Senior Adviser - Financial Inclusion at Reserve Bank of New Zealand, Wellington

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand | Te Pūtea Matua is New Zealand's central bank.

Its purpose is enabling economic prosperity and well-being for all New Zealanders | Toitū te Ōhanga.

The Reserve Bank is preparing to implement new legislation that will promote the prosperity and well-being of New Zealanders. This legislation will contribute to a productive and sustainable economy by protecting and promoting the stability of the financial system.

This is an exciting time as Te Pūtea Matua continues to transform, setting up to meet an evolving mandate and purpose. This role sits within an ongoing multi-year project programme with a range of newly-created roles that will enable Te Pūtea Matua to prepare for the Deposit Takers Act 2023 (DTA or the Act) that's been passed by Parliament on 29 June 2023.


Te tūranga - The role

We are looking for a Senior Adviser to work across the Sustainability and Financial Inclusion directorate and Financial Stability Group. This is an opportunity to work on a major piece of policy work that will set in place rules and standards for financial institutions. You will play a critical part in the development and implementation of the financial inclusion strategy and work closely with the Prudential Policy Directorate. You will be focused on how our regulatory powers under the DTA can consider and contribute to financial inclusion. The DTA modernises our regulatory framework to help ensure the safety and soundness of deposit takers and financial inclusion elements have also been reflected in a Purpose and Principle of the DTA. This is in line with our mandate to promote the prosperity and wellbeing of New Zealanders.

In this role you will:

• Provide expert policy analysis, research and advice to support the development and refinement of policy, regulation, and legislation under the DTA.
  
• Develop RBNZ's capacity and capability to understand and integrate financial inclusion considerations in its decision-making framework under the DTA to help support key decision making bodies and deliver results.
  
• Work collaboratively with regulatory staff within the DTA project team, the Sustainability and financial Inclusion team and others to ensure work is robust and well socialised as in input to DTA work programme.
  
• Review international literature/country experiences with developing and embedding financial inclusion within policy and regulatory settings.
  
• Identify key financial inclusion issues, such as trends in access to bank accounts and capital, so that Te Pūtea Matua can make informed responses in policy decisions and regulatory settings.
  
• Engage with internal and external stakeholders to implement the strategic direction.

This is a 2 year fixed term position. We encourage early applications and will be reviewing these as they come in. Due to the requirement of this position, and the pace in which the programme is moving, we expect to shortlist prior to the role closing.


Ō pūkenga - About you

You're enthusiastic and passionate about contributing to New Zealand's economic wellbeing. You enjoy working collaboratively with your colleagues and stakeholders in a fast-paced environment to formulate the best outcomes.

You will also bring:

• Highly capable strategic thinking skills and proven success in supporting an organisation to develop and deliver strategies and initiatives for business improvement and/or community based/public sector projects.
• Experience supporting the development and refinement of policy, regulation, and/or legislation.
  
• A strong understanding of the financial inclusion landscape including options to analyse issues and the key policy and regulatory options/initiatives to address these issues within the mandate of central banks and prudential regulators.
  
• Experience working in a project-based environment and success in the implementation and delivery of project business cases.
  
• Excellent systems thinking skills to explore the intended and unintended consequences of policy development with a financial inclusion lens.
  
• Knowledge of prudential requirements and regulatory change initiatives impacting the financial sector is desirable.
  
• At least five years of experience in a senior or policy advisor role, or within a business enterprise role, preferably within financial services.
  
• Central banking, and/or financial sector/economic development experience is highly desirable.

Ngā painga - What we offer

We have a broad range of responsibilities and great opportunities to match people across all stages of careers. We encourage an inclusive and positive workplace culture. We support flexible working and work-life balance. Our benefits include additional leave options, a wellness package, working from home equipment subsidy, generous parental leave provisions, learning and development opportunities, and access to numerous social, networking and sporting activities.

It's a great time to join us. We're growing and evolving. We're reaching for new heights. Add your voice to impact change to improve lives and livelihoods. We're protecting our future. For future generations. That's fulfilling.

Ko wai matou - Who we are

We're kaitiaki (guardians) of New Zealand's financial ecosystem - enabling economic wellbeing and prosperity for all New Zealanders. We do all we can to support, a sustainable, productive and efficient economy built on integrity, innovation and inclusion. We're building diversity and inclusion into everything we do. Our differences seed our innovation and help us deliver our best work - reflective of the needs of society. We welcome and value knowledge of Te Ao Māori, Te Tiriti and Tikanga.

So come join us if you're wanting that something more

Bring your talent, curiosity and expertise and we'll help you do the rest. You'll be part of one of the world's most trusted and respected central banks. We'll invest in you. And with you, we're investing in New Zealand.

We are New Zealand's central bank. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand - Te Pūtea Matua.

We're unreservedly for New Zealand. But we're not reserved.

To find out more please review the position description for the Senior Adviser, Financial Inclusion.

For role enquiries, contact Steven Bruce, Manager - Strategy and Insights on steven.bruce@rbnz.govt.nz

For specific queries regarding the recruitment process, contact Gareth Barker, Senior Recruitment Adviser on gareth.barker@rbnz.govt.nz.

If this has helped you imagine a brighter future, apply online by Wednesday 29th November 2023.

Kōrero tāpiri - Additional information

If you encounter accessibility barriers in the application process or if you have access needs and require support or adjustments to participate equitably in the recruitment process, please email recruitment@rbnz.govt.nz.