Senior Policy (or Principal) Analyst

Madison Recruitment; Wellington; On-site; NZD 200,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

Madisonrecruitment is seeking a Senior or Principal Policy Analyst for a central government organisation in Wellington. This four-to-six-month contract focuses on high-profile tertiary education policy, including Māori education providers, Māori-Crown relationships, and funding/regulatory settings that support the sector.

The role requires leading Cabinet paper development, RIS/RAS processes, and advising Ministers with robust evidence-based analysis.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in strategic public policy within central government.
• Proven ability to shape policy direction rather than implement established settings.
• Experience leading Cabinet paper development and RIS/RAS processes.
• Strong analytical and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic policy projects and work programmes.
• Analyse complex policy issues and identify strategic policy options.
• Develop high-quality policy advice for Ministers and senior decision-makers.
• Prepare Cabinet papers, briefing material, and Ministerial correspondence.
• Lead and contribute to Regulatory Impact Statements (RIS) and Regulatory Analysis Statements (RAS).
• Apply a range of policy levers, including funding and regulatory settings, to achieve desired outcomes.
• Assess policy trade-offs and provide clear recommendations on complex issues.
• Engage effectively with stakeholders across government, the tertiary education sector, and Māori organisations.
• Build strong working relationships and influence across a broad range of audiences.
• Present clear, concise and compelling advice that supports government decision-making.

Skills

Strategic policy

Policy analysis

Cabinet paper writing

Regulatory analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Maori engagement

Critical thinking

Influencing senior stakeholders

Job description

Senior Policy (or Principal) Analyst

Government & Defence
Wellington Central
Full Time
$145 - $160 per hour

We are partnering with a central government organisation seeking an experienced Senior or Principal Policy Analyst to join a high-performing policy team on an initial four-to-six-month contract.

This is an excellent opportunity for a seasoned policy professional who enjoys operating in the strategic, "Big P" policy space and contributing to high-profile government decisions. The work programme focuses on tertiary education policy, including Māori tertiary education providers, Māori-Crown relationships, and the funding and regulatory settings that support the sector. You will also contribute to broader policy work relating to student support settings.

This role requires someone who is comfortable navigating complex and often ambiguous policy issues. You will be expected to identify strategic options, assess trade-offs, challenge underlying assumptions, and provide robust evidence-based advice that informs Ministers and senior decision-makers. The successful contractor will bring the ability to shape policy direction and influence outcomes, rather than focusing solely on implementation and operational policy.

What You’ll Be Doing

As a Senior / Principal Policy Analyst, you will:

• Lead strategic policy projects and work programmes.
• Analyse complex policy issues and identify strategic policy options.
• Develop high-quality policy advice for Ministers and senior decision-makers.
• Prepare Cabinet papers, briefing material, and Ministerial correspondence.
• Lead and contribute to Regulatory Impact Statements (RIS) and Regulatory Analysis Statements (RAS).
• Apply a range of policy levers, including funding and regulatory settings, to achieve desired outcomes.
• Assess policy trade-offs and provide clear recommendations on complex issues.
• Engage effectively with stakeholders across government, the tertiary education sector, and Māori organisations.
• Build strong working relationships and influence across a broad range of audiences.
• Present clear, concise and compelling advice that supports government decision-making.

What We’re Looking For

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• Significant experience working in strategic public policy roles within central government.
• Strong "Big P" policy capability, including experience shaping policy direction rather than primarily implementing established policy settings.
• Demonstrated experience working on complex, ambiguous, and high-profile policy issues.
• Proven experience leading Cabinet paper development and providing advice to Ministers.
• Experience leading RIS and/or RAS processes.
• The ability to work effectively with multiple policy levers, including funding and regulatory frameworks.
• Strong analytical and critical-thinking capability, with the ability to identify strategic choices and trade-offs.
• Excellent judgement, political awareness, and organisational nous.
• Outstanding written communication skills and the ability to distil complex issues into clear, actionable advice.
• Experience building relationships across government and influencing senior stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience working with Maori stakeholders, Maori-Crown relationships, kaupapa Maori policy, or Maori education settings is highly desirable.
• The ability to quickly establish credibility and deliver value in a contract environment.

What’s on Offer

• Initial four month contract with strong potential for extension.
• Meaningful work contributing to significant government decisions.
• Opportunity to work on complex and high-profile tertiary policy issues.
• Collaborative and experienced team environment.
• Wellington-based contract opportunity.
• Competitive hourly rate.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in New Zealand.