Kaitohutohu Mātāmua | Principal Advisor - Adaptation Legislation at Ministry for the Environment, Flexible

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Exciting fixed-term role to support government priorities for adaptation policy - March 2026
• High profile work
• Flexible working to support your work-life balance

Mō te tūnga | About the role

We are looking for a strategic and innovative Principal Advisor to lead and support our Adaptation Legislation work programme for a fixed term period to provide maternity leave cover. The Adaptation Legislation team is the team responsible for the legislative process giving effect to the adaptation framework. You will be joining a small cohort of experienced Principal Advisors to lead the strategic thinking behind the adaptation framework.

Key areas of focus of the role will likely include:

• providing senior operator oversight of the policy development and evidence base supporting decisions on the adaptation framework
• providing financial and economic analysis of market behaviour and market risk to support policy advice

This is an opportunity for you to play a key role to influence positive change and work in an exciting policy area.   

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

Our ideal candidate will bring:

• strategic leadership and intellectual capability
• sound understanding of the machinery of government and policy development
• skills in economic analysis for public policy, including a good understanding of market behaviour
• strong stakeholder management and engagement skills across diverse groups
• experience working in a cross-agency environment
• a collaborative operating style
• intellectually sharp, capable, and agile you will lead, influence and manoeuvre through complex political situations effectively
• coaching and mentoring experience
• commitment to developing your cultural capability and capacity in te ao Māori
• a tertiary qualification, certification or experience in finance or economics is desirable.

Most importantly, you will be passionate about looking for new and innovative ways of achieving environmental outcomes.  

Whānuitanga Utu ā-Tau | Salary range  

Salary range for this role is $140,222 to $170,467 pa.  Appointment within this range will be based on skills and experience.  

Ngā hua ka puta i te mahi ki MfE | Benefits of working at MfE  

• a flexible approach to embrace a healthy work-life blend 
• agile ways of working, allowing you variety and challenges across the organisation as we work as ‘One MfE' 
• active employee networks including Māori Rōpū, Asian Network, Neurodivergent and Disability Networks, Women's Network, Tagata Moana (Pacific Peoples' Network), and Rainbow Network 
• opportunities for development and education.           

Check out other benefits of joining us and hear what our people say about Working at MfE | Ministry for the Environment.  

Tono ināianei | Apply now  

Apply directly by completing the online application form and submit your CV and cover letter.  Note: your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the key skills required for this role.     

If you require further information about this position please contact kate.whitwell@mfe.govt.nz.  The position description is available via our careers centre www.mfe.govt.nz/jobs.  

The location for this role is flexible which means you can work anywhere in New Zealand and there is an option to work from home.  As a flexible friendly employer, we are happy to discuss solutions that may work for you and the business.  We value and care about enabling our people to work in a way that means they can work at their best.   

We are committed to providing equal opportunities and actively strive to be a diverse organisation with an inclusive culture.  We actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply.  We are proud to be a Rainbow Tick and Gender Tick certified organisation and are committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for everyone.   

We want to ensure any accessibility needs you may have are well supported, so the recruitment process is fair and equitable for all.  Therefore, please let us know if there are any adjustments or support we can offer to make the recruitment process more accessible to you.  Please contact us at vacancy@mfe.govt.nz if you would like to discuss any accessibility needs you may have.  

You must have the right to live and work in New Zealand to apply for this role.  

Rā Katinga | Applications close:  Sunday 16th February 2025