Senior Impactful Operational Policy Advisor

Ministry of Social Development; Wellington; On-site; NZD 104,000 - 126,000; Full time

Job summary

The Senior Advisor Operational Policy role in Wellington sits within the Design, Delivery and Data team at the Ministry of Social Development. You’ll translate policy into practical operational policy and provide senior-level advice across DSS and MSD to improve outcomes for disabled people and tāngata whāikaha Māori.

This hands-on advisory position requires strong analytical capability, excellent communication, and the ability to influence across cross-functional teams while maintaining

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

• 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.

Skills

Policy analysis

Senior stakeholder engagement

Public sector knowledge

Job description

The Senior Advisor Operational Policy role in Wellington sits within the Design, Delivery and Data team at the Ministry of Social Development. You’ll translate policy into practical operational policy and provide senior-level advice across DSS and MSD to improve outcomes for disabled people and tāngata whāikaha Māori.

This hands-on advisory position requires strong analytical capability, excellent communication, and the ability to influence across cross-functional teams while maintaining