Principal Policy Advisor

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE
- Actively shape policy initiatives contributing to economic development and the transition to a high wage, low emissions, and resilient economy.
- Join a small, dynamic and collaborative team.
- Salary $132,417 - $162,472, Wellington CBD, KiwiSaver and Wellness Benefits.

**Tēnei tūranga - About the Role**:
We are seeking a Principal Policy Advisor to join our Enterprise Policy team. You will play a leading role in developing and delivering our work programme in an expansive policy domain that shapes the New Zealand economy for the future. In this role, you will be leading out significant parts of the team’s policy and partnership work programme, supporting the Manager in team leadership, and supporting the development of team members.

This is a permanent position. MBIE supports a wide range of flexible working arrangements. Talk to us about what might work for both you and us.

About the Team
The Enterprise Policy team works in a complex, ambiguous, and fluid environment to develop and continuously improve New Zealand’s system of graduated business supports. It develops a deep understanding of the system and provides considered advice about where Government can prioritise enhancements to contribute to a high wage, low emissions, and resilient New Zealand economy.

While the role is based in the MBIE and ultimately reports to the Minister of Economic Development, success rests on the team's ability to connect across many parts of government - including New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and Callaghan Innovation - and with several other portfolios - including Small Business, Research, Science and Innovation, and Trade and Export Growth.

This role sits in the Economic Development and Transitions Branch, within the Labour Science and Enterprise Group of MBIE. Our work drives Aotearoa’s economic transformation and shapes economic development thinking to create a more productive, sustainable, and inclusive economy. In an ambiguous and complex environment, we work in partnership to actively provide respected and frank advice, to influence and coordinate, and deliver policy solutions that work.

Why work for us?

Developing our policy staff is a key focus for MBIE. We have a culture where policy staff are empowered to bring fresh perspectives to issues and to think ‘outside the box’. Being the largest ‘policy shop’ in NZ, MBIE offers significant opportunity for developing experience across a broad variety of areas. We encourage excellence and proactively support development through on-the-job learning, training courses, conferences and seminars, development programmes, secondments, rotations to other branches and study opportunities.

Ngā pukenga me ngā wheako e hiahiatia ana - Skills and Experience Required

The Principal Policy Advisor is a leadership position in MBIE. You will bring your proven policy, relationship and delivery skills to support our work with key partners.
Experience in economic development policy would be valuable, but most important is the ability to think analytically and strategically through issues. An ability to engage effectively with sector stakeholders to influence outcomes is critical.

**We are keen to hear from you if you have**:

- A strong understanding of policy processes, delivering robust and strategic analysis and advice
- Effectively led and delivered complex work programmes
- Built credible, respected relationships and engaged with diverse stakeholders to influence outcomes (including Ministers, staff in partner agencies, Māori partners, industry partners, and other key external stakeholders)
- The ability to communicate coherently and with clarity on complex issues
- Provided active coaching and mentoring support to others
- Flexibly responded to changes in priorities and demands for work, and managed associated risks
- Must have legal right to live and work in New Zealand

**Ētahi kōrero mō MBIE - About MBIE**:
MBIE's goal is to create a resilient and high-performing economy that delivers real and ongoing quality of life for all New Zealanders.

We do this by working with others to create an environment that supports businesses to be more productive and internationally competitive, enables all New Zealanders to participate in the economy through improved job opportunities and by working to ensure quality housing is more affordable.

People are at the heart of our mahi, our way of working is guided by our values which shape our behaviours.
- Mahi Tahi - Better Together
- Māia - Bold and brave
- Pae Kahurangi - Build our Future
- Pono Me Te Tika - Own It

Our aspirations are echoed in our Māori identity - Hīkina Whakatutuki - which broadly means ‘lifting to make successful'.

MBIE recognises the partnership founded under Te Tiriti o Waitangi between Māori and the Crown and is committed to giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We will do this through enduring, meaningf