Principal Advisor

New Zealand Government; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 130,000 - 168,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work options

Online professional development portal

Inclusive networks

Job summary

The Ministry of Justice, part of the New Zealand Government, has a fixed-term opportunity for a Principal Policy Adviser in Wellington. The role is based at the National Office and will cover policy work in the District Court and Criminal Procedure teams, up to 30 June 2027.

We value leadership, advisory capability, and the ability to communicate complex policy issues clearly while maintaining strong stakeholder relationships across government and external partners.

Qualifications

• Leadership experience on significant policy projects and coaching approach to enhance advisor capability.
• Extensive knowledge of machinery of government and public policy; ability to think critically and test analyses.
• Excellent written and oral communication; present complex issues accessibly; influence decision-makers.
• Strong stakeholder engagement across internal and external groups; incorporate diverse perspectives.

Responsibilities

• Shape thinking and drive legislative change across the justice sector and government.
• Interface with the executive, parliamentary and judicial branches of government.
• Work on a broad range of important and challenging policy problems; build and maintain relationships.

Skills

Leadership skills

Advisory skills

Communication skills

Relationship skills

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification

Job description

Principal Policy Adviser – Wellington

Fixed term to 30June2027

Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini. Success is not the work of one, but the work of many.

We have a fixed-term opportunity in the District Court and Criminal Procedure team in the Policy Group at the Ministry of Justice, to cover a secondment until 30June2027.

Work in the Justice Policy Group includes opportunities to shape thinking and drive legislative change across the justice sector and all of government. We work at the interface of the executive, parliamentary and judicial branches of government. Our work is interesting and challenging, with a chance to apply your critical thinking and relationship management skills.

Ō pūkenga/Skills and Experience

If you have policy experience and are a thoughtful problem solver and you work well as part of a team, then we want to hear from you.

• Leadership skills – Experience in leading others in significant policy projects, and applying a coaching approach to enhance the capability of advisors and senior advisors.
• Advisory skills – Extensive knowledge of machinery of government and public policy, and the ability to think critically and anticipate risks and test analyses.
• Communication skills – Excellent written and oral communication skills – in particular, the ability to present complex issues in an accessible way, ask questions to improve understanding, and influence decision-makers.
• Relationship skills – Strong skills in engaging diverse internal and external stakeholders, and incorporating their perspectives.

We will support your well-being and professional development, empower you to coach others, and be coached by experienced policy professionals, and provide opportunities to work on a broad range of important and challenging policy problems.

The successful candidate will have a relevant tertiary qualification, knowledge, skills, and experience. Experience with the legislative process is an advantage but is not essential. Te Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi analysis skills are highly desirable.

Applicants must have the right to work in NewZealand.

This role is based at National Office in Wellington, so we are not able to consider applications for full-time remote work. We are, however, open to discussing flexible working options that work for both you and the business.

Mō mātou/About us

At Te Tāhū o te Ture – the Ministry of Justice, we're committed to strengthening people's trust in the law of Aotearoa, NewZealand.

Joining Te Tāhū o te Ture means you will become part of an organisation that welcomes and supports people of all gender identities, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, disabilities and religions.

Ngā painga o tēnei wāhi mahi/What's great about working here

We offer you a range of benefits to support your wellbeing and help make the Ministry a great place to be.

• Flexible work hours where possible
• An online professional development portal
• Access to a variety of inclusive and proactive networks

See our full range of benefits here.

With a wide range of jobs, you also get the chance to gain a variety of skills and experience while developing your career.

Utu ā-tau/Salary

The appointing salary for this role will be between $130,129 to $168,062 pro rata based on skills and experience.

Contact

If you have any questions, please contact [e-mail].