Senior Policy Analysts - Climate Change

The Ministry for the Environment is the government’s primary policy adviser on the environment and its relationship to New Zealand’s economy.  While appointment to Senior Policy Analyst positions within the Ministry provide for placement across a range of teams, current vacancies exist in the Climate Change directorate, where you can contribute to shaping climate change policy and help New Zealand meet its international climate change commitments.

What you'll be doing

These roles require a person with strong policy development skills that can be applied to a range of issues, and who will enjoy working within a team of highly talented, motivated and experienced climate change policy practitioners.  You will help the Directorate deliver on key policy work areas.  The climate change directorate develops the policy response to climate change in New Zealand including:

• domestic policies to give effect to the new climate change agreement and emissions reduction target, including a review of the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (NZ ETS)

• development and negotiation of New Zealand’s access to international carbon markets

In the future, you may be rotated into other roles within the Ministry’s policy function to work on interesting priority issues.

As the successful candidate you will have a minimum of five years in a policy role, preferably within central government, and will be able to demonstrate:

• in-depth experience of developing complex policy from a first principles approach or thinking outside of existing frameworks, and as such will be comfortable working with ambiguity

• working with a range of policy development frameworks - you may have even developed some

• excellent analytical skills, and strong written and oral communication skills

• ability to think strategically

• an understanding of the machinery of Government and the policy development process

• well developed interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively within a team

• the ability to work across agencies and develop and maintain relationships and with external stakeholders

• applying project management principles to policy projects

• significant drive to continually grow and develop professionally

• the ability to play a significant role in building capability of others through coaching and mentoring less experienced team members.

You are also likely to have an academic qualification in economics, policy, social science, or law. 

Experience in climate change policy, regulatory markets and/or international negotiations would be an advantage.

The Ministry sets high value on the quality of its relationships with Maori and the advice we provide on Treaty of Waitangi issues and is keen to meet with applicants who have experience with Treaty of Waitangi issues and their application to development of new policy approaches. 

We are a Ministry that invests in the development of its people.  Policy analysis is a craft best learned by working alongside other senior analysts.  Your career will develop through coaching and on-the-job learning in accordance with the Ministry’s commitment to learning and development.

An understanding of New Zealand’s resource management system would be welcome, but is not required.  Experience working with or in the private sector would also be welcome. 

Further information

The generic Senior Policy Analyst position description is attached for your information.

Salary range: $83,300 to $112,700
Appointment within this range will be based on skills and experience.

If you require further information about this role, please contact Matt Paterson on (04) 439 7671 or by email: matt.paterson@mfe.govt.nz 

How to apply

Click on the Apply Online button below to complete the questionnaire and submit along with your resume and cover letter outlining your interest in the role.

If you require further information on the application process, please contact Marilyn Moran on (04) 439 7484.