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 / Kaitātari Kaupapahere
- Disability Policy Team
- Multiple Permanent Roles available
- Wellington Based

Are you passionate about social policy and making a difference for New Zealanders?

About the role / Te āhuatunga a te tūranga
We are seeking a motivated policy analyst to join the Disability Policy team at the Ministry of Social Development / Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora (MSD)
Improving health, welfare, and education outcomes is a key aspect of social policy. Our focus is on how to improve outcomes for disabled people and their whānau and there's a lot happening that you could be involved in. Joining the Disability Policy will give you the opportunity to work on key strategic policies including the Accessibility for New Zealanders Bill, New Zealand Sign Language Act, Carers Strategy, and introducing a wage supplement to replace Minimum Wage Exemption permits.
The team has a dual focus on supporting the Government's ambitious disability work programme, including system transformation, as well as providing an important strategic and populations focused lens across MSD's work programme, including ensuring supports offered to disabled people align with the Enabling Good Lives (EGL) approach to support greater choice and control for people to live their lives.
The Disability Policy is a close-knit team, known for proving high quality policy advice on a range of strategic issues. Being a populations focused team; we hold a unique place in the Ministry where we work on policy advice that sits across MSD's key portfolios and levers.

**MSD's Policy branch is made up of the following groups**:

- Regional, Social and Inquiries;
- International, Disability and Generational;
- Housing, Employment and Climate Change; and
- Welfare System and Income Support.

Skills and experience / He pūkenga tou

**We are looking for a Policy Analyst who can**:

- provide and contribute to advice that is clear, well-reasoned and politically neutral
- bring together evidence to draw conclusions (e.g. on key issues and their root causes)
- engage with stakeholders and the community
- work collaboratively on projects both within and across agencies.

We are interested in hearing about any form of experience, in policy or otherwise, you might have that would contribute to this role.

**The qualities we value include**:

- Curiosity
- Perseverance
- Clear communication skills
- Collaborative working style
- Strong analytical skills
- Understanding of te Ao Māori and commitment to upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

**This role will suit someone with**:

- Experience with stakeholder engagement
- Skills and experience working with disabled people and the disability sector.

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 can contribute, belong, and thrive. Our employee-led networks include, but are not limited to:

- National Office Māori Staff Network - Te Tini ō te Raurearea
- Pasefika Helava
- Women's Network
- Pan Asian Network.

MSD is a CareWise employer. We commit to showing manaaki to people in our MSD whānau with caring commitments.

Position Description

**Salary range**: $75,943 - $ 91,931

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.

**Closing date**: Wednesday 24th May, 5 pm.

Joining us
Joining MSD means being part of a whānau that celebrates the diversity each individual represents. We show manaaki, we care a