Senior Policy Advisor

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE
- Come and work in a team that operates at the juncture of international and domestic policy, helping to shape outcomes that improve opportunities for New Zealand businesses and consumers.
- Join a supportive and collaborative team with flexible working arrangements Tēnei tūranga - About the role:
The Trade Facilitation Team is looking for a Senior Policy Advisor to lead our Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) work programme. The Trade Facilitation team is responsible for ensuring that policies and regulations do not unnecessarily create barriers to trade, both domestically and internationally. This is done through helping to ensure government policy in New Zealand is consistent with our international trade obligations under the WTO TBT Agreement, and engaging bilaterally, regionally and multilaterally to help shape TBT policy and rules. The Trade Facilitation team is also responsible for the Standards and Conformance system as well as New Zealand’s tariff policy. We work closely with other agencies, particularly MFAT and MPI.

This is an interesting time to be working on international issues and to join a team participating in a wider NZ Inc effort to help support NZ’s international connections.

**The specific role responsibilities include**:

- Strengthening and coordinating MBIE’s relationships with domestic regulators, government agencies and businesses that have an interest in TBT issues
- Ensuring New Zealand’s policy and regulatory settings across a wide range of areas account for our international TBT obligations
- Supporting and at times leading aspects of the team’s work on Standards and Conformance issues, particularly where these influence our approach to TBT matters
- Supporting or leading the negotiation of TBT chapters in New Zealand’s Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), and the implementation of these free trade deals by participating in TBT Committees and associated projects
- Leading New Zealand’s multilateral engagement at the World Trade Organisation TBT Committee, particularly as it relates to TBT policy issues
- Supporting MBIEs wider work on trade and international issues, including through the oversight of work delivered by junior staff

This role will report to the Team Leader - Trade Facilitation and is based out of Wellington.

Ngā pukenga me ngā wheako e hiahiatia ana - Skills and experience required:
Our Senior Policy Advisors work across different levels to share their own knowledge with others. With the wide variety of work across the different policy areas, there are numerous development opportunities to grow and build their careers within MBIE.
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.

**Ideally you will 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

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. 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. We encourage excellence and proactively support professional development. We'll help you manage a healthy work-life balance with flexi-time and access to health insurance.

If the opportunity to join an effective, flexible and supportive team with scope to grow then we would welcome the opportunity to discuss this role further with you.

**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 mak