Senior/policy Advisors

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE - An opportunity to work at the interface of science and technology and international relations
- Be at the cutting edge of deploying research and innovation to solve New Zealand's biggest challenges
- Work with high-tech businesses to grow New Zealand's knowledge economy and international impact
- Flexible work options available
- Salary Range: $103,290 to $132,417 (Senior Policy Advisor); $71,119 to $89,645 (Policy Advisor)

**Tēnei tūranga - About the role**:
The New Zealand science and innovation systems are critical to boosting the number of knowledge-intensive, internationally connected organisations and firms. Our system is big, technically complex, and international - which makes the work of MBIE’s Science, Innovation and International branch interesting, varied, and challenging.

MBIE’s International Science Partnerships team leads on establishing and maintain key bilateral and multilateral science and innovation partnerships to better connect New Zealand’s science system to the rest of the world. We do this by:

- leading and shaping a whole-of-government science and innovation agenda
- working closely with other government agencies, offshore counterparts, and key stakeholders to initiate, develop and foster international collaborations
- developing tangible actions, strategies and initiatives to foster a thriving and dynamic science and innovation system which will have global impact from Aotearoa
- Ensuing that our policies and strategies recognise and uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi

We are looking for Senior/Policy Advisors to join the International Science Partnerships team. In this role, you will have the opportunity to lead and contribute to exciting work programmes, working closely with other parts of MBIE and across the public sector, and building your policy skills and experience in a high performing, flexible and supportive team.

You will be challenged while given the opportunity to significantly change the research, science, and innovation landscape and make a difference for Aotearoa New Zealand. The roles would suit someone with a domestic policy background looking to develop their understanding of international relations or vice versa. For the Senior Policy Advisor, a demonstrated track record in strategic relationship management and influencing skills are essential.

Ngā pukenga me ngā wheako e hiahiatia ana - Skills and experience required:
**The Senior Policy Advisor will ideally have**:

- Experience leading complex policy projects within central government
- Wide ranging knowledge of policy development disciplines and processes
- Strong stakeholder relationship building, influencing and engagement skills to gain the cooperation and commitment of others
- Demonstrated capability in working with Ministers, senior public service officials, internal and external stakeholders
- Passion for leading and coaching others to develop their policy craft and take their careers to the next level
- The ability to work through ambiguity and deliver results

Our Policy Advisors gather evidence, analyses policy issues, develops policy options and prepares policy advice for defined policy issues and contributes to larger, more complex projects where others have the accountability for the delivery of outputs.

**The Policy Advisor is able to**:

- use critical thinking, clear and logical reasoning and judgement to shape ambiguous issues into a tractable problem; identify its root causes; draw interferences and use the available evidence in the development of policy options.
- build relationships with stakeholders, delivery agencies and government agencies, understand their perspectives and reflect them in advice.
- use policy project management processes and has a working knowledge of policy and machinery of government processes.
- communicate effectively.

We are looking for motivated people with experience in problem solving complex problems and formulating high-quality policy advice for a range of stakeholders and projects.

Our branch has a great culture. We value diversity of thought and background. We collaborate and support each other, and we make sure everyone has the chance to develop and to take on new challenges. With the wide variety of work across the different policy areas, there are numerous development opportunities to grow and build their careers within MBIE.

**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 valu