Senior Policy Advisor | Economic Development

New Zealand Government; Wellington; On-site; NZD 110,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

KiwiSaver

Wellness benefits

Job summary

MBIE in Wellington seeks a Senior Policy Advisor to join the Economic Development Policy team, guiding high-priority policy work within Government’s growth agenda. You will lead complex projects, deliver robust analyses and provide authoritative advice to Ministers and senior leaders.

You will coach and mentor colleagues, collaborate across agencies, and shape policy options in a fast-paced environment aligned with government priorities.

Qualifications

• 5+ years' policy experience leading complex policy work
• Ability to think strategically and apply systems thinking
• Advanced critical thinking and judgement; evidence-based solutions
• Experience preparing high-quality advice for senior leaders and Ministers
• Ability to lead policy projects and manage priorities
• Strong stakeholder engagement across agencies and external partners
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Experience coaching and mentoring junior policy advisors
• Relevant tertiary qualification

Responsibilities

• Leading and contributing to complex policy projects and work programmes
• Undertaking strong policy analysis and developing practical, evidence-based policy options
• Providing clear, influential advice for senior leaders and Ministers
• Leading engagement with stakeholders, delivery agencies and government agencies
• Applying strategic and systems thinking to policy challenges
• Supporting the capability of the team through coaching and mentoring
• Taking a leadership role in cross-MBIE and cross-government policy initiatives
• Building strong working relationships and influencing outcomes through communication and collaboration

Skills

Policy analysis

Strategic thinking

Critical thinking

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Mentoring

Coaching

Policy advisory

Education

Tertiary qualification

Job description

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

• A unique opportunity to work at the centre of Government on high priority economic growth initiatives.
• Shape and deliver policy advice that supports New Zealand's economic growth agenda.
• Gain exposure to senior decision makers while contributing to work that matters for New Zealand's economic future.
• Permanent, full-time | Wellington-based.
• Salary: $110,098 - $138,028 plus KiwiSaver and wellness benefits

About the Role - Tēnei tūranga:

We're seeking an experienced Senior Policy Advisor to join the Economic Development Policy team, supporting the Government's Economic Growth agenda. This role plays an important part in leading and contributing to high-profile initiatives, including Going for Growth and the wider economic development policy programme. This opportunity is ideal for an experienced policy professional looking to broaden their experience, gain exposure to senior decision makers, and contribute to nationally significant priorities in a fast-paced and varied environment. As a Senior Policy Advisor, you will lead and contribute to priority policy work, undertake robust policy analysis, develop practical, evidence-based and durable policy options, and provide authoritative advice on issues that are often complex, sensitive, and strategically important. You will also support the development of team capability through coaching, mentoring and peer review. This role requires a capable policy practitioner who brings sound judgement, initiative and strategic thinking, and who is comfortable working across a broad economic development policy programme while aligning advice with Government priorities.

You will be responsible for:

• Leading and contributing to complex policy projects and work programmes in ambiguous, sensitive or high-priority areas.
• Undertaking strong policy analysis and developing practical, evidence-based and durable policy options.
• Providing clear, influential advice and recommendations for senior leaders and Ministers.
• Leading engagement with stakeholders, delivery agencies and government agencies to ensure policy advice is practical, effective and evidence based.
• Applying strategic and systems thinking to policy challenges and contributing to the development of the team's policy agenda.
• Supporting the capability of the team through coaching, mentoring, peer review and quality assurance.
• Taking a leadership role in cross-MBIE and cross-government policy initiatives and project teams.
• Building strong working relationships and influencing outcomes through effective communication and collaboration.

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

We are looking for someone with around five or more years' policy experience who has:

• Strong policy analysis and advisory skills, with experience leading complex pieces of work and delivering high-quality policy outcomes.
• The ability to think strategically and apply systems thinking to complex policy issues.
• Advanced critical thinking, sound judgement and the ability to develop practical, evidence-based solutions in ambiguous environments.
• Demonstrated experience preparing high-quality advice for senior leaders and Ministers, including familiarity with Cabinet processes and the machinery of government.
• Proven ability to lead policy projects and manage competing priorities effectively.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across agencies and with external partners.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex issues clearly and succinctly.
• Experience coaching, mentoring and supporting the development of less experienced policy advisors.
• A relevant tertiary qualification.

At the time of application, you must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand.

About MBIE - Ētahi kōrero mō MBIE:

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.

Mahi Tahi - Better Together Māia- Bold and brave Pae Kahurangi - Build our Future Pono Me Te Tika - Own It

Our aspirations are echoed in our Māori identity - Hīkina Whakatutuki - which broadly means ‘lifting to make successful'. MBIE recognises the partnership founded under TeTiritio Waitangi between Māori and the Crown and is committed to giving effect to TeTiritio 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 for 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.

E mōhio ana a Hīkina Whakatutuki i puea ake te kōtuinga I waenganui i a ngāi Māori me te Karauna i Te Tiriti o Waitangi, ā, kei te whai ia ki te whakaū ake i Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Mā te whai kiko o ngā kōtuinga ahunga roa o ngā iwi, o ngāi Māori, me ētahi atu rōpū Māori ki te Karauna, ka tutuki tēnei. He āhuatanga nui tēnei e āhei ai ngā mahi whanaketanga ā-ohanga, ā-pāpori hoki ki a ngāi Māori me Aotearoa whānui. E whai tonu ana mātou ki te kōtui atu ki ngā iwi mō te rapu huarahi hou ki te whakaara i ngā kaupapa kua roa nei e tāmi ana i a ngāi Māori me Aotearoa whānui, ā, e whai ana hoki ki te tautohu i ngā āheinga kōkiritanga mā ngā iwi, me te tautoko i ngā iwi kia whai mana ake ai ēnei āheinga.

Applications close 11.59pm Sunday 13 September 2026.