Senior Advisor Operational Policy | Wellington

New Zealand Government Joba; Wellington; On-site; NZD 104,000 - 126,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) in Wellington is seeking a Senior Advisor Operational Policy to translate strategic policy into practical, compliant operational policy. You will provide senior-level advice, assess change impacts, and influence cross‑departmental implementation to improve outcomes for disabled people and whanau.

You will work at the intersection of policy, design and delivery in a complex public sector environment, building trusted relationships and guiding teams across

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in policy advice or analysis (senior level experience preferred).
• Knowledge of operational, delivery or policy processes in a public sector or other service delivery environment.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to develop high quality operational policy and written advice for senior leaders.
• Proven ability to influence, and exercise sound judgement and political sensitivity.
• Ability to build trusted relationships across DSS and wider stakeholders.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure, with strong problem solving, planning and organisational skills, and the ability to prioritise and meet tight deadlines.
• Experience providing coaching and mentoring.
• Understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its application in policy and operational contexts.

Responsibilities

• Translate strategic policy into clear, workable operational policy through analysis, option development and recommendations.
• Provide expert advice to ensure operational policy complies with legislative/regulatory requirements, and government decisions.
• Support the design and use of systems, tools and methodologies that enable policy to be implemented effectively in practice.
• Assess the operational impacts of change initiatives and advise teams across DSS and MSD.
• Represent Operational Policy in change projects, working groups and cross-functional forums.
• Build strong relationships across DSS to support joined-up implementation.
• Build wider team capability through guidance and support.

Skills

Policy advice

Policy analysis

Public sector knowledge

Communication skills

Influence

Relationship building

Coaching and mentoring

Te Tiriti o Waitangi understanding

Job description

Play a key role in turning policy into real-world operational practice across Disability Support ServicesProvide trusted, senior-level advice that supports better outcomes for disabled people and their whanauPermanent full-time opportunity based in our Wellington officeWork at the intersection of policy, design and delivery in a complex public sector environment.About our team | Mo te timaThe Disability Support Services (DSS) Group is responsible for commissioning, funding, and stewarding high-quality services that support disabled people, their families, and whanau.We're building leadership and management capacity across our teams to deliver both change and business-as-usual effectively.We work closely with providers, stakeholders, and communities to ensure services are fair, consistent, transparent and sustainable. With a strong focus on performance monitoring, data, and insights, we're committed to continuous improvement and evidence-based decision-making.It's an exciting time to join DSS as we strengthen our systems and expand our capabilities.We're looking for passionate people to help us achieve our goals and make a meaningful impact.About the role | Mo te tungaThe role sits in the Design, Delivery and Data team based in our National Office in Wellington. You'll work across DSS and MSD to support the development, implementation and improvement of operational policy.You'll provide high-quality advice, including on complex pieces of work, identify operational impacts of change, and contribute to policy and service design that delivers better outcomes for disabled people and tangata whaikaha Maori.This is a hands-on advisory role where your expertise will shape how policy intent is translated into operational reality.Key responsibilities include:Translating strategic policy into clear, workable operational policy through analysis, option development and recommendations.Providing expert advice to ensure operational policy complies with legislative/regulatory requirements, and government decisions.Supporting the design and use of systems, tools and methodologies that enable policy to be implemented effectively in practice.Assessing the operational impacts of change initiatives and advising teams across DSS and MSD.Representing Operational Policy in change projects, working groups and cross-functional forums.Building strong relationships across DSS to support joined-up implementation.Building wider team capability through guidance and support.We value diversity and welcome applications from disabled people and those who have lived experience with whanau, or the disability community.Please contact us if there is any support that we can provide to ensure the recruitment process is accessible to you.What you bring | Ou pumanawatangaDemonstrated experience in policy advice or analysis (senior level experience preferred).Knowledge of operational, delivery or policy processes in a public sector or other service delivery environment.Strong communication skills, including the ability to develop high quality operational policy and written advice for senior leaders.Proven ability to influence, and exercise sound judgement and political sensitivity.Ability to build trusted relationships across DSS and wider stakeholders.Ability to remain calm under pressure, with strong problem solving, planning and organisational skills, and the ability to prioritise and meet tight deadlines.Experience providing coaching and mentoring.Understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its application in policy and operational contexts.Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga TungaA copy of the position description can be found here. Senior Advisor Operational Policy position description.Salary | Utu-a-tau: $103,815.00 - $125,958.00Applications close | Ka kati nga tono hei te: Tuesday 13 October 2026.About us | Mo matouThe Ministry of Social Development (MSD) is a people-centred organisation. We're in communities across the motu, working with partners to help New Zealanders be safe, strong and independent.We provide social policy advice to government, and assistance including income, employment and housing support to people of all ages, families, whanau and communities.As a Te Tiriti o Waitangi partner, we are committed to supporting and enabling Maori, whanau, hapu, Iwi and communities to realise their own potential and aspirations.Our people are as diverse as the communities we serve. We care about the wellbeing and success of our people and provide a supportive and inclusive working environment where people can thrive and be who they are.How to apply | Me pehea te tuku tonoBefore you submit your application, please take a moment to review our guidance to understand how AI can best support your application. Candidate Guidance - Responsible AI use in recruitmentTo apply, click the 'Apply Now' button to upload your CV, cover letter and complete the online application form.Note: Your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process. Please highlight how your skills and experience relate to the key responsibilities listed in the position description and job advertisement.All applications must be made online. If this is not possible or if you have any queries, please contact us at [e-mail] MSD Employees - please apply through your myHR portal at work. This will ensure that your myHR employee profile is visible as internal candidate.Joining us | Ko te hono maiJoining MSD means being part of a whanau that celebrates the diversity each individual represents.We show manaaki, we care about the wellbeing and success of people and want everyone to thrive and be who they are in a supportive and inclusive working environment. We work together to make a difference for communities while doing the right thing with integrity. You can find out more about our values here.If you have any support or accessibility requirements, we encourage you to tell us when you apply so we can assist you through the recruitment process.