Senior Policy Analysts and Policy Analysts (Housing, Employment & Labour Market Policy)
Date: 20 Oct 2025
Location: Wellington, NZ
Company: Ministry of Social Development
• Permanent Opportunities
• Location: Wellington
We’re seeking motivated and experienced Senior Policy Analysts and Policy Analysts to join our busy Housing, Employment and Labour Market Policy Teams at the Ministry of Social Development (MSD).
Successful candidates will be part of a cohesive and collaborative group that delivers high-quality, evidence-based advice that improves outcomes for all New Zealanders.
There is a lot of great work you could be involved in, from quick turn-around advice to long-term projects working with a range of agencies and stakeholders. Joining our teams will give you the opportunity to lead and work on complex policy issues that make a real difference for people who need support the most.
Our people are focused on delivering high quality policy advice in a positive, supportive team environment. We focus on staff wellbeing and personal work and life balance. We pride ourselves on investing in developing and supporting our staff to reach their full potential.
About us | Mō mātou
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 roles | Mō te tūnga:
Housing policy
Affordable, safe, and stable housing is fundamental to employment and independence. To support this, the Housing Policy Team at MSD has a focus on ensuring more New Zealanders are in appropriate housing that enables them to participate in the economy and their communities.
MSD manages applications for social housing and the Social Housing Register, assesses housing need, administers income-related rents and tenancy reviews for social housing tenants and contracts social service support. MSD provides a range of financial assistance to eligible people to enable them to access and sustain suitable accommodation, including the Accommodation Supplement, Housing Support Products for things such as tenancy bonds and rent in advance. MSD also administers the Emergency Housing Grants, which assists in meeting the cost of short-term commercial accommodation for people who have an immediate housing need.
MSD’s role in housing policy includes responsibility for the provision of policy advice on housing-related social assistance, a focus on the lower end of the housing market and supporting MSD service delivery to improve housing outcomes and employment and greater independence for the most vulnerable. We work closely with other government agencies, including the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (who are responsible for policy advice on the wider housing system) and withKāinga Ora – Homes and Communities (as the government’s social housing provider). MSD works with stakeholders to develop responses to weather and other adverse events, and we contribute to the advice being developed by other agencies and provide second-opinion advice to our Ministers.
Employment and Labour Market Policy
Helping more people into employment is a key priority of the Government. The Employment and Labour Market Policy Teams focus on supporting people to prepare for, find and stay in work. This work is critical to supporting a functional labour market and improving the wellbeing of some of New Zealand’s most vulnerable people.
MSD’s role in employment and labour market policy includes responsibility for providing advice on active labour market programmes for people disadvantaged in the labour market so they can overcome barriers to finding and retaining employment, improving employment opportunities for New Zealanders through the development of in-demand skills, and influencing broader system settings – such as welfare system settings, immigration policy, economic policy, and the education system.
We work closely with other teams within the Ministry, in particular Service Delivery, with other government agencies, and with key external stakeholders. This includes work to improve the functioning of the welfare system and effectiveness of government investment.
The work requires the ability to rise to urgent requests with tight timeframes through to planning and preparing work with a 6 month to 2-year timeframe. In doing so, you’ll be part of work to address both immediate issues and prepare for long-term labour market changes.
You will be part of a wider supportive policy branch
The Housing, Employment and Labour Market Policy teams are part of a busy, diverse, and friendly Policy Branch. There’s a great vibe across the Branch where people are focused on delivering high quality policy advice in a positive, supportive team environment. We focus on staff wellbeing and personal work/life balance. We pride ourselves on investing in developing and supporting staff to reach their full potential.
We may also be accepting candidates for other policy teams. MSD’s Policy branch is made up of the following four groups:
• Regional, Social and Inquiries
• International, Disability and Generational
• Housing, Employment and Labour Market
• Welfare System and Income Support
What you bring | Ōu pūmanawatanga:
We're keen to hear from motivated senior analysts and policy analysts with a track record in policy advice.
• We're looking for great people skills as you'll be working with stakeholders across our organisation and externally.
• You'll need strong analytical and critical thinking ability and excellent judgement.
• 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 have an understanding of Te Ao Māori and commitment to upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
If you’re considering a Senior Policy Analyst role, 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.
• skills in building relationships and leading engagement with stakeholders, both internally and externally to the Ministry.
• experience in enhancing the team's capability, including supporting junior staff with their projects.
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 the position title and the team you are applying for.
What are the Benefits of Working in Policy at MSD?
• We are a large organisation with policies and services that support most New Zealanders at some point in their life – from Child Care Assistance to Social Housing to Superannuation.
• We work collaboratively with the service delivery groups of our Ministry and with our policy colleagues across government, to ensure fit for purpose policies – you can see the policies you’ve developed right through to operational implementation.
• Our practice is guided by a foundation of shared cultural behaviours which has embedded a positive and supportive working environment.
• We have a new strategic direction – Te Pae Tawhiti – that sets out a strong vision and purpose for MSD.
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
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 9th November, 2025. Please note that we will be reviewing applications as they come through and may begin interviewing before the closing date, so early applications are encouraged.
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.
