Senior Policy Analyst and 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.

**Senior Policy Analyst and Policy Analyst**:

- **Permanent Role, Wellington-based**

**About the role / Te āhuatunga a te tūranga**

Are you passionate about making a difference for New Zealanders?

We are seeking motivated Policy Analysts and Senior Policy Analysts to join the Welfare System and Income Support Policy Group at the Ministry of Social Development / Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora (MSD).

The Welfare System and Income Support Policy Group is made up of two teams.
- The Welfare System team provides advice on system-level welfare settings to support the government's welfare reforms, including stewardship of the income support system.
- The Income Support team are responsible for producing policy advice on a range of issues concerning the design and administration of the income support system.

The teams' focus is on ensuring the financial assistance provided by MSD is effective and fit-for-purpose. This includes considering the impacts on financial incentives to work, the design and delivery of payments and the interactions of these payments with other systems.

The Welfare System and Income Support Policy Group is part of a busy, diverse, and friendly 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, developing and supporting staff to reach their full potential.

The Policy Branch provides advice to several Ministerial portfolios, including: social development and employment; child wellbeing and poverty reduction; disability issues; housing; seniors; and youth. The Policy Branch works closely with other teams within the Ministry as well as other government agencies and key external stakeholders.

**Skills and experience / He pūkenga tou**

We're keen to hear from motivated Senior Policy Analysts and Policy Analysts who will fit our collegial, supportive culture, and have the action orientation to shape, lead and contribute to policy work that is a priority for Ministers and our Chief Executive.

**Things we are looking for in all applicants**:

- strong analytical and critical thinking ability
- a track record producing quality policy advice or contributing to advice that is clear, well-reasoned and politically neutral
- great people skills and experience managing stakeholders
- clear communication skills
- understanding of te Ao Māori and commitment to upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi
- data and quantitative skills and experience are particularly desirable.

**Things we are looking for in applicants for the Senior Policy Analyst role will include**:

- experience providing or contributing to advice on complex issues independently and contributing to advice on highly complex issues
- providing coaching and contributing to building the capability of people in your team
- bringing together evidence to draw conclusions (e.g. on key issues and their root causes, interpreting complex data sets and translating findings into actionable insights to support policy recommendations).
- engaging with stakeholders and the community
- working collaboratively on projects both within and across agencies.
- curiosity
- perseverance
- clear communication skills
- collaborative working style.

**What are the benefits of working in Policy at MSD?**
- We work with a strong sense of purpose and people focus to deliver high quality policy advice in a fun, supportive environment that values everyone's contributions. We are proud of the collaboration that occurs across teams and the culture we've created.
- We are a large organisation with policies and services that support most New Zealanders at some point in their life - from Childcare Assistance to Superannuation.
- We work collaboratively with the service delivery groups of our ministry, to ensure fit for purpose policies - you can see the policies you've developed right through to operational implementation.
- MSD's strategic direction - Te Pae Tawhiti - sets out a strong vision and purpose for MSD.
- We are committed to building div