Principal Policy Advisor

JacksonStone; Wellington; On-site; NZD 110,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hourly rate contract

Wellington CBD office

Strategic policy work

Job summary

Jora New Zealand seeks an experienced public policy practitioner to operate at a strategic level, leading complex work and advising the CE, Board, the Minister and senior leadership.

Based in a Wellington CBD office, this hourly-rate contract runs until mid to late February 2027. You will develop policy frameworks, provide thought leadership, and coach junior policy practitioners while engaging with Ministers on high‑level issues.

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, Ministers and senior leaders.
• Excellent communication and relationship management skills.
• Identify, analyse and advise on policy gaps, risks and opportunities.
• Coaching and quality assurance for junior policy practitioners.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic policy and thought leadership.
• Develop policy advice for complex issues with long horizons.
• Act as a trusted advisor to the Chief Executive and senior leaders.
• Shape and implement policy frameworks, governance arrangements and decision-making approaches.
• Lead cross-organisational policy initiatives and work programmes; oversee ministerial briefs, Cabinet material and Board papers.

Skills

Policy advisory

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Executive briefing

Policy analysis

Coaching juniors

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

• 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