Principal and Senior Policy Advisors

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE
- Contribute to the transformation of New Zealand’s energy sector
- Join us on a significant and exciting programme of work to ensure we're ready
- Appointing salary ranges: Principal $132,417 - $160,472, and Senior $103,290 - $132,417. Dependent on skills and experience

Our energy system is at the centre of Aotearoa’s decarbonisation challenge.

To help New Zealand get to net zero emissions by 2050 we need changes to the way electricity is generated, the type of energy we use, and how we use it. This includes the energy we use to power our homes and drive our cars and the energy used by industry and businesses.

**Tēnei tūranga - About the role**:
The Energy and Resource Markets (ERM) branch of around 150 professionals is responsible for providing robust strategic, policy and regulatory advice on energy markets, operational regulation, and compliance services. We have an ambitious and exciting work programme ahead to lead the energy and resource sector’s transition to a low-emissions economy. The work is becoming more transformational and strategic in nature and a new model with newly created positions has been established to set the function up for success.

**We have vacancies in the following areas of work**:

- The upstream management, supply and distribution of petroleum and minerals resources, and gas and liquid fuels.
- Community based renewable energy projects that support access to secure, renewable and more affordable energy in low-income communities.
- Developing a roadmap for hydrogen in New Zealand, to set Government objectives for hydrogen use, and its potential to reduce emissions and maximise economic benefits.
- Developing a new regulatory framework for offshore renewable energy, like offshore wind, to improve certainty for investors and ensure we strike the right balance with other priorities such as fisheries and marine protection.
- Looking at the electricity market and whether additional measures or policies are needed to support secure and affordable electricity supply as we transition to a more renewable system.
- Supporting our businesses and industries to decarbonise by running on, and producing products made with, renewables and to use energy more efficiently.

Our work impacts the daily lives of New Zealanders. We grow opportunities (Puāwai), guard and protect (Kaihāpai) and innovate and navigate towards a better future (Auaha).

How we work

Our branch is a fun, collaborative, fast-paced and supportive environment, with established peer learning initiatives, policy fora and cross-team working, and lots of opportunities for engaging with stakeholders. All our people are talented and unique. We work towards creating a workplace environment where you belong and that enables and allows you to do what you do best. We support diversity so that together we can do work that positively impacts the lives of all New Zealanders.

Crown / Māori partnership is at the heart of our work, and enduring, meaningful and effective partnerships with iwi, Māori, other Māori groups/organisations are critical to delivering on our ambition for the energy sector.
Ngā pukenga me ngā wheako e hiahiatia ana - Skills and experience required:
We have several roles for Senior Policy Advisors in the teams responsible for these areas, and a Principal Policy Advisor.

This may be of interest if you have a background in public policy, planning and resource management, economics, climate change, behavioural science, a regulator, law, or the energy, communications or similar infrastructure sectors.

Please refer to the linked position descriptions below for the competencies required for these positions.

**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 values which shape our behaviours.
- Mahi Tahi - Better Together
- Māia - Bold and brave
- Pae Kahurangi - Build our Future
- Pono Me Te Tika - Own It

Our aspirations are echoed in our Māori identity - Hīkina Whakatutuki - which broadly means ‘lifting to make successful'.

MBIE recognises the partnership founded under Te Tiriti o Waitangi between Māori and the Crown and is committed to giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We will do this through enduring, meaningful and effective partnerships with iwi, Māori, other Māori groups/organisations and the Crown, as this is critical to enable economic and social development, both for Māori and for wider Aotearoa New Zealand. We are comm