Policy Manager

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.

Policy Manager - Employment Policy Team
- Permanent Wellington based opportunity
- Varied, challenging and highly rewarding role
- Are you passionate about making a difference for New Zealanders?

We are seeking a motivated Policy Manager to lead one of two Employment Policy Teams at the Ministry of Social Development / Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora
MSD plays a key role in improving employment and social outcomes and supporting an equitable labour market through its employment services that help people into sustainable employment.
There is a lot of great work you could be involved in. Joining our team will give you the opportunity to lead and work on policies that make a difference for people who are disadvantaged in the labour market.
About our team - Mō te tīma
Employment
The Employment Policy Teams provide advice to Ministers and senior leaders on supporting people into suitable work in line with the Welfare Overhaul work programme and other Government priorities. This includes advising on what meaningful and sustainable employment looks like for people who experience disadvantage in the labour market, including those who receive a main benefit. A key part of our role is working across the Ministry, government and with other stakeholders to identify specific opportunities to improve people's employment outcomes, and influencing wider labour market strategy as well as social policy to ensure that they reflect the communities we serve.
About the role - Te āhuatunga a te tūranga
Reporting to the General Manager Employment and Housing, the Policy Manager is responsible for a team of Analysts and Senior Analysts.
We have two Employment Policy teams who collaborate to deliver a busy joint work programme with often tight timeframes. Strong communication and relationship management skills are essential as you will work closely with the other Policy Manager to manage priorities and ensure the teams are well supported to deliver on their work.
As a Policy Manager you will manage the functions and deliverables of the policy work programme, including setting strategy for the policy team and allocating resources to deliver to policy programmes. You will also lead the policy domain, provide policy advice, and manage the development and capability building of the Policy team.
A strong culture of focusing on those we are here to serve, and our own people is a priority for this team and the wider group. We are also committed to building our capability in considering Te Tiriti, Māori/Crown context and Te Ao Māori in our policy analysis and advice provision and giving effect to Te Mahere Mahi Kaupapa Here o Te Pae Tata - the Policy Groups Māori Action Plan.

Position Description

**Salary range**: $109,999.00 - $164,999.00

How to apply

**Note**: Your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the key responsibilities listed in the position description.

Joining us
Joining MSD means being part of a whānau that celebrates the diversity each individual represents. We show manaaki, we care about the wellbeing and success of people and want everyone to thrive, and be who they are in a supportive and inclusive working environment. We work together to make a difference for communities while doing the right thing with integrity. We are a Treaty partner committed to strengthening relationships with Māori, Hapū, Iwi and communities to realise their own potential and aspirations.
MSD has a COVID-19 vaccination policy that encourages, but does not require, employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and its variants, unless the role is identified as requiring vaccination at the time.