Principal Policy Advisor | Kaitātari Kaupapa Here Matua

Department of Conservation; Wellington; In loco; NZD 114.000 - 159.000; Tempo pieno

Descrizione del lavoro

Department of Conservation in Wellington is seeking a Principal Policy Advisor to lead a large, high‑impact policy work programme across conservation, hunting and fishing priorities. You will provide strategic analysis and high‑level advice to Ministers and the senior leadership team.

You will set direction, coach policy teams, manage cross‑government projects and coordinate the delivery of early policy thinking, briefings, and policy recommendations during the coming government cycle.

Competenze

• Proven experience leading complex, high-stakes policy programmes.
• Ability to provide clear, authoritative policy advice to Ministers.
• Strong strategic thinking and cross-government collaboration.
• Experience coaching junior staff and managing policy projects.
• Understanding of legislative change processes is an asset.

Mansioni

• Lead and shape a large policy work programme for conservation and hunting/fishing.
• Deliver early policy analyses and prepare briefing materials for Ministers.
• Coach policy teams and manage cross-government collaborations.
• Set direction and priorities across the directorate.
• Support the policy leadership team in planning and prioritising work across the directorate.

Conoscenze

Policy leadership

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder engagement

Policy analysis

Coaching junior staff

Descrizione del lavoro

About the role

Provide thought leadership and help lead a large and complex policy work programme for conservation$113,936.00 - $159,000.00 pro-rataFixed Term/Secondment: 6 months, Wellington locationOur vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa Młā Młā | About the role A unique job at a critical time - this is about adding value across a busy and priority-setting period for DOC's Policy Directorate. We are looking for a Principal Policy Advisor to provide thought leadership within a large and complex policy work programme, working closely with relevant managers. Reporting to the Hunting and Fishing Policy Manager, you will support this portfolio and flex to provide support to other identified issues across the range of policy work being undertaken across the Directorate. You will be able to hit the ground running and pivot as needed to help lead early analysis or set in motion ongoing work to support the emerging policy priorities for an incoming government. You will help the policy leadership team set direction, working in collaboration with policy teams and other relevant teams in DOC. The position will be focussed on: Analysing and distilling early policy thinking on key matters across a range of conservation, and hunting and fishing prioritiesDeveloping sharp, well targeted initial advice or information briefings for Ministers and/or the senior leadership teamProviding leadership, direction setting and a peer review function for identified policy or legislative work projectsCoaching and advising policy teams to support the commissioning and initiation of new policy projects, as neededSupporting the policy leadership team in planning and prioritising work across the directorate.

Ngā pšā me Ņšā wheako | Skills and experience

Our ideal candidate will have an in depth of knowledge and proven experience understanding policy issues, analysis and providing recommendations. You are a strategic thinker who can see the big picture and thrive working in a complex setting on wide-ranging issues to come up with sound policy recommendations. You will be adept at asking insightful questions to help teams carefully scope and fully probe policy problems, considering a range of options to deliver meaningful outcomes. You will also bring your effective long-term policy project planning skills as well as your capacity to be agile and responsive to immediate changing priorities. If you have the following, we are keen to hear from you: Proven experience in leading complex and sensitive policy programmes and projects, requiring deep policy craft and/or technical expertise. Experience in managing legislative change will be a clear advantageUnderstanding of the strategic context, current policy agenda and priorities; views policy issues in the wider context and applies foresight and judgement to identify what is important for the policy area in the medium and long termExperience in providing authoritative and frank policy advice that recognises the choices and constraints Ministers face and anticipates needsExperience in a leadership role in a cross-Policy Unit and cross-government policy projects, setting a clear sense of direction and priorities to deliver across a number of policy projectsProven ability to build key collaborative relationships quickly across a range of individuals and teams - policy and operational - to support analysis with expertise, and 'bringing people with you'Experience in coaching junior staff to grow their policy skills and support them initiating and taking ownership of policy projectsExpertise in the use of policy project management processes, with skill and experience to manage competing policy pressures and conflicts

He aha ā Ņā pšānginga Młām uā? | What's in it for you?

DOC is committed to a culture where everyone can participate, thrive, and grow. We're driven by our values and behaviours, and are working towards being an organisation that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive by default. We also support flexible working arrangements for our kaimahi across Aotearoa, with options considered based on the role and in discussion with your leader.

Salary: $113,936.00 - $159,000.00, depending on skills and experience.

Eligibility

Eligibility: You must hold a valid NZ work visa that covers the duration of employment. (SECONDMENT ONLY)'You are encouraged to discuss secondment opportunities with your line manager. Secondments should support the development of skills and experience aligned with your development plan. You must seek support from your line manager before applying for a secondment. Approval from your one-up manager is also required before you can be released for a secondment opportunity.'

Rā whakakapi | Applications close at 11:59 pm on Monday 9 November 2026. This advert may close early, so please apply promptly.

Me he pātā anŃ, whakapā mai | For further enquiries, please contact Nicola Mollloy, [e-mail]