Senior 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, whanau and communities.

As a Te Tiriti o Waitangi partner we are committed to supporting and enabling Maori, whanau, hapu, 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 - Child and Youth Policy**
- Great people & culture
- Permanent role
- Based at the National Office in Wellington

**_We are seeking a motivated Senior Policy Analyst to join our Child and Youth Policy team at the Ministry of Social Development (MSD)._**

**Mo te tunga / About the role**

The Child and Youth Policy team has a diverse work programme, which focuses on children and young people up to the age of 24 years old. Some of the areas we're involved in include providing policy advice to support:

- young people not in education, employment, or training, or young people receiving a Youth Payment or Young Parent Payment through the Youth Service
- children and young people as they transition or age out of Oranga Tamariki care to services provided by MSD, which includes supporting carers of these children through financial assistance and other types of services
- the Children and Young People's Commission and Independent Children's Monitor, which together with the Ombudsman have oversight and monitoring of the children's system, and
- New Zealand's obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

This team is part of a busy 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 work hard to ensure policy settings are responsive to 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.

**Mou / About you**

We are looking for someone who will fit our collegial, supportive culture, and have the action orientation to shape and lead on policy work that is a priority for Ministers and our Chief Executive.

**Mou - Nga Pukenga me nga Wheako / Skills and experience**

You might be an experienced Senior Policy Analyst or a Policy Analyst who's looking to make a step up.

You'll need to have great people skills as you'll be working with stakeholders across our organisation and with other agencies.

You'll need strong analytical and critical thinking ability and excellent judgement.

You'll bring leadership ability, with the skills and an interest in coaching and developing others.

**Nou te rourou / What's in it for you**

We are a large organisation with policies and services that support most New Zealanders at some point in their life - from Childcare Assistance to Public Housing to Superannuation.

We work collaboratively with the service delivery groups of our Ministry and with our policy colleagues across government, to ensure fit for purpose policies - you can see the policies you've developed right through to operational implementation.

Our practice is guided by a foundation of shared cultural behaviours that has embedded a positive and supportive working environment.

We are committed to building diversity, accessibility, and inclusion in our workplace.

We can offer flexible working arrangements to suit individual needs.

**Position Description**

Senior Policy Analyst Position Description

**Salary range: $112,372.00 - $136,429.00**

**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.

**Closing date: Sunday the 18th May, 2025.**

**Joining us**

Joining MSD means being part of a whanau 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 Maori, Hapu, 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._