Senior Policy Analyst, Network and Infrastructure

New Zealand Government; Wellington; On-site; NZD 101,000 - 146,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ministry of Education in New Zealand seeks a Senior Policy Analyst to join the Network and Infrastructure Policy team in Wellington. You’ll influence the policy settings for school property and network infrastructure, working with policy, data and analytics, finance, legal and operations to turn evidence into practical settings for schools.

This permanent full-time role offers the chance to shape the education system, requires senior policy experience, knowledge of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Te

Qualifications

• Proven policy experience at a senior analyst level.
• Ability to collaborate to find solutions and provide innovative policy approaches.
• Strong evidence-based analysis and advisory skills for Ministers.
• Knowledge of Te Ao Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi in public sector.
• Ability to engage with Ministers and senior leadership.

Responsibilities

• Set the strategic direction of the school property portfolio, aligned with educational outcomes and system priorities.
• Shape policy settings that guide where and how schooling is provided across the network, including planning investment and enrolment schemes.
• Develop policy advice to support access to schooling, including school transport settings and virtual learning across networks.
• Support the establishment of the new model for the operational delivery of school property.

Skills

Senior policy experience

Collaboration

Critical thinking

Evidence-based analysis

Advice to senior leadership

Te Ao Māori knowledge

Te Tiriti o Waitangi knowledge

Job description

Help shape the future of education in New Zealand. Help shape the future of Education. We work to shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent outcomes. Our organisation is made up of talented and committed people around Aotearoa, from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. While we work in different groups and on different things, we all strive every day to make the biggest difference we can for our students in our education system.

About this role | Mō tēnei tūranga

This is a permanent full-time role based in Wellington. Help shape the schooling network and infrastructure that enables learners across New Zealand to access high-quality education. Join a high-performing policy team working at the heart of the education system. We are looking for an experienced, capable and committed Senior Policy Analyst to join our Network and Infrastructure Policy team within the Schools Policy Group.

Schools Policy Group

We work at the heart of the schooling system, designing policy to ensure every learner has the opportunity to thrive. Our work spans a broad and diverse portfolio, including quality teaching and leadership, the curriculum and qualifications schools deliver, school resourcing, and the networks and infrastructure that support access to education. Across this work, we are responsible for a range of strategic, funding, and legislative and regulatory policy levers, providing high-quality advice to Ministers informed by data-driven analysis, evidence, and meaningful engagement with the education sector.

The group is known for being highly collaborative, supportive, and intellectually curious. We work closely together to solve complex problems, share ideas openly, and build on each other's thinking. We aim to create a positive team culture where people feel comfortable sharing ideas, learning from each other, and developing their policy skills. Alongside delivering high-quality policy work, we make time to connect as a group, support people's ongoing development, and maintain an inclusive environment.

Network and Infrastructure Policy Team

The Network and Infrastructure Policy team leads the Ministry's policy advice on how schools are planned and organised across the country and sets the long-term direction for the education property portfolio. We work at the intersection of education, infrastructure, and investment to deliver a schooling network that meets the needs of learners and communities.

In this role, you could be working on advice to:

• Set the strategic direction of the school property portfolio, aligned with educational outcomes and system priorities.
• Shape policy settings that guide where and how schooling is provided across the network. This includes developing advice on where new schools are needed, the types of educational settings required, planning investment for future growth, managing enrolment schemes, and ensuring the network can respond effectively to changing student demand.
• Develop policy advice to support access to schooling, including school transport settings and virtual learning across networks.
• Support the establishment of the new model for the operational delivery of school property.

This is complex, high-impact work that directly affects how students access schooling, supporting better outcomes for learners across New Zealand. You'll be part of a highly collaborative team, working closely with colleagues across policy, data and analytics, finance, legal, and operational teams to turn evidence into practical network and infrastructure settings for schools.

Salary range: $101,296 - $145,560 per annum + Kiwi Saver. The successful candidate will be appointed at a salary which reflects individual skills and experience.

For more details about the role, you can view the Job Description here Senior Policy Analyst Network and Infrastructure

About you | Mōhou ake

You will have proven policy experience at a senior analyst level, and thrive in a fast-paced policy environment. You have proven ability to collaborate with others to find solutions, be a critical thinker and be able to bring innovative approaches to complex policy issues. You have sound approaches to developing evidence-based analysis and advice. You have experience providing high-quality advice to senior leadership teams and Ministers. You have demonstrated knowledge of Te Ao Māori and promote tikanga and Te Reo Māori. You have knowledge of te Tiriti o Waitangi as it applies in the public sector. You have the ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.

In return we can offer you the opportunity to contribute to a high profile, challenging and ambitious agenda for change, a strong focus on the development of our people, and the ability to drive and influence policy direction.

About our group and team | Mātau rōpū ake

This role sits within Te Pou Kaupapahere, the Ministry's Policy Group. We are a group with a strong policy culture that works on issues affecting a huge system that directly impacts the lives of all New Zealanders. Te Pou Kaupapahere works alongside our colleagues in other parts of the Ministry, other central education agencies and wider government to provide Ministers with policy options to resource and shape the education system. This means delivering whole-of-system, end-to-end policy that covers early learning, schooling, and tertiary including Māori medium, te reo Māori, Pacific and learning support.

Our group provides policy support for all parts of the Ministry, including their connections with iwi, hapū, hapori and Māori peak bodies, in the development of policy that honours te Tiriti o Waitangi. We’re proud of the culture in our policy teams. We appreciate and support each other and develop strong relationships that underpin our ability to deliver good work, including holding relationships with all education Ministers.

For further information, please contact Jordan Na'ama, Senior Policy Manager at [e-mail]

Applications close Midnight Wednesday 30 September 2026.

We want our people to feel valued for their unique qualities and have a sense of belonging. If you require assistance or adjustments to fully participate in the recruitment process, please let us know.