Manager Policy Office

About the Ministry for Social Development / Mō te Manatū Whakahiato Ora 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.

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 peopleMahi tahi - We work together, making a difference for communitiesWhānau - We are inclusive and build a sense of belonging and placeTika me te pono - We do the right thing with integrity
Manager Policy Office
- Permanent Wellington based opportunity
- Varied, challenging and highly rewarding role
- Are you passionate about making a difference for New Zealanders?

We are seeking a motivated Manager for our Policy Office at the Ministry of Social Development / Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora (MSD)
About the role / Te āhuatunga a te tūranga The Policy Office is essential to the success of the Policy Branch and the Regional Public Service leadership framework. The Manager Policy Office leads a team of advisors who provide business support across the Policy branch and national level secretariat support to the Regional Public Service leadership framework.
The team contribute to the delivery of services that ensure the policy branch fulfils Government priorities, strategic objectives and accountabilities in relation to key performance indicators including but not limited to:

- provision of strategy and planning, reporting and accountability, and corporate management support to the Policy Senior Management Group (SMG) and the Policy branch
- policy performance assessment reporting
- taking an all of government approach to supporting a joined up public service
- providing coordination, work programme management and advisory support to Regional CEs, DCEs and Regional Public Service Commissioners at a national level

The Manager is responsible for a team that works closely alongside the policy teams and senior leaders in the policy branch and across the public service. Relationships, understanding machinery of government and providing business process as well as strategic advice are particularly important for this team.
A strong culture of focusing on supporting the business, strategic objectives and our people are priorities for this team. We are committed to building our capability in Te Tiriti, Māori/Crown context and Te Ao Māori in our work and giving effect to Te Mahere Mahi Kaupapa Here o Te Pae Tata - the Policy Groups Māori Action Plan.
Skills and experience / He pūkenga tou
- Experience leading in a strategic environment and building relationships across a variety of stakeholders
- Experience producing and recognising high quality advice
- 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
- Comfortable and effective when working closely with senior officials, including Chief Executives and Deputy Chief Executives
- An appropriate tertiary qualification or considerable, relevant practical experience

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.
Organisation environment / Te taiao o te rōpū

**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 c