Principal / Senior / Policy Advisor (Energy Markets)

New Zealand Ministry Of Economic Development; Wellington; On-site; NZD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency is seeking motivated individuals for Principal, Senior, and Policy Advisor roles within the Energy Markets. Candidates will conduct complex policy analyses and provide high-quality advice to ensure New Zealand's energy is secure and sustainable. Strong analytical skills, a relevant tertiary qualification, and excellent communication skills are essential. Applications close on 5th October 2025.

Qualifications

• Motivated individuals comfortable with ambiguity.
• Knowledge of energy sector or policy frameworks is desirable.
• Understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex policy analysis and provide high-quality policy advice.
• Work across various projects and teams in the Energy Markets branch.
• Engage effectively with Ministers and public service officials.

Skills

Analytical skills

Critical thinking

Excellent written and oral communication

Collaborative approach

Education

Tertiary qualification

Job description

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Principal / Senior / Policy Advisor (Energy Markets)

Date: 18 Sept 2025

Location: Wellington, NZ, 6011

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

• Join the dynamic and collaborative Energy Markets branch
• Contribute to the significant and exciting programme of work to ensure New Zealanders have secure, sustainable, and affordable energy
• Electricity Markets Policy – Principal Policy Advisor
• Energy Use Policy– Senior Policy Advisor
• Electricity Markets Policy - Policy Advisor
• Gas & Fuels Policy - Policy Advisor
• One 18-month FT role or secondment to the Electricity Markets team: Policy Advisor.
• Roles are all based in Wellington Central

The Energy Markets Branch has a high priority work programme to ensure New Zealanders have secure, sustainable, and affordable energy.

You will be responsible for or involved in complex policy analysis and providing authoritative policy advice, and for more senior roles you will also be leading policy teams, and coaching and mentoring others. For some roles energy sector experience, economics, and/or some experience with numbers would be useful (not essential).

MBIE and the Energy Markets Branch operate in a flexible way to deliver on Government priorities. This means you will be expected to be able to work across a range of projects and teams. We are recruiting across three teams:

• Electricity Markets Policy is responsible for policy and regulation relating to generation, the wholesale and retail market arrangements for the electricity system in NZ, and advice on industrial and retail electricity prices. The team oversees the work of, and legislation that provides for, the Electricity Authority and the electricity industry. The team works alongside the Electricity Authority (mainly Wholesale and Monitoring) and Commerce Commission, and engages regularly with stakeholders.
• Energy Use Policy is responsible for policy and regulation relating to the use of and demand for energy, including industrials, households and communities. The team oversee and guide policy for Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) and is responsible for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act 2000. The team works alongside agencies such as EECA, Ministry for the Environment, the Electricity Authority (mainly Consumer) and the Commerce Commission.
• Gas & Fuel Policy is responsible for the regulatory frameworks and markets that support the supply and distribution of gas and liquid fuels in NZ. This includes security of supply and ensuring market stability in the gas system, and ensuring fuel security into the future. The team works alongside agencies such as the Gas Industry Company and the Commerce Commission who are also regulators of part of the gas and fuel markets.

About the Branch:

We are responsible for the energy markets regulatory system. The energy system plays a significant role in creating a productive and sustainable economy. We make sure New Zealanders have secure, sustainable, and affordable energy to drive our economy and way of life.

Our branch is a collaborative, fast-paced, supportive and fun environment, with learning opportunities, policy forums and cross-team working and usually lots of opportunities for engaging with stakeholders.

Our people are talented and unique. We work towards creating a workplace environment where you belong and that enables and allows you to do what you do best. We support diversity so that together we can do work that positively impacts the lives of all New Zealanders.

Salary ranges (lower bound to mid-point):

Appointments are usually made up to the mid-point, depending on experience.

Ngā pukenga me ngā wheako e hiahiatia ana - Skills and Experience Required

We are looking for motivated people with strong analytical and critical thinking skills, experience with primary or secondary legislation, who are comfortable with ambiguity, and able to deliver results.

For the currently open roles you will have the following skills and experience:

• A good tertiary qualification
• Knowledge of policy frameworks/principles/tools/approaches and experience in applying these to the analysis of policy issues and formulating high-quality policy advice
• Experience and knowledge of the energy sector is desirable, but not a requirement. Applicants with experience in the energy sector, sector regulation, or in engineering, economics or quantitative analysis should highlight this in their application
• Ability to build requisite knowledge for different policy issues quickly drawing on information and evidence from multiple and diverse sources
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with an eye for detail
• A collaborative approach to working with others and experience in working effectively with Ministers, public service officials, internal and external stakeholders
• Understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles and application of these in public policy and in partnership with Māori.

MBIE's goal is to create a resilient and high-performing economy that delivers real and ongoing quality of life for all New Zealanders.

We do this by working with others to create an environment that supports businesses to be more productive and internationally competitive, enables all New Zealanders to participate in the economy through improved job opportunities and by working to ensure quality housing is more affordable.

People are at the heart of our mahi, our way of working is guided by our values which shape our behaviours.

• Māia– Bold and brave
• Pae Kahurangi – Build our Future

Our aspirations are echoed in our Māori identity – Hīkina Whakatutuki – which broadly means ‘lifting to make successful'.

MBIE recognises the partnership founded under Te Tiriti o Waitangi between Māori and the Crown and is committed to giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We will do this through enduring, meaningful and effective partnerships with iwi, Māori, other Māori groups/organisations and the Crown, as this is critical to enable economic and social development, both for Māori and wider Aotearoa New Zealand. We are committed to continuing to partner with iwi in order to find new sustainable solutions to address long standing systemic and cross-cutting issues facing Māori and wider Aotearoa New Zealand and we are also committed to identifying opportunities for iwi to lead and creating an enabling environment for iwi to leverage these opportunities.

Me pēhea te tono - How to Apply:

Click on the links below to view the respective position descriptions for each role:

When you are ready to apply please send a CV and cover letter telling us why you're the perfect fit for this role. All applications must be submitted via our online process. As we are advertising multiple positions, please indicate which role/roles you are keen to apply in your cover letter.

Applications close on Sunday, 5th October 2025 at 11:59pm.