Puni Kōkiri, the Police, Oranga Tamariki – Ministry for Children, Te Puna Aonui and many others. We also have close relationships with a range of community partners and 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 Senior Policy Analysts who can provide or contribute to advice that is clear, well-reasoned and politically neutral.
  • We're looking for great people skills as you'll be working collaboratively on projects 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, lead and contribute to policy work that is a priority for Ministers and our Chief Executive.
  • You'll need strong analytical and critical thinking ability and excellent judgement, with an ability to bring together evidence to draw conclusions on key issues and their root causes.  

As a Senior Policy Analyst, we’ll also expect you to demonstrate:

  • Leadership ability and experience in providing advice on complex issues along with the skills and an interest in coaching and developing others.
  • Experience in enhancing the team's capability, including supporting junior staff with their projects.

 

We are interested in hearing about any form of experience, in policy or otherwise, you might have that would contribute to this role.

  • The qualities we value in a candidate include:
  • Strong analytical skills.
  • Clear communication skills, particularly strong writing skills.
  • Collaborative working style.
  • Perseverance.
  • Curiosity and critical thinking.
  • Understanding of te Ao Māori and commitment to upholding Te Tiriti Waitangi.

 

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.


If you like variety in your work, and enjoy contributing to a friendly, collaborative team environment, we welcome your application. 


Please include in your cover letter whether you have a preference for a particular team. 

Salary range: $112,372.00 - $136,429.00

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 8th June, 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.