Analyst - Senior and Principal Policy Analyst

About us - Ko wai mātou

Our purpose is to shift the system using data and evidence so that the system invests earlier and more effectively to improve the lives of New Zealanders. We focus our efforts where we can make the greatest impact and collaborate with agencies and stakeholders to highlight policy issues that fall between the gaps.

As a central government agency, our people are our centre. They're curious, agile and hardworking, and instinctively care about the wellbeing of others. We are committed to a safe and inclusive workplace and value the diversity everyone brings.

We embrace our diverse workforce and culture, and we support flexible working arrangements. We welcome applications from everyone, regardless of gender identity, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, or religion.

If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to tell us when you apply so we can assist you through the recruitment process.

About the team - Mō te Rōpū

The System Performance and Investment Advice group is responsible for delivering our central agency responsibilities and influencing the system to adopt social investment approaches. The group works closely with Ministers to provide policy advice on designing the system and where to invest across the system to drive key outcomes.

We advise on system performance using data and evidence of what works to make credible recommendations about investment opportunities to Ministers. The System Investment and Performance team is one of two teams in the System Performance and Advice Group.

The team is accountable for:

• investment and performance advice: improve the system's understanding of impact, provide investment advice to agencies and Ministers, proactively identify investment opportunities to improve outcomes, identify opportunities for changes to where and how agencies invest services, and advise on how performance in one part of the system affects other parts
• system performance insights: drawing on a range of sources (qualitative and quantitative methods), deliver insights to Ministers that are operationally and strategically grounded and actionable
• system monitoring: monitor the Fund's performance alongside the performance of other investing entities.

The System Design and Coordination team is accountable for providing the information and insights to support evidence-based systems policy.

What we are looking for

We encourage applications from candidates with diverse professional backgrounds. Our recruitment approach is intentionally progressive, reflecting our belief that a variety of experiences strengthens our team and the impact we can have.

As a newly established team, System Investment and Performance is building capability across multiple disciplines. Our goal is to bring together people whose combined strengths enable us to produce insights that are comprehensive, meaningful and able to drive positive change across the system.

A strong systems thinking approach is especially important - helping us understand how different parts of the system interact, where leverage points sit, and how investment decisions can create long-term, cross-sector benefits.

We are looking for proactive, motivated individuals who enjoy working in dynamic, collaborative environments and who bring strong strategic thinking skills to their work.

If you have experience in any of the following areas, we would welcome your application: economic or financial policy, corporate or public sector finance, accounting, performance measurement, intelligence, research, or data interpretation and translation.

Job descriptions

To view a copy of the following job descriptions, please copy and paste the links into your browser:

• Policy Analyst -
• Senior Policy Analyst -
• Principal Policy Analyst -

Salary - Utu ā-tau

• Policy Analyst: Band 16 - $90,483 to $106,450
• Senior Policy Analyst: Band 17 - $106,760 to $125,600
• Principal Policy Analyst: Band 19 - $148,878 to $175,150

How to apply - Tono mai

To apply for this role please click the 'apply now' button and follow the online process.

Closing date

Applications close at 11.59pm on Tuesday, 2 December 2025; however, we will review applications as they come in and may invite people to interview before the close date.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if an ideal person is found before the close date. If you have any questions, please email

We look forward to receiving your application.