Senior Advisor, Operational Policy

Senior Policy Advisor, Operational Policy

Wellington-Based Permanent Role

Help shape the future of New Zealand's emergency management system.

Use your operational policy skills to develop and implement government policy.

Provide policy advice to government during and after emergencies.

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.

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. We support flexible ways of working that bring out the best in you.

We are committed to doing our part to deliver on the Crown's commitments to Māori under Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We strive to actively build te Ao Māori perspectives and capability into our day to day work, values and practices.

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About the role

You will be part of NEMA's Policy Unit which provides emergency management-related policy advice to government, the emergency management sector, and wider national security system.

The Policy Unit has a Strategic Policy Team and an Operational Policy Team. You will be housed in the Operational Policy Team and primarily work on operational policy issues. However, a flexible approach is critical to working in our small unit. Depending on your skills and experience, career goals, and government priorities, you may work on projects across the Unit.

NEMA is embarking on an ambitious journey to strengthen its regulatory and assurance function to ensure that the emergency management system is operating as intended. This will involve analysis and advice on regulations and standards and managing the machinery of government processes to establish them.

Your role would also include providing day-to-day operational policy advice to the Minister, the NEMA Executive and operational teams in NEMA on existing emergency management policy and legislation. You will also analyse and coordinate second opinion advice on the policy work of other agencies which has implications for emergency management.

As NEMA is an operational agency, there may be a requirement to support emergency response.  This may include potentially long hours and challenging working conditions, e.g. an emergency could occur at any time of the day or night and may require working shifts and/or working weekends. NEMA provides thorough training prior to you being required to assist in a response. NEMA will do all in its power to support staff in meeting their work and family responsibilities during an emergency. The welfare and wellbeing of our staff is of upmost importance.

Due to the nature of our role in Emergency Management, NEMA has a very dynamic work environment and, as a small agency, staff are often required to pivot and change focus on their work at short notice. Attributes of adaptability, agility, resilience and curiosity are required, in and out of times of emergency response.

Ko wai koe | About you

We are looking for candidates with the following attributes:

• Proven experience scoping and leading operational policy projects and development of operational policy using relevant policy frameworks and analytical tools to analyse issues and develop advice.

• Experience in regulatory design and developing secondary legislation and using related machinery of government processes.

• Ability to think strategically about issues using systems-thinking approaches when developing policy advice.

• Acts with an understanding of the Crown's obligations under the Te Tiriti o Waitangi and applying Māori perspectives to policy advice.

• Strong communication and influencing skills, including an ability to proactively build and leverage collaborative internal and external stakeholder relationships.

• Excellent writing skills to present complex ideas so they can be easily understood.

• A high standard of professionalism, integrity, and accountability.

• An existing understanding of emergency management, national security, and/or risk management is desirable but not essential.

Ta matou e tuku | What we offer

We pride ourselves on the quality of our staff and understand the importance of fostering a working environment where excellence is recognised and where staff are encouraged to develop their own talents and potential. We welcome diversity, in all its forms and we believe it is a strength.

The indicative BASE salary for this role is $109,621 to $119,701.  NEMA has a number of benefits on top of the salary, including Departmental leave and wellbeing allowances.

Whakaritenga Haumaru | Security Requirements

Due to the security requirements of this role, applicants must be a New Zealand citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident.

Me pehea te tono | How to apply

Please select 'Apply' to download a position description or apply. If you have any questions, contact us at  

To view the full job description please click here.

Applications close 12pm, 24 November 2025.