Principal Policy Advisor | International & Humanitarian - Immigration Policy
Wellington, NZ, 6011
Discover a career with purpose at MBIE
• Lead and contribute to strategic analysis to support the Government’s priorities
• Provide high-quality, evidence-based advice on complex matters with a strong focus on immigration system outcomes
• Apply expertise and judgement to complex policy issues, while mentoring and coaching team members
• Permanent full-time role | Wellington Central location
• Salary range: $132,417 - $160,472 plus KiwiSaver and Wellness Benefits
Tēnei tūranga - About the Role:
We are looking for a Principal Policy Advisor to join the Immigration (International and Humanitarian) Policy team. You’ll be part of a team with a policy programme that directly impacts the lives of New Zealanders and prospective migrants and refugees. This role will involve leading advice, shaping the work programme, developing team members, and working constructively with community, industry and government stakeholders.
We are looking for someone who is constructive and motivated, with experience in leading high-profile policy projects and a track record of providing quality advice on complex issues.
You will have the opportunity to work with a wide range of other agencies and make connections across a range of government systems with a focus on the labour market, social services and our international and humanitarian objectives.
About the team:
The Immigration (International and Humanitarian) Policy team provides advice on immigration policies related to:
• refugee and humanitarian settings, including the Refugee Quota programme and responses to humanitarian emergencies
• international engagement, multilateral fora (UN, OECD etc), bilateral engagement, and trade negotiations
• international education
• Pacific migration settings, including the Recognised Seasonal Employer Policy.
We work closely with other agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and with refugee and migrant communities and advocates. The team also works closely with Immigration New Zealand to ensure that operational considerations are part of policy analysis, and that there is policy oversight of how policies are being implemented.
The International and Humanitarian team works alongside two other Immigration Policy teams (Border and Funding, and Skills and Residence). All team members have opportunities to engage with Ministers, industry, and communities.
The team sits within the Labour, Science and Enterprise Group at MBIE, ensuring immigration settings can align with and support the Government’s wider priorities.
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.
Ngā pukenga me ngā wheako e hiahiatia ana -
Skills and Experience Required
The Principal Policy Advisor is a leadership position in MBIE. We are looking for motivated people with experience leading high-profile policy projects and a track record of problem solving and providing quality advice in complex situations.
You will be working in partnership with the Policy Manager and other Principal Policy Advisors to lead and develop an already capable policy team. In this context, importance is placed on supporting team members to lead advice themselves while refining their policy skills and judgement.
Experience in labour market and economic policy and working with regulatory systems would be valuable, but most important is the ability to think analytically and strategically through issues and balance principled and pragmatic considerations.
We are keen to hear from you if you have:
• Proven experience leading complex policy projects
• Demonstrated capability in working with Ministers and senior public service officials, with the ability to communicate complex issues clearly
• A good understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles and application of these in public policy and in partnership with Māori
• A collaborative way of working and skills in building and maintaining effective working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders
• A proactive approach to contribute to capability development and commitment to support a positive team culture
• A strong focus on delivery, especially when managing competing priorities
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 submit your 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 Fati Tagata at fati.tagata@mbie.govt.nz quoting ref MBIE/19468 if you have any further questions.
Applications close on Wednesday 17 June 2026.