Permanent FT Policy Advisor – Disability Services

New Zealand Government; Wellington; On-site; NZD 79,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

Ministry of Social Development (MSD) in Wellington is seeking an Advisor Operational Policy to translate policy into practical guidance and work across DSS to implement policy changes. Based in our National Office, you will provide high‑quality advisory support, identify operational impacts of change, and contribute to policy and service design that improves outcomes for disabled people and whānau.

You will collaborate with DSS and MSD teams, translating strategic policy into clear operational

Qualifications

• Experience in developing operational policy and guidelines (service delivery environment preferred).
• Knowledge of operational, delivery or policy processes in a public sector (preferred) or other service delivery environment.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to develop high quality operational policy, guidelines and reports.
• Exercises sound judgement and political sensitivity.
• Ability to build trusted relationships across DSS and wider stakeholders.
• Strong problem solving, planning and organisational skills, and the ability to prioritise and meet tight deadlines.
• Understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its application in policy and operational contexts.

Responsibilities

• Translating strategic policy into clear, workable operational policy through analysis, option development and recommendations.
• Providing expert advice to ensure operational policy complies with legislative / regulatory requirements, and government decisions.
• Developing and supporting implementation of guidelines.
• Supporting the design and use of systems, tools and methodologies that enable policy to be implemented effectively in practice.
• Building strong relationships across DSS to support joined-up implementation.

Skills

Operational policy development

Policy analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Public sector experience

Communication skills

Job description

Ministry of Social Development (MSD) in Wellington is seeking an Advisor Operational Policy to translate policy into practical guidance and work across DSS to implement policy changes. Based in our National Office, you will provide high‑quality advisory support, identify operational impacts of change, and contribute to policy and service design that improves outcomes for disabled people and whānau.

You will collaborate with DSS and MSD teams, translating strategic policy into clear operational