Policy Analyst

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, 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.

Policy Analyst - Social Development, Child and Youth
- Your unique opportunity to work on high profile social issues
- Work across sectors and with a range of stakeholders
- Join a collaborative team and broaden your policy career with us
- Multiple Permanent opportunities Wellington based

We are seeking motivated Policy Analysts to join our Social Development, Child and Youth group working on strategic/cross-government policy and key Government priorities.

About our Teams

**There are three teams that sit within the group**: Child and Youth, Social Sector, and Regional Development Policy.
Our goal is to provide our Ministers with expert, trusted advice on how to respond to challenges facing New Zealand families and communities. Our work programmes include topics such as the following:

- Child and Youth - supporting young people through the Youth Service, preventing youth offending, and preparing for New Zealand's upcoming examination by the United Nations on the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
- Social Sector - Social cohesion in Aotearoa following the terrorist attack on Christchurch Masjidain, community development, social sector capability, family violence and sexual violence.
- Regional Development - Covid Protection Framework: Welfare Response, Food security, Regional development and system leadership.

There are multiple permanent Policy Analyst vacancies available across the three teams. Fixed-term or Secondment opportunities will also be considered.
The group is part of a busy 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 work hard to ensure policy settings are responsive to 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 developing and supporting staff to reach their full potential.
We encourage development and provide an environment where you will be supported to deliver results.

About this Role
As a Policy Analyst, you will have your own portfolio responsibility areas in which you can develop expertise, as well having opportunities to work with your colleagues across the team and the wider policy Group. This will provide you with an opportunity for variety and to gain a broad range of experience.
Policy analysts also work closely with other areas of MSD and across multiple government agencies.

About You
We're keen to hear from motivated 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. We're keen on people who will fit our collegial, supportive culture, and have the action orientation to shape and lead on policy work that is a priority for Ministers and our Chief Executive. You'll need strong analytical and critical thinking ability and excellent judgement. You'll bring leadership ability or potential, with the skills and an interest in coaching and developing others.

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 Public 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 that has embedded a positive and supportive working environment.
- We have a strategic direction - Te Pae Tawhiti - that sets out a strong vision and purpose for MSD.
- We are committed to building diversity, accessibility and inclusion in our workplace.
- We can offer flexible working arrangements to suit individual needs.

Position Description

**Salary range**: $71,943.00 - $87,931.00

How to apply

**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.

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