Principal Policy Advisor

2 weeks ago

Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand New Zealand Government Full time
Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

  • Contribute to New Zealand's transition to a low emission, high wage and climate resilient economy
  • Help to transform the building and construction sector
  • Work across MBIE and other agencies, and with both policy and technical experts to drive our climate change response
  • Salary range $132,417 to $160,472 p.a. plus Kiwisaver and Employee Wellness Benefit
  • Flexible working environment and hours available

Tēnei tūranga - About the Role:

MBIE's Building for Climate Change programme is working to reduce emissions from buildings during their construction and operation, and to also ensure New Zealand's buildings are resilient enough to withstand changing climate conditions.

If New Zealand is to achieve its climate change goals, including net zero carbon by 2050, the building and construction sector must play its part.

We are looking for a Principal Policy Advisor to join the Building for Climate Change policy team.

You will lead the development and direction of high-priority policy work within the programme, shape thinking across the building and construction sector and support the development of our people.

How we work

The Building for Climate Change team is a fun, collaborative and supportive environment, with established peer learning initiatives, cross-team working, and lots of opportunities for engaging with stakeholders.

All our people are talented and unique.

We work towards creating a workplace environment where you belong and that enables and allows you to do what you do best.

We support diversity so that together we can do work that positively impacts the lives of all New Zealanders.

Crown / Māori partnership is at the heart of our work, and enduring, meaningful, and effective partnerships with iwi, Māori, other Māori groups/organisations are critical to delivering on our ambition of reducing emissions from the building and construction sectors.


The Building for Climate Change Programme is tasked with delivering the Government's climate change response for building and construction through the Emissions Reduction Plan and jointly leading one of the five outcomes of 'homes, buildings and places' in the National Adaptation Plan.

In addition to working across agencies to deliver the actions to realise our climate goals, the Programme is also developing the plan to move the sector from its current state where climate considerations are niche to one where they are mainstream.

As Principal Policy Advisor, you will be expected to lead one or more of our key policy projects

These include:

  • Amending the Building Act to set the legislative framework to reduce the building and construction sector's emissions and support the construction of more climate resilient buildings
  • Incorporating emissions reduction into the building regulatory system
  • Developing policy advice to help make our homes and buildings more resilient to the impacts of climate change
Could this be of interest to you?

This may be of interest if you have experience in public policy, planning and resource management, economics, climate change, or the building, energy, communications, or similar infrastructure sectors.

Ngā pukenga me ngā wheako e hiahiatia ana

  • Skills and Experience Required
To work in this role you'll need to love an intellectual challenge and won't be afraid of ambiguity.

We are looking for someone with:

  • an interest in climate change or familiarity with the building and construction sector
- a track record of problem solving and experience providing robust policy analysis, advice and intellectual leadership
- experience leading complex policy projects with a good working knowledge of machinery of government processes and sound policy project management
- a commitment to developing the capability and expertise of others through coaching and mentoring
- strong stakeholder relationship building, influencing and engagement skills to gain the cooperation and commitment of others

If this sounds like you then we'd love to hear from you.

Ētahi kōrero mō MBIE - About MBIE: MBIE's goal is to create a resilient and high-performing economy that delivers real and ongoing quality of life for all New Zealanders.


We do this by working with others to create an environment that supports businesses to be more productive and internationally competitive, enables all New Zealanders to participate in the economy through improved job opportunities and by working to ensure quality housing is more affordable.


People are at the heart of our mahi, our way of working is guided by our values which shape our behaviours.


  • Mahi Tahi
  • Better Together


 Māia
  • Bold and brave


 Pae Kahurangi
  • Build our Future
  • Pono Me Te Tika
  • Own It
Our aspirations are echoed in our Māori identity - Hīkina Whakatutuki - which broadly means 'lifting to make successful'.

MBIE recognises the partnership founded under Te Tiriti o W

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