Principal Policy Advisor

What we do
Economic Strategy Insights (ESI) is looking for an inquisitive and experienced Principal Policy Advisor to join our high-performing team. We are looking for someone who can develop economic advice by bringing high level policy, analytical and strategic thinking skills to bear on issues that determine New Zealand's economic performance.
Economic Strategy Insights is part of the Economic Growth branch in MBIE's Labour, Skills Enterprise group.

Why work for us?
It is an exciting time to be working in economic strategy. Our economy is likely to go through substantial change as we weather uncertainty in the global environment.
The team is in a unique position to develop new thinking and provide quality advice to Government on how to lift economic growth in the short term and to improve New Zealand's productivity over the longer-term.

The role
Working in the Economic Strategy Insights team, you will have the opportunity to:

• Build a strong understanding of New Zealand's economic system and shape MBIE's advice on the economy
• Push the boundaries of economic thinking and focus on New Zealand's long-term future
• Work within a multidisciplinary team with a diverse work programme
• Build strong links across the organisation and the economic system

Skills and Experience Required

To work in this role you'll need to be comfortable working in a fast paced environment, love an intellectual challenge and won't be afraid of ambiguity. We are looking for someone with:

• The capability to partner with the policy manager to drive the strategic policy agenda and set the direction in the team's policy domain
• Demonstrated ability to develop and lead, projects and work programmes, and utilises the capability of team members to deliver high quality project outputs
• Proven experience applying economic or strategic frameworks to a range of policy issues
• A proactive approach to problem solving who is comfortable in managing ambiguity successfully to identify a path forward
• Proven experience providing robust policy analysis, advice and intellectual leadership by bringing new ideas and knowledge to policy discussions and strategic conversations
• The ability to work with multiple complex ideas in parallel, see the big picture and apply strategic thinking to identify opportunities, linkages and gaps
• Excellent influencing, relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills- including the ability to work across MBIE and with partner agencies on economic issues
• Passion and ability to foster an open, collaborative environment that encourages quality, innovation, on-going learning and knowledge sharing
• A commitment to developing the capability and expertise of others through coaching and mentoring

Note: applicants for this role must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand.

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
• Maia - Bold and brave
• Pae Kahurangi - Build our Future
• Pono Me Te Tika - Own It

Our aspirations are echoed in our Maori identity - Hikina Whakatutuki - which broadly means `lifting to make successful'.

MBIE recognises the partnership founded under Te Tiriti o Waitangi between Maori 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, Maori, other Maori groups/organisations and the Crown, as this is critical to enable economic and social development, both for Maori 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 Maori 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 mohio ana a Hikina Whakatutuki i puea ake te kotuinga I waenganui i a ngai Maori me te Karauna i Te Tiriti o Waitangi, a, kei te whai ia ki te whakau ake i Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Ma te whai kiko o nga kotuinga ahungaroa o ngai wi, o ngai Maori, me etahi atu ropu Maori ki te Karauna, katutuki tenei. He ahuatanga nui tenei e ahei ai nga mahi whanaketanga a-ohanga, a-papori hoki ki a ngai Maori me Aotearoa whanui. E whai tonu ana matou ki te kotui atu ki nga iwi mo te rapu huarahi hou ki te whakaara i nga kaupapakua roa nei e tami ana i a ngai Maori me Aotearoa whanui, a, e whai ana hoki ki te tautohu i nga aheinga kokiritanga ma nga iwi, me te tautoko i nga iwi kia whai mana ake ai enei aheinga.

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

Email Fati Tagata at [email protected] quoting ref MBIE/17480 if you have any further questions.

Applications close on Sunday 22 June 2025.