Policy Manager

About the Ministry for Social Development / Mō te Manatū Whakahiato Ora
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.

We aim to acknowledge and be guided by Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and to pursue the following values in our work:
Manaaki - We care about the wellbeing and success of peopleMahi tahi - We work together, making a difference for communitiesWhānau - We are inclusive and build a sense of belonging and placeTika me te pono - We do the right thing with integrity
Policy Manager - International Policy
- 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 our International Policy team at the Ministry of Social Development / Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora (MSD)

About the role / Te āhuatunga a te tūranga
The International policy team is part of the policy group at MSD that includes teams covering Disability, Seniors, and Child and Youth policy. The team has wide ranging responsibilities including negotiating and providing advice on Social Security Agreements, advising Ministers on entitlements for people living or intending to live overseas and the effect on entitlements for people who receive overseas pensions. Most recently, the team were instrumental in supporting people stranded overseas because of COVID-19. The team also manages the Ministry's international obligations, promoting the unique aspects of New Zealand's Social Security System to our international partners, along with maintaining relationships with the United Nations, the OECD and other international organisations.
The Manager role is responsible for a team of five Analysts and Senior Analysts. They work closely alongside other teams in the group including in particular the Older Peoples Policy team who have responsibility for NZ superannuation and the Income Support Policy team.
Internal MSD relationships are particularly important for this team whose work always has an operational impact, so strong relationships with Service Delivery and a good understanding of how things work in practice is essential for successful policy development.
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.

Skills and experience / He pūkenga tou
- Experience leading in a strategic environment and building relationships across a variety of stakeholders
- Experience producing and recognising high quality policy work
- Experience developing and managing high performing teams, with a focus on fostering a supportive team culture
- Developed skills in building the performance of individuals through coaching and attention to professional development
- An appropriate tertiary qualification or considerable, relevant practical experience
- Knowledge and confidence in one or more areas of social policy
- A good understanding of policy implementation and the issues likely to impact on it

This team is part of a busy Policy Branch. The branch has a supportive team environment where people are focused on delivering high quality policy advice. We work hard to ensure policy settings reflect 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 and supporting staff to reach their full potential.
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 respon