Senior Analyst (Analyst) | Forecasting and Costing | Wellington

Ministry of Social Development; Wellington; On-site; NZD 109,000 - 132,000; Full time

Job summary

MSD in Wellington is seeking a Senior Analyst to lead forecasting and costing work, informing government decisions. You will design, maintain and improve models that estimate benefit numbers and expenditures, applying robust data methods.

Using SQL, R, Python and Excel, you will handle large datasets in Snowflake, provide analyses to Budget processes, mentor analysts, and present findings clearly to senior leaders in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Strong background in forecasting and costing for policy settings.
• Advanced SQL, R, Python and Excel for data manipulation and modelling.
• Experience with Snowflake or similar cloud data platforms.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to translate technical concepts.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, maintenance, and enhancement of forecasting and costing models used to understand the impacts of policy decisions on benefit numbers and expenditure.
• Apply advanced analytical techniques using R, Python and SQL to deliver robust, evidence-based insights and advice.
• Work with large and complex datasets using Snowflake and other cloud-based platforms.
• Provide expert analytical advice to support key government initiatives, Budget processes, and policy development.
• Identify opportunities for innovation and continuous improvement in modelling approaches, analytical methods, and business processes.
• Communicate complex technical findings clearly and confidently to both technical and non-technical audiences, including senior leaders and stakeholders.
• Mentor and support analysts within the team, sharing knowledge and contributing to capability development.
• Play a key role in delivering high-quality forecasting and costing outputs in a fast-paced and evolving environment.

Skills

Forecasting

Data analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership

Mentoring

Quantitative reasoning

Education

Quantitative degree (Economics/Statistics/Data Science/Math)

Tools

Snowflake

SQL

R

Python

Excel

Job description

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Senior Analyst (Analyst) | Forecasting and Costing | Wellington

Join our dynamic Forecasting and Costing team at the Ministry of Social Development as a Senior Analyst! We are responsible for providing expert analysis on the demand for and cost of the benefit system, helping to inform government decision makers on key policy decisions.

About the role | Mō te tūnga

• Lead the development, maintenance, and enhancement of forecasting and costing models used to understand the impacts of policy decisions on benefit numbers and expenditure.
• Apply advanced analytical techniques using R, Python and SQL to deliver robust, evidence-based insights and advice.
• Work with large and complex datasets using Snowflake and other cloud-based platforms.
• Provide expert analytical advice to support key government initiatives, Budget processes, and policy development.
• Identify opportunities for innovation and continuous improvement in modelling approaches, analytical methods, and business processes.
• Communicate complex technical findings clearly and confidently to both technical and non-technical audiences, including senior leaders and stakeholders.
• Mentor and support analysts within the team, sharing knowledge and contributing to capability development.
• Play a key role in delivering high-quality forecasting and costing outputs in a fast-paced and evolving environment.
• A strong academic or professional background in Economics, Statistics, Data Science, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
• Demonstrated experience in forecasting, modelling, quantitative analysis, or a related analytical role.
• Advanced proficiency in SQL, R, Python and Excel for data manipulation, modelling, analysis, and visualisation.
• Experience working with Snowflake or similar cloud-based data platforms.
• Proven ability to independently lead complex analytical work from inception through to delivery.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to apply sound judgement in ambiguous or complex situations.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to translate technical concepts into clear and compelling insights.
• A collaborative approach and a commitment to supporting the development of others.

Don’t be shy if you are an Analyst ready to move into a Senior Analyst role – you will be considered.

Senior Analyst Forecasting & Costing: $108,528 - $131,721

Analyst Forecasting & Costing: $90,743 - $109,980

The 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, whānau and communities.

As a Te Tiriti o Waitangi partner, we are committed to supporting and enabling Māori, whānau, hapū, 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.

Joining MSD means being part of a whānau 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.