Principal Advisor, Policy

2 weeks ago

Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand New Zealand Government Full time

Lead complex policy projects and support the wider Policy Unit with thought leadership in the development of strategic and operational policy advice.


  • Contribute to high quality policy advice to Ministers, NEMA, and wider government during emergency responses and recoveries.
Ko wai mātou | About us
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) provides national leadership to New Zealand's distributed emergency management system.

NEMA's primary focus is on the performance and capability of the emergency management system as a whole, across all hazards and all risks and the 4 Rs of risk reduction, readiness, response and recovery.

We are going through an exciting phase of growth and there will be more opportunities with NEMA over the coming months.

NEMA values diversity and inclusion. We want our workforce to reflect the diversity of our communities. We value and respect the contributions of our people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, skills and perspectives. We support flexible ways of working that bring out the best in you.

We are committed to doing our part to deliver on the Crown's commitments to Māori under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

We strive to actively build te Ao Māori perspectives and capability into our day to day work, values and practices.

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

In this role you will be leading complex policy projects and programmes (or discrete pieces of work within a larger project) on matters within assigned portfolio, including defining the problem, managing the analysis and engaging others to deliver high quality advice and outcomes.

The Policy Unit is responsible for navigating and influencing the government policy interface that enables all NEMA's roles.

The Policy Unit is responsible for providing emergency management related policy advice to government, the CDEM sector, and the wider emergency management and national security systems.

The Policy Unit also supports NEMA, its Executive Leadership Team, Regional Emergency Management Advisors, operational business units and CDEM Groups.

The Principal Advisor work across the unit, leading and supporting both the strategic and operational policy work programmes.

As part of working within NEMA, there may be a requirement to respond to emergency activations in the event of a national emergency response.

This may involve responding to events outside of normal working hours if an emergency response of national significance occurs.
Ko wai koe | About you
You will be a policy thought leader, with the following attributes:

  • An ability to deliver high quality work output under pressure
  • Flexibility of approach/thinking, able to adapt in constantly changing circumstances
  • Willingness to grow Māori capability and cultural confidence
  • Comfortable facilitating a collaborative work environment, with a constant eye on completing the objective and goals of the policy unit
  • High level of judgement with the ability to make effective decisions in complex situations
  • The discretion and tact to handle confidential and private information
Huanga Whaiaro | Key requirements

  • A relevant tertiary qualification or an equivalent body of knowledge and experience.
  • Experience in persuading, influencing, building and maintaining effective collaborative relationships.
  • The Policy Project's Policy Skills Framework describes the knowledge, skills and behaviours required of NEMA's policy advisors. Principal Policy Advisors are expected to demonstrate these at the expert/leading level. For detailed descriptors, refer to the full Policy Skills Framework here.
Ta matou e tuku | What we offer

We pride ourselves on the quality of our staff and understand the importance of fostering a working environment where excellence is recognised and where staff are encouraged to develop their own talents and potential.

We welcome diversity, in all its forms and we believe it is a strength.
All NEMA roles are flexible by default and a positive work life balance is encouraged.
The salary band midpoint for this position is $157,608 including Kiwisaver employer contributions.
Whakaritenga Haumaru | Security Requirements

Due to the security requirements of this role, applicants must be a New Zealand citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident.

Me pehea te tono | How to apply
Applications close 5pm Wednesday 2 August 2023.

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