Policy Managers

**About us**

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, whanau and communities.

As a Te Tiriti o Waitangi partner we are committed to supporting and enabling Maori, whanau, hapu, 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.

**Policy Managers - Welfare System and Income Support**
- Policy Manager - Welfare System - Wellington
Policy Manager - Income Support - Wellington

**Permanent opportunities**

**_ We are seeking two motivated Policy Managers at the Ministry of Social Development / Te Manatu Whakahiato Ora (MSD) to lead the Welfare System policy team (from August/September) and the Income Support policy team (from October/November). The managers will work closely together and in partnership with a third policy manager to coordinate work programme management and resourcing decisions._**

**Mo te tunga / About the role**

As the Welfare System Policy Manager you will lead a team of 6-7 analysts that produces policy advice on a range of issues relating to settings within the welfare system. Most recently, the team supported work to implement the Traffic Light System changes. Current priorities include implementing the Government's changes relating to tightening eligibility for 18- and 19-year-olds and progressing legislative change relating to MSD's use of Automated Decision-Making.

As the Income Support Policy Manager you will lead a team of 7 analysts that ensures that the financial assistance that MSD provides is effective and fit-for-purpose. This includes considering the impacts on financial incentives to work, the impacts on poverty and inequality, the design and delivery of payments and the interactions of these payments with other systems. Current priorities include implementing an initiative to improve the accuracy and integrity of benefit payments by using salary and wage income information from Inland Revenue closer to real-time, and working with Inland Revenue on proposals to improve the Working for Families scheme.

You will be responsible for ensuring that your team delivers timely and quality policy advice to the Minister for Social Development and other Ministers. You will also engage with stakeholders across MSD, the wider public service and others.

You will develop and maximise the capability of your team members, providing them with opportunities to grow their skills, knowledge and confidence. You and your team will have the professional support of Principal Policy Analysts to ensure the work is of a high standard and complex processes or strategic issues are well managed.

The work programmes contribute to the broader objectives of the Policy Branch, the work of the Ministry and the priorities of the Government.

The teams sit within the Welfare System and Income Support policy group and you will report to the General Manager of that group.

**Mou - Nga Pukenga me nga Wheako / Skills and experience - Things we are looking for in applicants**
- A high level of judgement and a collaborative approach to your work
- Experience producing and recognising high quality policy work
- Experience developing and managing high performing teams, with a focus on fostering a supportive team culture
- Developed skills in building the performance of individuals through coaching and attention to professional development
- Experience leading in a strategic environment and building relationships across a variety of stakeholders
- A good understanding of policy implementation and the issues likely to impact on it
- Knowledge and confidence in one or more areas of social policy
- The ability to guide a team through the legislative process
- Commitment to further strengthening the Maori/Crown relationship in ways such as building your own and your team's competencies in Te Tiriti analysis and in employing appropriate engagement methods
- An appropriate tertiary qualification or considerable, relevant practical experience

**Ta matou 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 make sure everyone has the chance to develop and to take on new challenges
- ; value diversity of thinking and background