Senior Policy Advisor

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

• Apply, develop, and grow your policy expertise and experience working on some of the largest science and innovation reforms in 30 years. 
• Keen to hear from applicants who also have experience working on emerging technology policy, strategy and regulation  
• Salary: $110,098 - $138,028, Wellington CBD, permanent full time, +KiwiSaver and Wellness Benefits. 

Tēnei tūranga - About the Role:

We are looking for a high performing Senior Advisor for the Science Sector Policy team in our Science branch helping to deliver once in a generation reforms to New Zealand’s Science, Innovation, and Technology system. Our current work programme is centred around the Science system reforms, including modernising organisational and legislative settings, implementing a national priority setting mechanism, and changing the science funding model.  

Team Overviews 

Although the role is based in the Science Sector Policy team, the team works in close collobaration with the Science System team to deliver the SI&T reform programme.  An overview of both teams is below: 

Science Sector Policy: This team provides advice on the science sector and advises on and implements the science components of the substantive system reforms. It works on a wide range of policy and strategic issues, through to drafting new legislation and more ‘operational’ policy decisions. 

 
Science Systems Policy: This team provides advice on how New Zealand’s science and research system is designed and stewarded to deliver long term national benefit. The team works across funding, institutions, workforce, infrastructure, and system performance to help lead the reform of the science system and support the Government's science investment decisions. 

The teams are part of the Science Branch which in turn works closely with science investment and economic development teams, as well as engaging with our delivery partners, including Public Research Organisations, businesses, investors, and universities among others.  

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

• We are keen to hear from you if you are a high-performing senior that has:  
• a good base of experience in public policy as a Senior Policy Advisor 
• knowledge of policy development disciplines and processes, and demonstrable experience in applying these to the analysis of policy issues and formulating high-quality policy advice 
• an ability to build requisite knowledge for different policy issues quickly by drawing on   
• information and evidence from multiple and diverse sources 
• an ability to communicate complex issues clearly and coherently 
• a positive, can-do attitude and be flexible and adaptive to changes in requirements 
• the legal right to live and work in New Zealand 

 
A proven ability to work with data, and knowledge of the challenges and opportunities associated with emerging technologies would all be considered advantageous.  

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 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.

We can't wait to hear from you!

Email Matt Guy at matt.guy@mbie.govt.nz quoting ref MBIE/19153 if you have any further questions.

Applications close on 19th of June 2026