Principal Policy Advisor

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

• Join the Communications Policy team
• Take the lead to solve complex policy challenges
• Work alongside passionate people and communities
• Permanent opportunity, Wellington based location
• Salary: $132,417 to $160,472 plus KiwiSaver + Wellness Benefits

About the Team:

Come and join the Communications policy team and play a key role in connecting New Zealanders. Our team works on a range of policy issues, spanning the delivery of connectivity infrastructure, and telecommunications and cybersecurity regulatory settings. Being the Communications policy team, we also have responsibility for postal policy.

We engage with telecommunications sector stakeholders on a regular basis, and this engagement and relationship management is crucial to the effectiveness of our team. We also work closely with the Commerce Commission. The global nature of communications means we also engage with our international counterparts on a regular basis.

Our team has a supportive culture, focussed on giving people the opportunities they need to stretch and grow in their policy careers. 

About the Role - Tēnei tūranga:

Our Principal Policy Advisors take the lead on complex and high profile government policy projects.  They apply their policy expertise, influencing skills and their superb communication to engage and work collaboratively with various groups and Ministerial offices.  They bring their solid understanding of legislative frameworks and processes, Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles, and the wider political environment to better position New Zealand for the future. They are part of our policy leadership teams and share their knowledge to support and coach others to improve our public policy capability.

Skills and Experience Required - Ngā pukenga me ngā wheako e hiahiatia ana:

Ideally you will have:

• Experience leading complex policy projects within central government
• Understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles and application of these in public policy and in partnership with Māori
• Wide ranging knowledge of policy development disciplines and processes
• Strong stakeholder relationship building, influencing and engagement skills to gain the cooperation and commitment of others
• Demonstrated capability in working with Ministers, senior public service officials, internal and external stakeholders
• Passion for leading and coaching others to develop their policy craft and take their careers to the next level
• The ability to work through ambiguity and deliver result
• Holding a security clearance, or willingness and ability to gain a security clearance, is preferred

About MBIE - Ētahi kōrero mō 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 ahunga roa o ngā iwi, o ngāi Māori, me ētahi atu rōpū Māori ki te Karauna, ka tutuki 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 kaupapa kua 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.

About our MBIE Policy Community:

MBIE has a diverse range of policy, regulatory and service delivery responsibilities that help build the economic success of New Zealand.  Our purpose is to “grow New Zealand for all” and our work makes a difference to many aspects of New Zealanders' daily lives.

MBIE has a well-established public policy community.  We work with multiple Ministers across a wide range of subjects; from building and resources to science and innovation, to Maori economic development, to labour and employment, plus many more.  Our work programmes are as interesting as they are varied. For more information go to: MBIE Policy Community

How to Apply - Me pēhea te tono:

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.

Email Monica Chow at Monica.Chow2@mbie.govt.nz quoting ref MBIE/19846 if you have any further questions.

Applications close on Thursday, 30th July at 11.59pm.