Principal Policy Analyst

New Zealand Government Joba; Wellington; On-site; NZD 141,000 - 171,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

KiwiSaver

Job summary

Ministry of Education NZ is seeking a Principal Policy Analyst to shape policy settings across curriculum, qualifications, vocational education, and digital learning. You will influence senior stakeholders and design evidence-based policy initiatives within a high-performing team.

The role involves complex policy development, governance engagement, and delivering outcomes for learners across New Zealand. Fixed-term 12 months, Wellington-based with KiwiSaver benefits.

Qualifications

• Proven skills in policy and government processes in a fast-paced policy/Budget environment.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to lead evidence-based, complex policy projects and work programmes.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality policy advice on curriculum, qualifications, vocational education, and digital learning.
• Develop and lead policy projects addressing emerging technologies (including AI) and cybersecurity in education.
• Collaborate across policy, curriculum, and operational teams to deliver practical solutions.

Skills

Policy expertise

Government processes

Oral and written communication

Evidence-based analysis

Leadership / mentoring

Budget experience

Strategic thinking

Te Tiriti o Waitangi knowledge

Job description

Help shape the future of education in New ZealandHelp shape the future of Education We work to shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent outcomes Our organisation is made up of talented and committed people around Aotearoa, from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. While we work in different groups and on different things, we all strive every day to make the biggest difference we can for our students in our education system.

About this role

Fixed term or secondment 12 months opportunity Wellington-based The Curriculum and Digital Policy team is looking for an experienced, capable, and committed Principal Policy Analyst to join us. You would help shape the policy settings that underpin curriculum, qualifications, vocational education, and digital learning across New Zealand schools. Join a high-performing policy team working on some of the most significant reforms and emerging challenges facing the education system.

The Curriculum and Digital Policy Team leads the Ministry's policy advice on the curriculum, qualifications, and digital settings that shape teaching and learning across New Zealand schools. Our work focuses on the national curriculum, assessment and qualifications, vocational education and training pathways, and digital education policy, including distance learning, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence.

In this role, you could be working on advice to:

• shape changes to our senior secondary qualifications, including NZ Scholarship
• strengthen vocational education and training pathways for secondary students, including considering the future of Gateway, STAR, and other secondary-tertiary programmes
• develop policy settings that enable schools to use emerging technologies, including AI
• safely and effectively address digital education issues such as cybersecurity and distance learning

This is complex, high-impact work that influences what students learn, how achievement is recognised, and how schools respond to emerging technologies. You'll work closely with colleagues across policy, curriculum, and operational teams to develop practical solutions that improve outcomes for children and young people across New Zealand.

Salary range: $141,146 - $171,196 per annum plus KiwiSaver. The successful candidate will be appointed at a salary which reflects individual skills and experience. Please note: Applications from affected kaimahi | employees will be given priority consideration. For more details about the role, you can view the Job Description here.

About you

We're keen to hear from you if you:

• have proven skills in and knowledge of policy and government processes and thrive in a fast-paced policy and Budget environment
• have excellent oral and written communication skills
• are a critical thinker and can bring innovative approaches to policy issues
• have proven ability to develop and lead evidence-based complex and sensitive policy projects and work programmes
• can build operational design and implementation considerations into policy
• bring influencing skills and have experience providing high quality advice to senior leadership teams, Ministerial Advisory Groups and/or Ministers
• can work autonomously, demonstrate self-motivation and remain calm, focussed and resilient under pressure
• have excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated a teamwork approach within the Ministry and across key government agencies
• are confident supporting the development of the team through mentoring, quality assurance and coaching (with experience mentoring others through Budget or other signification funding processes and work programmes)
• demonstrate knowledge of, or a willingness to gain an understanding of Te Ao Māori and promote tikanga and Te Reo Māori
• have knowledge of te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi) as it applies in the public sector
• the ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct

In return we can offer you the opportunity to contribute to a high profile, challenging and ambitious agenda for change, a strong focus on the development of our people, and the ability to drive and influence policy direction.

About our group and team

The team sits in the Schools Policy Group, in Te Pou Kaupapahere, the Ministry's policy group. We work at the heart of the schooling system, designing policy to ensure every learner has the opportunity to thrive. Our work spans a broad and diverse portfolio, including quality teaching and leadership, the curriculum and qualifications schools deliver, school resourcing, and the networks and infrastructure that support access to education.

Across this work, we are responsible for a range of strategic, funding, and legislative and regulatory policy levers, providing high-quality advice to Ministers informed by data-driven analysis, evidence, and meaningful engagement with the education sector. The group is known for being highly collaborative, supportive, and intellectually curious. We work closely together to solve complex problems, share ideas openly, and build on each other's thinking. We aim to create a positive team culture where people feel comfortable sharing ideas, learning from each other, and developing their policy skills. Alongside delivering high-quality policy work, we make time to connect as a group, support people's ongoing development, and maintain an inclusive environment.

Te Pou Kaupapahere is responsible for whole-of-system, end-to-end policy integration covering early learning, compulsory schooling, and tertiary including Māori medium, te reo Māori, Pacific and Learning Support. We hold the relationship with all Ministers and provide integrated policy advice to them. We collaborate across government organisations so our advice to Ministers is joined up. We're proud of the culture in our policy teams. We appreciate and support each other and develop strong relationships that underpin our ability to deliver good work.

Are you ready to make a difference?

In your cover letter we'd like to know about you, your values, or anything else you'd like to share. We're keen to understand your motivations, strengths, transferable skills, and the diverse perspectives you will bring to the role.

For further information, please contact Clare Old, Senior Policy Manager at [e-mail].

Applications close Midnight - 11 October 2026.

We want our people to feel valued for their unique qualities and have a sense of belonging. If you require assistance or adjustments to fully participate in the recruitment process, please let us know.