Manager, Policy

Policy Manager
Wellington-based, Permanent opportunity
Ko wai mātou | About us
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) provides national leadership to New Zealand's distributed emergency management system. NEMA's primary focus is on the performance and capability of the emergency management system as a whole, across all hazards and all risks and the 4 Rs of risk reduction, readiness, response and recovery.
Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role
In this role you will be responsible for leading NEMA's policy function, spanning strategy to operations. You will:

- Actively support NEMA's Chief Executive providing policy leadership to Ministers, Senior leaders in partner agencies, the wider public/sector and with iwi/Māori.
- Provide strategic leadership and overall management and oversight for the delivery of high quality, high value policy advice to the Minister for Emergency Management and senior officials on emergency management policy issues.
- Work collaboratively to provide strategic policy advice that contributes to NEMA's stewardship and assurer roles across the emergency management system and interface with the national security system.

The position sits with the Policy Unit that is responsible for representing NEMA by navigating and influencing the government-policy interface that enables all NEMA's strategic roles: as steward, operator and assure of the emergency management system. The Policy Unit is responsible for providing emergency management related policy advice to government, the CDEM sector, and the wider emergency management and national security systems. The Policy Unit also supports NEMA, its Regional Emergency Management Advisors and CDEM Groups.
Working for NEMA comes with additional rewarding activities aligned to your skill set. In the event of a national emergency response, such as the response to Cyclone Gabrielle there will be a requirement to provide rostered support. An emergency response of national significance allows you and your colleagues to experience working as a cohesive team, at pace, often in an environment of ambiguity, in the heart of the National Crisis Management Centre.
Ko wai koe | About you
- Experience in managing policy teams
- Extensive experience in developing and providing policy advice, and working with ministerial offices and briefing Ministers
- Providing policy advice in a public sector organisation or demonstrable experience in a relevant field.
- Experience in, and an ability to provide insight, input and advice on a range of strategic and operational policy matters.
- Can facilitate the development of effective solutions to urgent issues within a team.
- Excellent communication and relationship management skills, including the ability to communicate complex issues and concepts succinctly and with influence.
- Knowledge of the machinery of government, particularly Cabinet process.

Ta matou e tuku | What we offer
The salary range midpoint is $191,882 per annum including Kiwisaver contribution. Appointment will be based on skills and experience.
NEMA values diversity and inclusion. We want our workforce to reflect the diversity of our communities. We value and respect the contributions of our people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, skills and perspectives.
Staff wellbeing is our priority and a positive work life balance is encouraged.
Whakaritenga Haumaru | Security Requirements
This position requires New Zealand citizenship or Permanent Residence, and the ability to obtain and maintain a national security clearance at Top Secret level. You must satisfactorily complete pre-employment checks which will include, but are not limited to, criminal and credit checks.
Me pehea te tono | How to apply