Senior Policy Analyst and Policy Analysts

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 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 Analysts (Housing & Employment)
- Permanent Opportunities
- Location: Wellington

We're seeking motivated and experienced Senior Policy Analyst and Policy Analysts to join our busy Housing and Employment Policy Teams at the Ministry of Social Development (MSD).
There is a lot of great work you could be involved in. Joining our teams will give you the opportunity to lead and work on policies that make a difference for people who need support the most.
We will provide you with a range of diverse experiences from short to long-term work. You will work both across MSD and with a range of agencies and stakeholders.

Te āhua o te tūranga / About the roles
Housing policy
Affordable, safe, and stable housing is fundamental to employment and independence. To support this, the Housing Policy Team at MSD has a focus on ensuring that vulnerable people at the lower end of the housing market have a safe and healthy place to live to build better lives.
MSD's role in housing policy includes responsibility for the provision of policy advice on housing-related social assistance, a focus on the lower end of the housing market and supporting MSD service delivery to improve housing outcomes and employment and greater independence for the most vulnerable. MSD works with stakeholders to develop responses to weather and other adverse events, and we contribute to the advice being developed by other agencies and provide second-opinion advice to our Ministers.

Employment Policy
The two Employment Policy Teams focus on ensuring that people have the right support at the right time to get into (and stay in) work. This work is critical to supporting a functional labour market and improving the wellbeing of some of New Zealand's most vulnerable people.
MSD's role in employment policy includes responsibility for providing advice on employment programmes for people disadvantaged in the labour market, so they can overcome barriers to finding and retaining employment. In doing so, we support MSD staff to deliver better employment outcomes, and to reduce the time jobseekers spend on benefit.
We work closely with other teams within the Ministry, in particular Service Delivery, with other government agencies, and for some policies, with key external stakeholders. This includes work to improve the functioning of the welfare system and effectiveness of government investment.
The work requires the ability to rise to urgent requests with tight timeframes through to planning and preparing work with a 6 month to 2-year timeframe. In doing so, you'll be part of work to address both immediate issues and prepare for long-term labour market changes.

You will be part of a wider supportive policy branch
The Housing and Employment Policy teams are part of a busy, diverse, and friendly Policy Branch. There's a great vibe across the Branch where people are focused on delivering high quality policy advice in a positive, supportive team environment. We focus on staff wellbeing and personal work/life balance. We pride ourselves on investing in developing and supporting staff to reach their full potential.
- Regional, Social and Inquiries
- International, Disability and Generational
- Housing, Employment and Climate Change
- Welfare System and Income Support

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako / Skills and experience
- We're keen to hear from motivated senior analysts and policy analysts with a track record in policy advice.
- We're looking for great people skills as you'll be working with stakeholders across our organisation and externally.
- We're keen on people 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.
- You'll need strong analytical and critical thinking ability and excellent judgement.

If you're considering the Senior Analyst role, we'll also expect you to demonstrate
- leadership ability and experience in providing advice on complex issues along with the skills and an interest in coaching and developing others.
- skills in building relationships and leading engagement with stakeholders, both internally and externally to the Ministry.
- experience in enhanc