Principal Policy Advisor

JacksonStone & Partners; Wellington; On-site; NZD 96,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

JacksonStone & Partners is seeking an experienced public policy practitioner to operate at a strategic level, leading complex pieces of work and advising the CEO, Board, Minister and senior leadership team. This contract role requires developing strategic policies, governance frameworks and cross-organisational initiatives, with a focus on long-term policy horizons.

The role is based in Wellington and is a full-time hourly contract through February 2027, with a strong emphasis on policy

Qualifications

• Significant experience as a principal policy advisor in NZ government agencies.
• Proven track record developing strategic policies for complex work.
• Experience engaging with Boards, senior leaders and Ministers.
• Excellent communication and relationship management skills.
• Ability to identify policy gaps, risks and opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic policy and thought leadership.
• Develop policy advice for long-horizon issues.
• Act as a trusted advisor to CE and senior leaders.
• Shape and implement policy frameworks, governance and decision-making approaches.
• Lead cross-organisational policy initiatives and programmes.
• Lead the development and QA of ministerial briefings, Cabinet materials and Board papers.

Skills

Policy strategy

Stakeholder engagement

Board and minister liaison

Policy risk analysis

Coaching junior policy practitioners

Job description

• Hourly rate contract until February 2027
• Work on complex, future focused pieces of work
• Thought leader, providing advice to the Board, Minister and SLT

• Hourly rate contract until February 2027
• Work on complex, future focused pieces of work
• Thought leader, providing advice to the Board, Minister and SLT

About the Role

This is an opportunity for an experienced public policy practitioner, to operate at strategic level leading complex pieces of work and providing advice to the CE, Board, the Minister and the senior leadership team.

Key Responsibilities

This is a contract role to develop strategic policies and frameworks to support the current work programme and the long-term future of the organisation.

Key responsibilities include:

• Provide strategic policy and thought leadership.
• Develop policy advice for complex issues with long term horizons.
• Act as a trusted advisor to the CE and senior leaders.
• Shape and implement policy frameworks, governance arrangements and decision making approaches.
• Lead cross-organisational policy initiatives and work programmes.
• Lead the development and quality assurance of ministerial briefings, Cabinet related material and Board papers.

Skills & Experience Required

• Significant experience as a principal policy advisor working in New Zealand government agencies.
• A proven track record developing strategic policies for complex pieces of work.
• Experience and comfort providing advice and engaging with Boards, senior leaders and Ministers.
• Excellent communication and relationship management skills.
• The ability to identify, analyse and advise on policy gaps, risks and opportunities.
• Experience providing coaching and quality assurance to more junior policy practitioners.

This is an hourly rate contract starting asap until mid to late February 2027. The hours are full-time, based in a Wellington CBD office.

To apply for this position, you must be currently residing in New Zealand, and either be a NZ Citizen, Permanent Resident, or have a valid NZ Work Visa.

REFERENCE: BH-11795

FURTHER ENQUIRIES: Mary Kent on 04 550 8021