Principal Policy Advisor

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children; Wellington; On-site; NZD 140,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children seeks an experienced policy professional based in Wellington to lead the development of complex policy advice within our national office.

The role involves working across legislative and regulatory policy, collaborating with frontline staff, data and insights teams, and key partners to shape evidence-based, impactful policy that improves outcomes for Tamariki and rangatahi.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading the development of complex policy advice, especially in legislative or regulatory contexts.
• Deep knowledge of legislative and machinery of government processes.
• Exceptional analytical, critical policy thinking and communication skills to produce high-quality policy work quickly.
• Ability to build genuine relationships with influence across settings to advance policy agendas.
• Experience leading and coaching others, with a collaborative, compassionate approach.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of complex policy advice with a legislative or regulatory focus.
• Collaborate with frontline teams, data and insights units and partners to shape evidence-based policy.
• Build and maintain influential relationships across government and partners.
• Coach and lead teams to deliver policy work with impact and timeliness.

Skills

Policy leadership

Legislative/regulatory knowledge

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder relationships

Coaching and mentoring

Māori/Pacific/Taonga understanding

Education

Tertiary qualification in a relevant discipline

Job description

About the role

Policy work at Oranga Tamariki is wide and varied, giving you ample opportunity to develop your career pathway and demonstrate your policy craft. We are the only policy group within a large operational organisation, which gives you greater exposure to a wide range of work that has a major impact on the frontline. Our policy group spans operational, system enabling policy, legislative and regulatory policy, and strategic, cross-government policy programmes.

We have an ambitious legislative and policy work programme across the youth justice and care and protection system. Collaboration is central to who we are. We listen to children, young people, families, and whānau, and work with key partners, including Māori, Pacific and disability communities, to shape evidence‑based, impactful policy. We work closely with our data and insights teams and those working on the frontline, so your advice is steeped in realism. Great teamwork is how we operate.

About us

Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children has a commitment to putting tamariki and rangatahi at the heart of what we do. In our work, we aim to demonstrate these values:

• We put Tamariki first
• We believe Aroha is vital
• We respect the Mana of people
• We are Tika and Pono
• We value Whakapapa
• We recognise that Oranga is a journey
• We are committed to ensuring that New Zealand is the best place in the world to be a child
• We are also committed to ensuring Oranga Tamariki partners with hapū, iwi and Māori organisations to find appropriate solutions for tamariki in need.

What you will bring

• Extensive experience leading the development of complex policy advice, particularly in a legislative or regulatory context
• A deep knowledge of legislative and machinery of government processes is essential
• Expert analytical, critical policy thinking and communication skills and ability to produce quality policy work quickly
• Build genuine and enduring relationships with influence in multiple settings to advance the policy agenda
• Lead and coach others, while being a compassionate and collaborative team member
• Understanding the circumstances and issues facing Māori, Pacific peoples, disabled and other key populations we work with
• Be enthusiastic with a can‑do attitude
• Tertiary qualification in a relevant discipline
• Wellington‑based at the National Office

What’s in it for you

Oranga Tamariki offers competitive salaries and progression annually for experience through tenure. The midpoint of this salary band is $162,887. We work flexibly and have genuine support for wellbeing. We offer significant training and professional development so you can thrive and grow. We welcome diversity and work respectfully. This is your opportunity to apply your skills to the wellbeing of tamariki and rangatahi.

To see all the benefits of working for Oranga Tamariki, please visit https://mahi.orangatamariki.govt.nz/working-with-us/employee-benefits/.