• Permanent
• Location: Wellington
• Join a friendly and inclusive environment

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.

About the role | Mō te tūnga:

The Social Impact Policy Team is responsible for policy development and advice relating to a wide range of social policy including care system leadership, the Social Workers Registration Act 2003, the social worker workforce, Family Violence and Sexual Violence, and social cohesion in New Zealand.

The team performs a range of functions including:

• Working with other parts of MSD and across government to develop high quality social policy advice,
• considering proactively how MSD can respond to issues and opportunities across the social sector and building an appropriate policy work programme
• analysing the inputs and outputs of related reviews, inquiries and engagement to ensure this knowledge is incorporated into current and future policy analysis and advice
• advising senior government leaders and Ministers.

As Policy Manager, you will be responsible for leading a small team of policy staff. Your role will be to work with key internal and external stakeholders to develop the strategic direction of the work programme and ensure the team delivers timely and quality policy advice. The work programme will contribute to the broader objectives of the Policy Branch, the work of the Ministry and the priorities of Government.

You will develop and maximise the capability of your team members, providing them with opportunities to grow their skills, knowledge and confidence.

What you bring | Ōu pūmanawatanga:

• Experience leading in a strategic policy environment, excellent judgement
• Skilled relationships building and influencing across a variety of stakeholders
• Experience leading policy projects and producing quality policy advice
• Leadership experience including supporting the performance of individuals and the quality of policy work through mentoring, quality assurance processes and coaching
• Knowledge in and a commitment to further develop your expertise in application of Te Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi
• Building high performing teams, with a focus on fostering a supportive team culture
• Comfortable and effective when working closely with senior leaders including Ministers, Chief Executives and Deputy Chief Executives
• An appropriate tertiary qualification or considerable, relevant practical experience
• The ability to apply a Te Ao Māori paradigm to one’s work and the ability to growing capabilities around Te Tiriti analysis and Te Ao Māori across your team would be a great asset

This team is part of a busy Policy Branch. The branch has a supportive team environment where people are focused on delivering high quality policy advice. We work hard to ensure policy settings reflect the diverse needs and wellbeing of New Zealanders while maintaining a strong focus on staff wellbeing and personal work/life balance. We pride ourselves on investing in and supporting staff to reach their full potential.

Organisation environment | Te taiao o te rōpū:

It is important to us to:

• support your wellbeing and development
• provide a flexible working environment where you can learn from a supportive and collegial team of experienced policy professionals
• develop your career though the opportunities that come from a broad and varied work programme and our commitment to your ongoing professional development
• collaborate and support each other and we make sure everyone has the chance to develop and to take on new challenges
• value diversity of thinking and background – this informs the creation of responsive policy that reflects the communities we serve

For more information about our strategies please visit the following link: Our strategies - Ministry of Social Development

MSD has several employee-led networks that build a sense of community for our people so that they can contribute, belong and thrive. Our employee-led networks include, but are not limited to:

• National Office Māori Staff Network - Te Tini ō te Raurearea
• Pasefika Helava
• Disablednetwork@MSD
• Proud@MSD
• Women’s Network
• Pan Asian Network

MSD is a CareWise employer. We commit to showing manaaki to people in our MSD whānau with caring commitments.

Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga:

Policy Manager Position Description

Salary | Utu-ā-tau: 142,874.00 - 177,798.00

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 key responsibilities 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 – please apply through your myHR portal at work. This will ensure that your myHR employee profile is visible as internal candidate.

Closing date: Wednesday 7th of January. Please note, any and candidate queries will be followed up in the new year.

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, Hapū, 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 that encourages, but does not require, employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and its variants, unless the role is identified as requiring vaccination at the time.

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Policy Manager - Social Impact