Senior Policy Advisor

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

• MBIE Space Policy os seeking a Senior or Advisor to Join their team
• Wellington based Permanent opportunity
• Salary – Policy Advisor:  $75,114 – $93,724
• Salary – Senior Policy Advisor: $110,098 - $138,028
• Shape the future of space policy in New Zealand

Tēnei tūranga - About the Role:

The New Zealand Space Agency, part of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), is seeking a highly capable Senior Policy Advisor or Policy AdvisorS to join our Space Policy and Sector Development Team. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the strategic direction of one of the world’s most dynamic space sectors through regulatory and sector development policy.

New Zealand is a globally recognised space-faring nation, hosting the third-highest number of orbital launches in 2024. Our team plays a critical role in facilitating innovative space activities in New Zealand as seamlessly as possible while ensuring that space activities originating from New Zealand are safe, sustainable, and aligned with our national interests. We operate at the nexus of regulatory policy, international engagement, and economic development, supporting a sector that is both commercially ambitious and strategically significant.

About the role

You will be part of a high-performing team responsible for:
•    Leading the development of regulatory policy that enable innovation while managing safety, security and national interests.
•    Providing strategic, evidence-based advice to Ministers on space policy across regulatory, sector development and international policy domains.
•    Designing and implementing government strategies to support the growth of a competitive, responsible, and resilient space industry.
•    Engaging with domestic agencies and international partners to advance New Zealand’s reputation as a trusted and forward-looking space actor.
•    Develops and implements sector development initiatives to support the growth of New Zealand’s space sector and its contribution to the New Zealand economy.

This role is ideal for individuals who enjoy working on complex policy issues in a fast-paced environment, are motivated by public impact, and bring a strategic and analytical approach to policy development.
The role blends rigorous analytical policy work with hands-on implementation, supporting the development of strategic policy interventions to support sector growth and taking ownership of delivery and implementation of sector development initiatives. 

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

Policy Advisor candidates will demonstrate:

•    Experience in regulatory policy development, ideally within complex or emerging sectors.
•    Strong analytical skills and familiarity with policy frameworks and tools.
•    Excellent communication skills, including experience drafting Cabinet papers, ministerial briefings, or equivalent.
•    A collaborative working style and proven stakeholder engagement capabilities.
•    An ability to think strategically and manage ambiguity.
•    Adaptability and a willingness to be flexible on a day-to-day basis to ensure high-quality delivery of government priorities.
•    Familiarity with space, aerospace, or advanced technology sectors is advantageous but not essential.

Senior Policy Advisor candidates will demonstrate all of the above, plus:

•    A proven track record of leading complex policy projects and delivering high-quality outcomes.
•    The ability to mentor and support junior staff.

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 for the advisors position

Click here to view a position description for the senior advisors position

Please submit your CV and a cover letter specifying whether you are applying for the Senior Policy Advisor or Policy Advisor role. Your cover letter should outline your relevant experience and your interest in the role.

All applications must be submitted via our online process.

We can't wait to hear from you!

Email Matt Guy at matt.guy@mbie.govt.nz quoting ref MBIE/17733 if you have any further questions.

Applications close on 21st of July 2025