Senior Policy Advisor

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

• Join the dynamic and collaborative Energy Markets branch
• Contribute to a significant and exciting programme of work to ensure New Zealanders have secure, sustainable, and affordable energy
• Two permanent and two fixed-term positions available for Senior Policy Advisors, based in Wellington. The fixed term positions are until November 2026.
• Salary: $110,098.00 - $138,028.00, plus Kiwisaver

Tēnei tūranga - About the Role:

The Energy Markets Branch has a high priority work programme to ensure New Zealand has a supply of secure, sustainable, and affordable energy.

As a Senior Policy Advisor, you will be responsible for undertaking complex policy analysis, providing authoritative policy advice, leading complex policy work and teams, and coaching and mentoring others.

MBIE and the Energy Markets Branch operate in a flexible way to deliver on Government priorities. This means you will be expected to be able to work across a range of projects and teams.

 
The roles will support policy work across the Energy Branch and will sit within the Energy Use, Gas and Fuel, and Electrify NZ policy teams to support work on issues including energy efficiency, gas supply and use, wood energy, electricity networks and offshore wind.

About the Branch
 
We are responsible for the energy markets regulatory system. The energy system plays a significant role in creating a productive and sustainable economy. We make sure New Zealanders have secure, sustainable, and affordable energy to drive our economy and way of life. 

Our branch is a fun, collaborative, fast-paced and supportive environment, with established peer learning initiatives, policy fora and cross-team working, and lots of opportunities for engaging with stakeholders.

We are looking for a motivated person with strong analytical and critical thinking skills, the experience or potential to work on primary or secondary legislation, comfortable with ambiguity, and able to deliver results. 

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

• A relevant tertiary qualification
• Knowledge of policy frameworks/principles/tools/approaches and experience in applying these to the analysis of policy issues and formulating high-quality policy advice
• Experience and knowledge of the energy sector is desirable, but not a requirement. Applicants with experience in energy sector regulation, distribution networks, or in legislative frameworks for resource management or health & safety, or in engineering, economics or innovation should highlight this in their application
• Ability to build relevant knowledge for different policy issues - quickly drawing on information and evidence from multiple and diverse sources
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with an eye for detail
• A collaborative approach to working with others and experience in working effectively with Ministers, public service officials, internal and external stakeholders
• Understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles and application of these in public policy and in partnership with Māori
• 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.

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

Email Danielle Plane at Danielle.Plane2@mbie.govt.nz if you have any further questions.

Applications close on 8 February 2026 (midnight)