Principal Policy Advisor

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

• Tourism is a core contributor to the Government’s Going for Growth plan. Actively shape policy advice and initiatives that help New Zealand grow.
• Further your policy career in the Government’s lead agency for Economic Growth.
• Join a dynamic, fun and collaborative team at the interface of Government and industry.
• Apply your policy expertise to complex and interesting issues, while mentoring and coaching team members.
• Salary: $132,417 - $162,472 Wellington CBD permanent full-time role.

Tēnei tūranga - About the Role:

We are seeking a Principal Policy Advisor to join our Tourism Policy team. You will play a leading role in delivering our ambitious branch work programme. You will use your experience of leading discussions with Ministers and stakeholders to advance our policy work and project manage large and often complex programmes of work.

We are seeking someone who is comfortable with data and can use their quantitative skills to produce insightful and evidence-based policy advice.

The Tourism portfolio is busy and fast-paced and would suit someone who is happy to juggle multiple tasks and work with the manager on team leadership and supporting the development of team members.
 

About the Team

The Tourism Policy teams (within the Economic Development and Tourism branch) are the Government’s advisors on all things Tourism and Hospitality. Tourism is New Zealand’s second largest export earner and is a significant sector in the Government’s Going for Growth plan (https://www.goingforgrowth.govt.nz/goingforgrowth.pdf). 

The wider branch is responsible for a range of Economic Growth Policy, Operational Policy, Fund Management and Major Event functions. MBIE supports a wide range of flexible working arrangements.  Talk to us about what might work for both you and us. 
 

Ngā pukenga me ngā wheako e hiahiatia ana -

Skills and Experience Required
 

The Principal Policy Advisor is a leadership position in MBIE. You will bring your proven policy, relationship and delivery skills to support our work with key partners. Experience leading discussions with Ministers and stakeholders is critical, as is the ability to think analytically and strategically through issues and use data and evidence to provide robust advice.

We are keen to hear from you if you have:

• A strong understanding of policy processes, delivering robust and strategic analysis and advice. 
• Are comfortable with data and can use their quantitative skills to produce insightful and evidence-based policy advice.
• Effectively led and delivered complex work programmes.
• Built credible, respected relationships and engaged with diverse stakeholders to influence outcomes (including Ministers, staff in partner agencies, Māori partners, industry partners, and other key external stakeholders).
• The ability to communicate coherently and with clarity on complex issues.
• Provided active coaching and mentoring support to others.
• Flexibly responded to changes in priorities and demands for work, and managed associated risks.
• Must be a NZ Citizen or be in possession of a residence class visa.

Why Work for Us?

Developing our policy staff is a key focus for MBIE.  We have a culture where policy staff are empowered to bring fresh perspectives to issues and to think ‘outside the box’.  Being the largest ‘policy shop’ in NZ, MBIE offers significant opportunity for developing experience across a broad variety of areas. We encourage excellence and proactively support development through on-the-job learning, training courses, conferences and seminars, development programmes, secondments, rotations to other branches and study opportunities.

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. All applications must be submitted via our online process and include a Cover Letter and CV outlining your interest and suitability for the role. 

Please email Jackie Johnson at jackie.johnson@mbie.govt.nz quoting ref MBIE/16737 if you have any further questions.

Applications close on 2nd March 2025 at 11.59pm.