Policy Advisor

• Senior and Principal Policy Advisor positions available
• Permanent opportunity
• Wellington based

The Economic Evaluation and Measurement team, Policy is a newly established function within Inland Revenue, designed to embed robust economic evaluation into the design and review of compliance interventions and programmes. The team works closely with the rest of the Policy group, Compliance Strategy, and Data Analytics and Insights to deliver high-impact insights that inform strategic and operational decisions.

Ara Whiwhi Mahi - The opportunity

These specialist roles will support the Chief Economist and Strategic Policy Advisor to build capability for the analysis and modelling of economic and tax behaviour, and to design and deliver economic evaluations of compliance interventions. You'll play a key role in shaping IR's approach to economic evaluation and ensuring its integration into compliance processes and programmes.

Key accountabilities include the following:

• Develop and apply econometric and statistical models to assess the impacts of compliance interventions on tax revenue collected and other key behavioural outcomes
• Develop frameworks to ensure the relevance and usability of evaluation evidence to solve policy problems
• Engage with stakeholders across IR to ensure alignment with policy and operational priorities

Mōu - About you

To be successful you will bring the following:

• Degree in economics or econometrics
• Proven expertise in econometric modelling and causal inference methods
• Experience in designing and delivering economic evaluations in a public sector or research setting
• Experience leading projects and influencing strategic direction
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to deliver advanced analytical insights using large administrative datasets

Additional for a Principal Policy Advisor:

• Experience (ten-fifteen years) as an economist, econometrician, or policy advisor in a public sector setting
• Ability to coach and mentor others, to drive evaluation capability development in the team

Mō mātou - About us

Policy advises Government on a range of tax and social policy issues. We research and develop policy options and present policy recommendations to senior officials and ministers. We also prepare the legislation arising from those policy recommendations and support it through the legislative process.

You will:

• be part of a hugely exciting policy agenda that affects all New Zealanders and really make a difference
• be part of one of the highest performing policy shops in Government, where you will have the chance to hone and develop your skills to the highest level
• work in a high performing team in which people enjoy their work and support each other when in need
• learn and contribute to legislative change and learn the parliamentary process
• be committed to strengthening Māori Crown relationships under Te Tiriti o Waitangi/ the Treaty of Waitangi.

At Te Tari Taake Inland Revenue we're passionate about Aotearoa New Zealand being a great place to live and work. We're making it simpler for everyone to pay tax that pays for things like health care, education and protecting the environment.

IR is committed to building an inclusive workplace free from inequalities, where all our people are valued, respected and feel supported to reach their full potential.

Tono mai - Apply here

Please outline in your application how your skills and experience align with the advert and role description. For more information about the role and to request a copy of the Role Description, please contact

Like you, we pride ourselves on our friendly and informative communication. If you need accessibility assistance at any point in the application process or would like to know more about what accessibility and inclusion means to us, please call to leave a message and a member of the team will be in touch.

Applications close at 9am on Monday, 24 November 2025

Please note, we'll review applications as they come in and you will hear from us before advertising closes.

Click here to view the role description