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, 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
- Permanent Role, Wellington-based

Are you passionate about making a difference for New Zealanders by improving the welfare system?
About the role / Te āhuatunga a te tūranga
We are seeking motivated Senior Policy Analysts to join our Welfare System and Income Support Policy group at the Ministry of Social Development / Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora (MSD).
The Welfare System team is responsible for supporting ongoing work across the Policy Branch on issues relating to the welfare system. The team is currently focused on system-level welfare settings to support the government's delivery of medium to long-term welfare overhaul initiatives and ensure that the welfare system is fair, accessible and fit for purpose.
The two Income Support teams are responsible for producing policy advice on a range of issues concerning the income support system. The teams focus on ensuring the financial assistance provided by MSD is effective and fit-for-purpose. This includes considering the adequacy of payments and impacts on poverty and inequality, the impacts on financial incentives to work, the design and delivery of payments and the interactions of these payments with other systems.
Welfare System and Income Support Policy 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.
- Regional, Social and Inquiries
- International, Disability and Generational
- Housing, Employment and Climate
- Welfare System and Income Support

Skills and experience / He pūkenga tou
We're keen to hear from motivated senior 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.

**The core parts of the role will include**:

- providing or contributing to advice on complex issues independently and contributing to advice on highly complex issues
- leading engagement with stakeholders and the community
- providing coaching and contributing to building the capability of people in your team

We are interested in hearing about any form of experience, in policy or otherwise, you might have that would contribute to this role.
- Critical thinking
- Clear communication skills
- Supporting a collegial environment
- Strong analytical skills
- Understanding of te Ao Māori and commitment to upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Organisation environment / Te taiao o te rōpū

**It is important to us to**:

- prioritise your wellbeing and development
- provide a flexible working environment where you can learn from a supportive and collegial team of experienced policy professionals
- develop your career though the opportunities that come from a broad and varied work programme and our commitment to your ongoing professional development
- collaborate and support each other and we make sure everyone has the chance to develop and to take on new challenges
- value diversity of thinking and background - this informs the creation of responsive policy that reflects the communities we serve.

MSD has several employee-led networks that build a sense of community for our people so that they can contribute, belong and thrive. Our employee-led networks include, but are not limited to:

- National Office Māori Staff Network - Te Tini ō te Raurearea
- Pasefika Helava
- Women's Network
- Pan Asian Network.

MSD is a CareWise employer. We commit to showing manaaki to people in our MSD whānau with caring commitments.
Position Description

**Salary range**: $109,099 - $132,455

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**: Friday 2nd June, 5 pm

Joining us
Joining MSD means being part of a whānau that celebrates the diversity each indivi