Advisor Operational Policy

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

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• Plan, design, and develop regulatory system changes and improvements that support the growth and sustainability of New Zealand’s oil, gas, mineral, and renewable energy sectors.
• Ensure Resource and Energy policies are operationally deliverable and effectively implemented, turning policy into practical action
• Wellington based, Permanent full-time position and office-based role
• Salary: $75,114 to $93,724 plus KiwiSaver and wellness benefits

Tēnei tūranga - About the Role:

Are you a systems thinker with a knack for translating policy into action? Do you love connecting dots between legislation, operations, and people? Then this role is for you.

As our new Advisor - Operational Policy, you’ll be the bridge between policy teams, operational teams, and regulatory system participants. You’ll work in projects that bring policy to life, designing processes, crafting forms, guidance and SOP’s, and making sure change happens smoothly and meaningfully.

You’ll work with Treaty partners, stakeholders, and end users to co-design solutions that are not only technically sound but people centred.

No two days are the same. One moment you might be drafting a briefing for the Minister on how a new regime will roll out, the next you’re updating the GM on a key piece of work, and then you’re front and centre presenting progress to a Governance Group or running a workshop with SMEs to under the impact of a policy change. It’s varied, fast-paced, and full of impact.

Recent highlights from our team include implementing the new Offshore Renewable Energy regime, reversing the ban on oil and gas, and delivering our part of the Fast-track approvals process. And we’re just getting started, exciting work is underway shaping New Zealand’s energy and resources future.

Ngā pukenga me ngā wheako e hiahiatia ana -

Skills and Experience Required
 

To be successfully in this role, you’ll bring:

• Experience in policy or operational policy work or similar experience in service design, regulatory systems, or business analysis, ideally within government.
• Confidence tackling complex problems using analytical thinking, impact analysis tools, and quantitative data to build smart, workable solutions.
• Strong communication skills, whether it’s writing, presenting, or visualising ideas, you tailor your message to suit the audience and clearly present analysis and ideas on paper.
• A delivery-focused mindset—planning, prioritising, and meeting milestones comes naturally, and you’re proactive in managing your workload and spotting opportunities to add value.
• An understanding of how policy gets made and how legislation and regulatory change work in the public sector
• The ability to assess information, identify implications, and develop sound advice and business cases that support decision-making.
• Familiarity with business process design and analysis.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship management skills—you collaborate well, build trust, and bring positive energy to the team.
• Legal right to live and work in New Zealand.

Ētahi kōrero mō MBIE - About 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 Te Tiriti o Waitangi between Māori and the Crown and is committed to giving effect to Te Tiriti o 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 ahungaroa o ngāi wi, o ngāi Māori, me ētahi atu rōpū Māori ki te Karauna, katutuki 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 kaupapakua 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.

Me pēhea te tono - How to Apply:

Click here to view a position description. 

When you are ready to apply please send a CV and cover letter telling us why you're the perfect fit for this role.

All applications must be submitted via our online process.

We can't wait to hear from you!

Email Monica Chow at monica.chow2@mbie.govt.nz quoting ref MBIE/17752 if you have any further questions.

Applications close at 11.59pm on Friday, 18 July.