Position Title: Senior Advisers / Adviser
Team and Group: Investment, Investment and Monitoring group
Position Type: Permanent, Full Time (38 hours per week)
Location: Wellington CBD office (currently located on Queens Wharf)
Salary: Senior Adviser $108,126 - $143,618 + KiwiSaver
Adviser $69,507 + KiwiSaver
We are looking for enthusiastic, autonomous, and high-performing policy professionals to join the Investment Team at the Ministry of Transport. This is an excellent opportunity to advise the Minister of Transport on the direction and performance of the transport investment system and the type of investments needed to support the delivery of transport priorities.
About the opportunity | Nga whakamarama mo te tunga
The Investment team works across the sector to influence how funding is invested, providing advise and maintaining oversight around the direction and performance of the transport system investment system. The role can be wide, ranging from leading the development of the annual transport budget, developing and managing the Government Policy Statement (GPS) on land Transport, or providing advice on specific transport projects and investments.
You'll utilise your previous experience in leading and steering projects, problem-solving complex policy issues, and assessing options, be able to the information on an issue, analyse its facets, and decide on a direction. You will be comfortable working in a numeric environment and have had knowledge/ exposure to assessment techniques such as cost/ benefit analysis.
This is a great opportunity to broaden your policy or investment experience and play a significant role in cross-agency priority initiatives and deliver investment & strategic advice to key decision makers.
We are seeking two Senior Policy Advisers and an Adviser. As a professional in the Investment team you'll work on projects that have a real impact on the lives of New Zealanders and speak to your work at Ministers' meetings and Select Committees.
Key responsibilities for our adviser may include:
- Develop and maintain a good understanding of the principles and practices relating to transport policy and investment
- Prepare policy and/ or investment advice on transport issues including Cabinet papers and briefs for the relevant Ministers, and comment on papers prepared by other agencies
- Conduct research relevant to transport
- Prepare or contribute to ministerial speeches, media statements and responses to parliamentary questions, and draft replies to ministerial and department correspondence
- Identify and analyse issues and trends, opportunities and problems relating to transport
- Develop policy and investment advice, as far as possible, from conceptual stage through to Cabinet decision and legislation and implementation
- Support the passage of new legislation and its introduction in association with the Legal team
Key responsibilities for our seniors may include:
- Leading and / or supporting the development, implementation, and management of the Government Policy Statement on land transport (GPS). This is a high-profile programme of work that guides over $20 billion+ of investment into the transport system.
- Leading and / or supporting the development, implementation, and management of the Vote Transport Budget process. Equally high profile, this process considers the value of approximately $6-7 billion of investment per annum into the transport system, including opportunities to deliver savings and / or reprioritise funding towards higher value uses.
- Leading and / or supporting advice on specific investment projects and programmes. This may include the assessment of business cases (particularly for major capital projects such as the Roads of National Significance), budget bids, briefings and Cabinet papers relevant to the particular projects or programmes.
- Providing authoritative guidance and advice to stakeholders and the sector in the area of investment advice and support.
- Delivering the Ministry's approach to business case development, appraisal and assessment.
- Modelling exemplary leadership across Te Manatu Waka aligned to Te Manatu Waka's vision, values and purpose.
What you'll bring | Te wahi ki a koe
As an adviser (band 14) you will bring:
- Understands the importance of, and has some experience in, building and maintaining effective working relationships.
- Numerical ability - understands financial analytical concepts.
- Writing skills - ability to communicate effectively to diverse audiences.
- Analytical skills - awareness of analytical frameworks, including non-financial concepts.
- A relevant tertiary qualification (this could be a qualification in economics, law, finance, mathematics, sciences)
As a senior adviser you will demonstrate strong experience and successful capability in:
- Policy, investment and / or economic analysis and how this relates to benefit cost analysis and decision making, as well as other frameworks to evaluate the value-for-money of proposed projects and programmes;
- Policy development and analysis in the public sector, with a solid understanding of government policy-making procedures, and good political nous;
- End-to-end delivery of large policy projects / programmes, while working under pressure and managing tight timelines;
- Machinery of government, including understanding regulatory frameworks, interpreting legislation, and knowledge about associated government institutions;
- Successfully building and maintaining effective working relationships at all levels, internally and externally, including influencing others to achieve outcomes;
- Numerical analysis including a reasonable understanding of economic, fiscal and statistical concepts;
- Successful communication and influencing skills, including using a range of oral, written and visual mediums to communicate effectively to diverse audiences and situations;
- Written advice, where you nail the pitch, tone, clarity and conciseness every time;
- Analytical and critical thinking skills, including successfully applying problem-solving skills to draw sound conclusions and provide appropriate advice or decisions; and
- Effectively building the capability of others, including the provision of guidance, coaching, and on-the-job training to less experienced people.
Salary range | Whanuitanga Utu a-Tau
The base salary range for the senior adviser is $108,126 - $143,618 (mid-point $119,126)
The base salary for the adviser is $69,705.
The salary offered will reflect the skills and experience you bring.
What we offer | Te wahi ki a matou
These roles provide a lot of scope to be creative in how we address transport challenges. Your input will lead to outcomes that touch the daily lives of almost every New Zealander in some way.
You'll be joining a small and agile Ministry and will be part of a collaborative team and a Ministry with strong values (Integrity, Excellence and Collaboration) as well as a culture where progression and development is encouraged and celebrated.
You'll enjoy working with talented professionals in a high-performing work environment motivated to achieve success, along with a range of employee benefits including additional Ministry leave days and health and well being benefits and a welcoming range of employee networks.
Join us and be a part of our passionate team, shaping the future of transportation in New Zealand!
About the Ministry of Transport | He kupu mo matou Te Manatu Waka
The Ministry of Transport is an impartial, expert and trusted adviser to government, shaping transport for New Zealand. We work to deliver a well-functioning transport system that helps grow New Zealand's economy and productivity. The Ministry's values are integrity, excellence, and collaboration.
How to apply | Me pehea te tono ma
To view the job descriptions on our careers page, or to apply online, click Apply. Please include a CV and cover letter highlighting your relevant skills and experience.
To apply for this role, you must have right to live and work in New Zealand. You will need to be based in Wellington or ready to relocate.
Applications close midnight, Sunday 10 August 2025.
For further information or to speak confidentially, please contact Kitty McCool, Recruitment Adviser at [email protected]
We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds, orientations, and identities. We aim to have a Ministry that represents the wider Aotearoa that we serve. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels relevant, valued, supported and a sense of belonging.
For any support or accessibility needs during our recruitment process, please contact us at [email protected].
Please note, we are not engaging with recruitment agencies to fill this vacancy and unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies will not be accepted.
