Principal Policy Advisor | Kaitātari Kaupapa Here Matua

Department of Conservation - Te Papa Atawhai; Wellington; Sur place; NZD 114 000 - 159 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Department of Conservation, Te Papa Atawhai, Wellington, seeks a Principal Policy Advisor to lead a large policy programme across conservation and hunting and fishing priorities. You will provide thought leadership, hit the ground running, and collaborate with policy teams and other directorates.

The role focuses on analyzing policy issues, developing concise Minister-ready briefings, guiding policy projects, coaching teams, and helping set direction for emerging priorities as we prepare for

Qualifications

• In-depth knowledge of policy issues, analysis and recommendations.
• Strategic thinker who can see the big picture in a complex setting.
• Able to scope problems, ask insightful questions and deliver policy options.
• Experience leading complex and sensitive policy programmes and projects with deep policy craft.
• Ability to provide authoritative and frank policy advice addressing ministerial choices and constraints.
• Experience in cross-policy-unit leadership and cross-government policy projects.

Responsabilités

• Analysing and distilling early policy thinking across conservation, hunting and fishing priorities.
• Developing sharp initial advice or information briefings for Ministers and senior leaders.
• Providing leadership, direction setting and peer-review for policy projects.
• Coaching policy teams to initiate and take ownership of new policy initiatives.
• Supporting planning and prioritisation of work across the directorate.

Connaissances

Policy expertise

Policy analysis

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Coaching juniors

Project management

Cross-government collaboration

Description du poste

Provide thought leadership and help lead a large and complex policy work programme for conservation $113,936.00 - $159,000.00 Fixed Term/Secondment: 6 months, Wellington location

Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa Mō te tūranga

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 priorities
• Developing sharp, well targeted initial advice or information briefings for Ministers and/or the senior leadership team
• Providing leadership, direction setting and a peer review function for identified policy or legislative work projects
• Coaching and advising policy teams to support the commissioning and initiation of new policy projects, as needed
• Supporting the policy leadership team in planning and prioritising work across the directorate.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā 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 advantage
• Understanding 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 term
• Experience in providing authoritative and frank policy advice that recognises the choices and constraints Ministers face and anticipates needs
• Experience 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 projects
• Proven 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 projects
• Expertise in the use of policy project management processes, with skill and experience to manage competing policy pressures and conflicts

He aha ngā pāinga mōu? | 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.

Rā whakakapi

Applications close at 11:59 pm on Monday 9 November 2026.

For further enquiries, please contact Nicola Mollloy, [e-mail]

Please note, we’re unable to accept applications via email or provide feedback to applicants not shortlisted.

The Department of Conservation, Te Papa Atawhai (DOC) serves to protect and restore nature across Aotearoa. When nature thrives, we all thrive. Ko tā Te Papa Atawhai he tiaki, he whakarauora anō hoki i te taiao puta noa i Aotearoa. He oranga taiao, he oranga tangata. Our people bring this vision to life. Spread across Aotearoa, they care for our land, water, and native species. From frontline rangers and technical experts to vital support teams - we have a diverse range of roles. Read more about DOC

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

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.