Senior Policy Advisor at Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Wellington

• Actively develop and influence policy advice shaping the future of New Zealand’s science, innovation and technology system. 
• Be part of a dynamic and collaborative branch at the interface of science and business.
• Engage with diverse and engaging stakeholders, working on interesting policy that helps them to turn their ideas to reality.
• 2 x permanent full-time roles in Wellington CBD. 
• Salary: $110K - $138K - KiwiSaver and Wellness Benefits.

We are looking for two Senior Policy Advisors to join the Innovation Policy Team. You will be part of a team that is passionate about enabling world class scientists and researchers, innovative businesses and entrepreneurs to turn their groundbreaking ideas into commercial success with positive impacts to New Zealand.
 

The Innovation Policy team provides advice on policies related to: 

• Business research and development, including the Research and Development Tax Incentive. 
• Grants and other financial support initiatives to lift innovation and commercialization (e.g. Technology Incubator Programme). 
• Institutional arrangements to deliver innovation support.
• Gaps and opportunities to strengthen New Zealand’s innovation ecosystem. 

As a Senior Policy Advisor, you will play a key role shaping and delivering high-quality policy advice, reporting to the Manager, Innovation Policy. You will bring your proven policy, relationship and delivery skills to help us deliver with and for our partners and stakeholders.  You will be part of the Technology and Innovation Branch, together providing advice and implementing initiatives aimed at enabling growth of new businesses and emerging sectors that will shape New Zealand’s future economic performance. You will work closely with science policy, science investments, and economic development teams, as well as engaging with our delivery partners, businesses, investors, and universities among others. 
 

Skills and Experience Required
 

In this role you will bring your policy, relationship and delivery skills to support our work with and for key partners, while being supported to further develop your skills and experience. 

Experience in science, innovation or economic development would be valuable, but not essential. Most important is the ability to think analytically and strategically through issues, and to engage effectively with a range of stakeholders to influence outcomes. 
 

We are keen to hear from you if you:

• Are a strong critical thinker and problem solver.
• Can effectively lead and deliver complex projects and provide robust advice.
• Develop credible, respected relationships and engage with diverse stakeholders (including Ministers, staff in partner agencies, industry partners, and other key external stakeholders).
• Communicate complex issues clearly and coherently. 
• Have provided and want to further develop coaching and mentoring support to others.
• Have an understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles and application of these in public policy and in partnership with Māori.
• Have a positive, ‘can-do’ attitude and be flexible and adaptive to changes in requirements.
• Have the legal right to live and work in NZ.

MBIE's goal is to create a resilient and high-performing economy that delivers real and ongoing quality of life for all New Zealanders.

We do this by working with others to create an environment that supports businesses to be more productive and internationally competitive, enables all New Zealanders to participate in the economy through improved job opportunities and by working to ensure quality housing is more affordable.

People are at the heart of our mahi, our way of working is guided by our values which shape our behaviours.

• Mahi Tahi – Better Together
• Māia – Bold and brave
• Pae Kahurangi – Build our Future
• Pono Me Te Tika – Own It

Our aspirations are echoed in our Māori identity – Hīkina Whakatutuki – which broadly means ‘lifting to make successful'.

MBIE recognises the partnership founded under Te Tiriti o Waitangi between Māori and the Crown and is committed to giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We will do this through enduring, meaningful and effective partnerships with iwi, Māori, other Māori groups/organisations and the Crown, as this is critical to enable economic and social development, both for Māori and for wider Aotearoa New Zealand. We are committed to continuing to partner with iwi in order to find new sustainable solutions to address long standing systemic and cross-cutting issues facing Māori and wider Aotearoa New Zealand and we are also committed to identifying opportunities for iwi to lead and creating an enabling environment for iwi to leverage these opportunities.

E mōhio ana a Hīkina Whakatutuki i puea ake te kōtuinga I waenganui i a ngāi Māori me te Karauna i Te Tiriti o Waitangi, ā, kei te whai ia ki te whakaū ake i Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Mā te whai kiko o ngā kōtuinga ahungaroa o ngāi wi, o ngāi Māori, me ētahi atu rōpū Māori ki te Karauna, katutuki tēnei. He āhuatanga nui tēnei e āhei ai ngā mahi whanaketanga ā-ohanga, ā-pāpori hoki ki a ngāi Māori me Aotearoa whānui. E whai tonu ana mātou ki te kōtui atu ki ngā iwi mō te rapu huarahi hou ki te whakaara i ngā kaupapakua roa nei e tāmi ana i a ngāi Māori me Aotearoa whānui, ā, e whai ana hoki ki te tautohu i ngā āheinga kōkiritanga mā ngā iwi, me te tautoko i ngā iwi kia whai mana ake ai ēnei āheinga.

Click here to view a position description. All applications must be submitted via our online process and include a Cover Letter and CV that are targeted to the job description and advert outlining your interest and suitability for the role. 

Email Jackie Johnson at Jackie.johnson@mbie.govt.nz quoting ref MBIE/17164 if you have any further questions.

Applications close on 28th April 2025 at 11.59pm.