Policy Advisor

New Zealand Government; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 75,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

KiwiSaver

Wellness benefits

Job summary

MBIE's Labour Market Policy team, within the Employment, Skills and Immigration branch, is seeking a Policy Advisor to develop strategic advice for Ministers. You will work with other agencies to shape programmes and policies that help people into work, ensure businesses have needed skills, and support workforce planning across sectors.

Flexible working options are available and this is a permanent full-time Wellington-based role.

Qualifications

• Excellent policy analysis and advisory skills.
• The ability to think strategically.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across agencies and with industry partners.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex issues clearly and succinctly.
• Must have legal right to live and work in NZ.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategic advice to Ministers on labour market and workforce policy issues.
• Collaborate with other skills and employment agencies to develop advice on programmes and policies that support people into work and help businesses find the needed skills.
• Partner with industry and government agencies to support workforce planning in key sectors and respond to issues as they arise (e.g., fuel supply challenges).
• Undertake analysis of potential labour market impacts and provide advice on government responses to developments.
• Identify emerging trends and risks affecting workers, employers and the economy, including AI and demographic shifts.

Skills

Policy analysis

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder engagement

Written and verbal communication

NZ work rights

Job description

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE Discover a career with purpose at MBIE Develop strategic advice to Ministers on labour market and workforce policy issues Collaborate across government and industry to shape employment, skills, and workforce initiatives Analyse emerging trends and influence government responses to future labour market challenges Salary $75,114 - $93,724 + KiwiSaver + wellness benefits Permanent full time | Wellington-based

About the Role - Tēnei tūranga:

MBIE's Labour Market Policy team is part of the Employment, Skills and Immigration branch. We shape how New Zealand's labour market works so that people and businesses can thrive. We have a Policy Advisor position available where you will develop strategic advice to Ministers. You will work closely with other skills and employment agencies to develop advice on programmes and policies that support people into work, help businesses find the skills they need, and strengthen workforce capability. You will also partner with industry and government agencies to support workforce planning in key sectors and respond to specific issues, such as fuel supply challenges, as they arise. The team looks ahead to identify emerging trends and risks that could affect workers, employers, and the wider economy, such as advances in artificial intelligence (AI), demographic change, or shifts in industries and occupations. You will undertake analysis of potential labour market impacts and provide advice on how government can respond to these developments. Within our team, we offer flexible working options. Talk to us about what may work for you and us.

Skills and Experience Required - Ngą pukenga me ē ą wheako e hiahiatia ana

• Excellent policy analysis and advisory skills
• The ability to think strategically
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across agencies and with industry partners
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex issues clearly and succinctly
• Must have legal right to live and work in NZ.

About MBIE - Ćtahi kōrero mŅ 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 TeTiritio Waitangi between Māori and the Crown and is committed to giving effect to TeTiritio Waitangi. We will do this through enduring, meaningful and effective partnerships with iwi, Māori, other Māori groups/organisations and the Crown, as this is critical to enable economic and social development, both for Māori and for wider Aotearoa New Zealand. We are committed to continuing to partner with iwi in order to find new sustainable solutions to address long standing systemic and cross-cutting issues facing Māori and wider Aotearoa New Zealand and we are also committed to identifying opportunities for iwi to lead and creating an enabling environment for iwi to leverage these opportunities. E mōhio ana a Hīkina Whakatutuki i puea ake te kōtuinga I waenganui i a ngāi Māori me te Karauna i Te Tiriti o Waitangi, ā, kei te whai ia ki te whakaū ake i Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Mā te whai kiko o ē kōtuinga ahunga roa o ą iwi, o ē Māori, me ētahi atu rōpū Māori ki te Karauna, ka tutuki tēnei. He ąhuatanga nui tēnei e ēhei ai ą mahi whanaketanga ą‑ohanga, ą‑pāpori hoki ki a ē Māori me Aotearoa whānui. E whai tonu ana mŅ ki te ątui atu ki ą iwi mō te rapu huarahi hou ki te ąkaka i ą kaupapa kua roa nei e ą ana i a ē Māori me Aotearoa whānui, ā, e ą ana hoki ki te tautohu i ą āheinga kōkiritanga mā ē iwi, me te tautoko i ē iwi kia whai mana ake ai ą āheinga.

Applications close 13 September 2026