About us
 
The Ministry of Social Development is a people-centred organisation. We're in communities across the motu, working with partners to help New Zealanders be safe, strong and independent.
 
We provide social policy and advice to government and assistance, including income, employment and housing support to people of all ages, families, whānau and communities.
 
As a Te Tiriti o Waitangi partner we are committed to supporting and enabling Māori, whānau, hapū, Iwi and communities to realise their own potential and aspirations.
 
Our people are as diverse as the communities we serve. We care about the wellbeing and success of our people and provide a supportive and inclusive working environment where people can thrive and be who they are.

Senior Policy Analysts & Policy Analyst

Permanent Opportunities

Location: Wellington 
 

We're seeking motivated Senior Policy Analysts and Policy Analyst to join our energetic Employment Policy Teams at the Ministry of Social Development (MSD). Opportunities for Policy Analysts are also open for the right person! 

There is a lot of great work you could be involved in.  Joining our teams will give you the opportunity to lead and work on policies that make a difference for people who are disadvantaged in the labour market.

We focus on improving employment and wellbeing outcomes and supporting people into sustainable employment.

About the Teams

Employment Policy Teams

The two Employment Policy Teams focus on ensuring that vulnerable people are supported to prepare for, secure and sustain employment.  MSD's role in employment policy includes responsibility for providing advice on MSD employment programmes for groups of New Zealanders who are disadvantaged in the labour market and supporting MSD service delivery to improve employment outcomes and wellbeing for the most vulnerable.   We work closely with other teams within the Ministry, with other government agencies, and for some policies, with key external stakeholders.  We also connect with other agencies to support the Government's overhaul of the welfare system and the Employment Strategy. The work requires ability to rise to requests with tight timeframes through to planning and preparing work with a 6 month to 2-year timeframe.
 

Recent examples of the work we do includes:

• fast-paced advice to support the Government's response to COVID-19 such as advice to stand-up the Covid-19 Wage Subsidy and the COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme quickly, inform border exceptions policies and strengthen the New Zealand Seasonal Work Scheme 
• hands-on design of employment assistance, for example to expand the Government's Flexi-wage initiative which will assist up to 40,000 New Zealanders into work 
• development of Working Matters, an Employment Action Plan for disabled people which involved engaging collaboratively with disabled people and their whānau as well as employers, unions, and service providers 
• coordinating and leading relevant policy actions in the Maori Employment Action Plan, Older Workers Employment Action Plan and contributing to other employment action plans.
• advice that reinstated the Training Incentive Allowance for higher level study (up to degree level) from 1 July 2022.  
• provide a wide range of strategic advice across employment, for example on employment assistance, “the future of work” and climate change.

What are the Benefits of Working in Policy at MSD?

• We are a large organisation with policies and services that support most New Zealanders at some point in their life – from Child Care Assistance to Public Housing to Superannuation.
• We work collaboratively with the service delivery groups of our Ministry and with our policy colleagues across government, to ensure fit for purpose policies – you can see the policies you've developed right through to operational implementation
• Our practice is guided by a foundation of shared cultural behaviours  which has embedded a positive and supportive working environment.
• We have a new strategic direction – Te Pae Tawhiti – that sets out a strong vision and purpose for MSD.
• We are committed to building diversity, accessibility, and inclusion in our workplace.  We can offer flexible working arrangements

Our Working Environment:

• Employment policy offers a supportive team environment and an opportunity to be part of a busy, thriving Policy Branch. 
• We work hard while maintaining a strong focus on staff wellbeing and personal work/life balance. 
• We pride ourselves on investing in developing and supporting staff to reach their full potential.

About You

Skills and Experience 

What makes you a successful candidate? 

• We're keen to hear from motivated senior analysts and policy analysts with a track record in policy advice. 
• We're looking for great people skills as you'll be working with stakeholders across our organisation and externally.  
• We're keen on people who will fit our collegial, supportive culture, and have the action orientation to shape, lead and contribute to policy work that is a priority for Ministers and our Chief Executive. 
• You'll need strong analytical and critical thinking ability and excellent judgement.  
• As a Senior analyst you will bring leadership ability, with the skills and an interest in coaching and developing others.

If you like variety in your work, and enjoy contributing to a friendly, collaborative team environment, we welcome your application. Please include in your cover letter the position title and the team you are applying for.  

Position Description

https://www.msd.govt.nz/hr/documents/position-descriptions/dce-policy/senior-policy-analyst-march-2021.docx

https://www.msd.govt.nz/hr/documents/position-descriptions/dce-policy/policy-analyst-march-2021.docx

How to apply

To apply, click the 'Apply Now' button to upload your CV, cover letter and complete the online application form.  

Note: Your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the competencies listed in the position description. 

All applications must be made online.  If this is not possible or if you have any queries, please contact us at jobs@msd.govt.nz

Internal MSD Employees â€“ please apply through your myHR portal at work.  This will ensure that your myHR employee profile is visible as internal candidate.

Closing date:  Sunday, 27 February 2022

Joining us

Joining MSD means being part of a whānau that celebrates the diversity each individual represents.  We show manaaki, we care about the wellbeing and success of people and want everyone to thrive, and be who they are in a supportive and inclusive working environment. We work together to make a difference for communities while doing the right thing with integrity. We are a Treaty partner committed to strengthening relationships with Māori, HapÅ«, Iwi and communities to realise their own potential and aspirations.

If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to tell us when you apply so we can assist you through the recruitment process.

MSD has a COVID-19 vaccination policy which requires employees to be fully vaccinated.