Policy Analyst, Tertiary Education Policy

New Zealand Government; Wellington; On-site; NZD 76,000 - 91,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

KiwiSaver

Job summary

The New Zealand Government seeks a Policy Analyst to join the Tertiary and Evidence policy group in Wellington. You will contribute to developing policy on funding levers, student financial support, and quality governance across tertiary education, working with agencies to deliver equitable outcomes.

This permanent, full-time role offers an established, supportive team and opportunities to influence Budget strategy, equity policy, and long-term system transformation.

Qualifications

• excellent knowledge of policy and government processes
• sound oral and written communication skills
• commitment to developing evidence-based policy analysis and advice
• ability to develop and work on complex and sensitive policy projects
• thrive in a fast-paced policy environment
• demonstrate knowledge of Te Ao Māori and promote tikanga and Te Reo Māori and te Tiriti o Waitangi

Responsibilities

• Develop policy advice on tertiary education funding, equity, and quality governance across the sector.
• Provide guidance on Budget strategy for the Tertiary Education portfolio.
• Engage with Government agencies and professional bodies to ensure joined-up policy implementation.
• Advise Ministers on policy implications and strategic options across tertiary education.

Skills

Policy knowledge

Oral & written comms

Evidence-based analysis

Complex policy management

Policy collaboration

Te Tiriti o Waitangi awareness

Job description

Help shape the future of education in New Zealand Help shape the future of Education We work to shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent outcomes Our organisation is made up of talented and committed people around Aotearoa, from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. While we work in different groups and on different things, we all strive every day to make the biggest difference we can for our students in our education system.

About this role

• Policy Analyst opportunities - Tertiary and Evidence Policy Group
• Permanent, full-time Wellington-based
• Learn in this established and supportive group

The team drives the Ministry’s advice on funding levers across the tertiary system, including tertiary education research, funding and fee regulation. Current and recent priorities include; undertaking a tertiary education funding review looking at changes to funding and fee settings, funding changes to support the Vocational Education and Training reforms, and, providing advice on Budget strategy for the Tertiary Education portfolio.

Tertiary Equity, Access and Participation Policy

The team is responsible for the Ministry’s advice on supporting people and communities to equitably participate in tertiary education. This includes policy responsibility for student financial support, foundation education and Māori tertiary education. The team also has a responsibility for providing policy advice on outcomes for key learner groups, including Māori, Pacific and disabled learners. Current and recent priorities include reviewing Youth Guarantee and looking at student financial support settings as part of a tertiary education funding review.

Tertiary Skills, Quality, and Governance Policy

The team takes a policy lead on education system issues at the point of connection between education, employment and training, with a particular focus on strategic connections, system transformation and direct engagement with significant players in this area - including Government agencies and professional associations. The team is the Ministry of Education representative on the OECD Vocational Skills group and the lead for strategic long-term policy thinking about employers’ interests and contributions to education and training, Quality Assurance and Governance for Tertiary providers and skills shortages/labour market policy settings.

Salary

Salary range: $75,815 - $91,347 per annum plus KiwiSaver. The successful candidate will be appointed at a salary which reflects individual skills and experience.

About you

• have excellent knowledge of policy and government processes
• have sound oral and written communication skills
• are committed to developing evidence-based policy analysis and advice
• are able to develop and work on complex and sensitive policy projects or programmes of work
• thrive in a fast-paced policy environment
• are interested in establishing strong working relationships across the wider Ministry and key government agencies
• demonstrate knowledge of, or a willingness to gain an understanding of Te Ao Māori and promote tikanga and Te Reo Māori
• have knowledge of, or a willingness to gain an appreciation of te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi) as it applies in the public sector.
• the ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.

About our group and team

The Tertiary and Evidence group leads interesting and challenging work programmes aimed at strengthening tertiary education at a systems level to ensure that it is inclusive, responsive, and delivers equitable outcomes for all learner groups. The Ministry’s role in tertiary education policy offers exciting challenges for policy professionals, including advising on key opportunity areas across the tertiary education system so that it continues to deliver for learners, communities and economy and how to give effect to Ministerial priorities. Our work sits across social and economic policy, and we work closely with other government agencies including TEC, NZQA, MBIE, ENZ, and others. Te Pou Kaupapahere is responsible for whole-of-system, end-to-end policy integration covering early learning, compulsory schooling, and tertiary including Māori medium, te reo Māori, Pacific and Learning Support. We hold the relationship with all Ministers and provide integrated policy advice to them. We collaborate across government organisations so our advice to Ministers is joined up. We’re proud of the culture in our policy teams. We appreciate and support each other and develop strong relationships that underpin our ability to deliver good work.

Are you ready to make a difference?

Applications close Midnight – Friday, 13 November 2026

For further information, please contact Anne Fontaine, Principal Advisor at [e-mail]