Senior Policy Advisor - Protective Security Requirements (PSR)

New Zealand Government; Wellington; On-site; NZD 103,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) in Wellington is seeking a Senior Policy Advisor to evolve the Protective Security Requirements (PSR) and make policy agile for public sector agencies. You will lead policy development, own the annual assurance reporting with Power BI to identify risks, and help mentor staff while shaping cross‑agency governance.

Collaboration with the National Cyber Security Centre and international partners will be key to keeping NZ aligned with global

Qualifications

• Policy professionals who thrive in ambiguity with sharp writing and data‑savvy skills.
• Ability to break down complex problems and communicate succinctly.
• Experience influencing across agencies and teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead PSR policy development and implementation across public sector agencies.
• Own the annual assurance reporting process, using Power BI to extract trends and risks.
• Support management of the overall work programme and mentor junior staff.
• Collaborate with the National Cyber Security Centre and international partners.

Skills

Policy development

Data analytics

Governance & reporting

Stakeholder engagement

Tools

Power BI

Job description

At the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) | Te Pā Whakamarumaru, we are dedicated to our mission of keeping Aotearoa New Zealand and our people safe and secure. We collect, analyse and assess intelligence to protect New Zealand from threats such as foreign interference, espionage and terrorism. Help us to protect the information and assets that protect New Zealand. The Protective Security Requirements (PSR) are the gold standard for safeguarding the New Zealand government’s most valuable and sensitive information and assets. We’re looking for a Senior Policy Advisor – in fact, possibly two of them – to help us evolve the PSR in the face of rapidly evolving threats including espionage and foreign interference. We need a sharp analytical mind to help keep the PSR clear and fit for purpose, to bridge the gap between complex intelligence data and policy options, and to turn structured reporting into sound strategic insights.

The challenge

• Drive policy excellence: Lead the development and implementation of PSR policy, ensuring it remains agile and intuitive for agencies across the public sector.
• Master the data: Own the annual assurance reporting process, using tools like Power BI to extract trends and communicate system-level risks to senior leaders.
• Support us to govern, mentor, and lead: Support management of our overall work programme, including in the Pacific, help grow junior staff, and provide high-level governance support.
• Build alliances: Collaborate with the National Cyber Security Centre, international partners, and central agencies to keep New Zealand aligned with global security standards.

Who you are

You are a policy professional who thrives in ambiguity and has an eye for fine detail. You have a natural ability to break down and communicate complex problems, a crisp writing style, comfort working with data, and the people skills to influence effectively both up and across. You are well‑organised and able to support managers to ensure work is delivered to time and to quality. Whether you come from a security background or from somewhere else, you’re driven by a team‑first mentality and motivated by our mission of keeping NewZealand and NewZealanders safe.

The expected appointing range for this role is $103,009 - $109,876.

Before you apply

Working within our unique environment means we have to ensure you're eligible for employment.

• You must: Have been a New Zealand Citizen for at least 10 years
• Hold a current NZ Residency Class Visa and ideally have been a citizen of the UK, USA, Canada or Australia for at least 10 years
• Be eligible to obtain a Top Secret Special (TSS) security clearance, Ordinarily, this means you'll have a 15 year checkable background in countries NZSIS Vetting can make meaningful and reliable checks.

Still unsure? Use this online tool to self-check your eligibility for a TSS security clearance: http://www.protectivesecurity.govt.nz/eligibility-tool The NZIC treats all applications for employment in the strictest confidence and we expect that you maintain a similar level of confidentiality during the recruitment process and throughout your career. We'll provide you with information and tips throughout the recruitment process, but in the meantime check out some of our Security FAQs here The security clearance process | Beyond Ordinary Careers You can also learn more about our work and understand our areas of focus by reading NewZealand's Security Threat Environment | NewZealand Security Intelligence Service