Senior Policy Analyst

Department of Internal Affairs (NZ); Lower Hutt; On-site; NZD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency in New Zealand is seeking a Senior Policy Analyst to lead policy initiatives and improvements in local government systems. The role involves engaging with various agencies and identifying key initiatives for economic growth and infrastructure development. Candidates should have strong communication skills, regulatory design experience, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Exceptional communication skills and ability to manage relationships in high stakes environments.
• Experience in regulatory design and understanding of local government funding systems.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design of an independent regulator for development levies.
• Engage with multiple agencies and Ministers on complex policy issues.
• Develop and implement programs to improve local government processes.

Skills

Policy development

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Regulatory design experience

Job description

Senior Policy Analyst

• Are you a strong policy professional who enjoys working at pace while wrangling government processes across multiple Ministers and Agencies?
• Are you looking for the opportunity to work as part of a dynamic group grappling with complex policy issues?
• Are you a superb communicator and manager of relationships who can represent the Department in high stakes environments?
• Do you want to play a part in improving how councils approach economic growth and infrastructure development?

If you can answer yes to these questions, then come and join our team working across the local government system on natural and built environmentsor city and regional deals.

The Local Government Policy, Partnerships and Operations Group is looking for two senior policy analysts on a fixed term, one to join our Natural and Built Environments team and the other for the City and Regional Deals team (fixed term until 30 June 2026).

It’s a great time to be working on local government policy.There is a lot of change underway, and we have an ambitious and interesting work programme with never a dull moment.We blend local government expertise, specialised policy advice and operational delivery and oversight to bring about a strong local government system.

Mō te tīma | About our Teams

TheNatural and Built Environmentsteam is one of five teams in our Local Government Policy, Partnerships and Operations Group.The Team leads on several policy areas associated with the Going for Housing Growth programme including resource management reform and does a large amount of inter-agency work, especially with Housing and Urban Development and the Ministry for the Environment.The work also has close links into the Water Services Reform programme, also led out of our Branch.

The largest project the team is leading is developing new funding settings for local government as part of the Going for Housing Growth programme and the design and introduction of a new Development Levies regime. This role will specifically lead the design of an independent regulator for development levies and will involve close working relationships with Housing and Urban Development, the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment, and the Commerce Commission.

TheCity and Regional Dealsteam is responsible for delivering the Government's City and Regional Deals programme. These deals are based on 30-year visions for the regions, with a 10-year strategic plan that will deliver shared objectives and outcomes between local and central government. Deals will help identify key initiatives and priorities that areneeded to build economic growth, deliver connected and resilient infrastructure and improve the supply of affordable quality housing.

City and Regional Deals are also a platform for improving how central and local government work together to address the most pressing issues facing New Zealanders, including economic growth, housing growth and infrastructure development. With a combination of policy and inter-agency work, direct engagement with councils, and system and strategic issues to consider, the programme provides a wealth of opportunities for personal and professional development.

Mōu | About you

To succeed in this role, you will need to be comfortable operating in a high pace environment amidst change and ambiguity, working across multiple agencies and multiple Ministers.

We place our people first so you will have strong people skills and play your role in empowering and developing people to build a great team.

You will have a growth mindset, be prepared to take risks, ask questions and work collaboratively with others to get things right. You’ll also be a great writer, be able to navigate government processes and enjoy translating complex issues into practical advice.

Ideally you will have regulatory design experience and an understanding of local government funding and finance system.

Importantly, you will have a delivery focus and be able to provide advice and implement programmes so that things will work on the ground.

Even more importantly, while the work is serious, you will not take yourself too seriously and be prepared to make a joke and have fun while working hard.