Senior Policy Advisor (Permanent) at Department of Conservation, Wellington

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

The Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai (DOC) has a vision for Aotearoa, New Zealand to be the greatest living space on Earth. It is responsible for some of the most important issues facing Aotearoa, New Zealand: how to look after our unique environment in a way that benefits current and future generations.

We have a new and ambitious strategy focused on improving conservation outcomes and the Policy group works across a range of policy, regulatory, and funding issues to do so. 

We have permanent and a fixed term opportunity available for senior/ policy advisors to join our team to collectively achieve better results for our precious and unique ecosystems, species, heritage and spaces. DOC's roles and responsibilities in relation to these outcomes are broad and deep: managing a third of New Zealand's land including many places of national significance and a vast network of assets, managing protected species and undertaking large-and small-scale at place conservation interventions, regulating activities that impact wildlife, regulating coastal and marine activities, research and monitoring of biodiversity trends and interventions, and as a large provider and regulator of tourism and recreation services.

The Policy Unit (within the Strategy and Policy Group) provides the strategic direction and thought leadership for DOC and for the conservation system. The group ensures DOC has the right frameworks and settings in place to deliver on our outcomes for conservation, to meet Government priorities, and to be an honourable Treaty partner.

Mō te tūnga | About the roles and the teams

We have policy opportunities available in our new Climate Change Policy team and Tourism and Economic Development Policy team. We are looking for smart, inquisitive, and ambitious senior policy advisors/ policy advisors with a passion for providing high quality advice.  

The Climate Change Policy team

• This team is focused on the government's response to the climate crisis and how we can adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change in a nature-friendly way.
• In this new team you will contribute to impactful cross-government policy and lead the development of policy to address both the climate and biodiversity crises.

The Tourism and Economic Development Policy team

• The team focuses on the interactions between people and the natural environment.
• Its work considers how to enable important wellbeing outcomes associated with the use of public conservation lands while protecting our unique places and the species they contain.
• This includes policy on tourism and visitors, renewable energy, and natural resource use and extraction on conservation land.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What's in it for you

Alongside interesting and varied day-to-day work, we have a collegial and supportive working environment where you can test your thinking and ideas.  

DOC is committed to building a workplace where our differences are recognised, respected, and embraced. Our organisation's success is dependent on our people feeling valued for their differences, empowered to contribute, and respected for what they bring to their role. 

The positions are based at our Wellington office, close by to great cafes and Cuba Street.

We offer flexible working as standard, so if you are looking for a role that will give you professional challenge, whilst maintaining a work-life balance, this could be the role for you. 

He kōrero mōu | What we are looking for 

We are looking for motivated people from a range of policy backgrounds, who have a genuine interest in policy relating to the climate, conservation and managing people's interactions with the environment for the benefit of both.

Senior/ policy advisors will have: 

• strong critical thinking capability – be adept at breaking down problems and identifying the critical issues and risks when undertaking policy analysis and providing pragmatic solutions to problems
• stakeholder management skills including experience building and maintaining relationships with internal and external partners
• the ability to work with other to resolve issues collaboratively
• the ability to mentor and manaaki other colleagues in their work
• treaty analysis and cultural awareness skills – understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi including the willingness to engage in Te Ao Māori concepts and/or understanding tikanga Māori
• strong policy analysis skills coupled with previous experience working with and advising senior leaders and Ministers at a strategic level (senior advisors)
• proven experience leading complex project-based policy work in a pragmatic and agile way (senior advisor).

As part of a small but pivotal unit, your ability to work with and through others, both in and outside of DOC, will be critical. As will your ability to think through policy problems clearly and impartially, and to communicate your advice in an accessible and compelling way.

Above all, we are looking for someone who feels inspired, day in day out and connected to our united purpose: Papatūānuku Thrives.

Tono ināianei | Apply now 

Keen to join an organisation and a team dedicated to championing and advocating for conservation?

Submit your CV and a tailored cover letter (PDF) online that describes your interest in the role and that highlights your relevant skills, experience, and personal qualities.

Please highlight in your cover letter your preference for a fixed term opportunity or permanent position.

Rā katinga | Applications close at 5 pm on Wednesday, 7 June 2023.

Me he pātai anō | For any enquiries, see the following key contact for your preferred team:

The Climate Change Policy Team, contact Jane McKessar at jmckessar@doc.govt.nz or on 027 2013238.
Taupānga | Job reference: Climate Change Team - Senior Policy Advisor.

The Tourism and Economic Development Policy team, contact Logan Penniket at lpenniket@doc.govt.nz or on 027 201 3238.
Taupānga | Job reference: Tourism and Economic Development team- Senior Policy Advisor.

Eligibility to work in New Zealand is mandatory – this includes holding a valid work visa that covers the whole period of employment.