Principal Policy Advisor

CGR Services; Wellington; On-site; NZD 130,000 - 168,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work hours

Inclusive networks

Wellbeing support and coaching

Job summary

Ministry of Justice in Wellington is seeking a Principal Advisor for the Access to Justice Policy team on a fixed-term basis until 30 March 2027. This role shapes thinking and drives legislative change across the justice sector.

You will scope, plan and analyse policy, legislative and operational implications of proposed law reform, lead programmes of work, and provide authoritative advice while coaching others.

Qualifications

• Leadership experience in significant policy projects with coaching of advisors
• Extensive knowledge of machinery of government and public policy
• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing decision-makers
• Excellent written and oral communication of complex issues

Responsibilities

• Scope, plan and analyse policy, legislative and operational implications of proposed law reform
• Lead programmes of work on complex and sensitive issues
• Provide authoritative advice and support capability within the team

Skills

Leadership

Advisory skills

Relationship skills

Communication

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification

Job description

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

Te Haeata/The Opportunity

We have a fixed-term opportunity in the Access to Justice Policy team in the Policy Group at the Ministry of Justice, until 30 March 2027.

Work in the Justice Policy Group includes opportunities to shape thinking and drive legislative change across the justice sector and all of government. Our work is interesting and challenging, with a chance to apply your critical thinking and relationship management skills. The role will include scoping, planning and analysis of the policy, legislative and operational implications of proposed law reform.

Principal Advisors in the Policy Group bring deep policy experience to fill key leadership roles within our teams. They support capability, provide authoritative advice, and lead programmes of work on complex and sensitive issues. Our work is interesting and challenging, with a chance to apply your critical thinking and relationship management skills.

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.

We are looking for:

• 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
• Relationship skills – Strong skills in engaging diverse internal and external stakeholders, and incorporating their perspectives
• 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

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 New Zealand. 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.

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

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.

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

• flexible work hours where possible
• access to a variety of inclusive and proactive networks

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

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