Principal Policy Adviser roles – Strategy, Rail and Environment (Wellington)
Three roles with impactful & important work leading & shaping key projects
Permanent, Full Time Opportunity | Small, friendly agency
Wellington CBD based | 2 flexible wfh days per week | Full wfh equipment
About Ministry of Transport
The Ministry of Transport is the system leader for the transport sector, whether it’s on land, at sea, or in the air. We are the government’s adviser on transport policy, regulation and investment and play a crucial role in ensuring the transport system is working to improve the prosperity of New Zealanders.
At the Ministry of Transport, we pride ourselves on being a small, agile, and friendly Ministry, which maintains a work culture based on our values – Bold, Invested and Collaborative. Our modern office at the waterfront further enhances the Ministry’s working environment.
About the opportunity
We are looking for three experienced and knowledgeable individuals to join our Wellington Strategy, Rail and Environment teams as a Principal Adviser. You will work closely with the team manager to lead and shape a variety of key projects.
Across these roles your key responsibilities will include:
Partnering with the manager to drive the team’s work programme and contributing to the development and implementation of the team’s strategy.
Applying economic principles and frameworks in your advice and examining tradeoffs, efficiency and value for money.
Providing policy advice and leading key projects and project teams in risky, complex, ambiguous, or sensitive policy areas.
Taking a leadership role in cross-Ministry and cross-government policy issues and negotiations.
Coaching and mentoring staff to enhance team performance and capability.
Establishing and developing strong relationships across other transport sector agencies and the wider government sector.
Strategy
The Ministry’s Strategy Team is responsible for leading the Ministry’s strategic policy priorities and supports the delivery of strategic projects through other teams. The team is producing the Ministry’s Long-Term Insights Briefing and delivering organisational priorities such as the Ministry’s legislative programme. In this role you will support the Manager to deliver high priority projects, influence across teams, and supervise and coach more junior staff.
Environment
The Ministry’s Environment Team is responsible for climate change policy. The team’s work includes an aviation and maritime decarbonisation work programme. In this role you will support the Manager to deliver the team’s work programme (particularly the current aviation and maritime decarbonisation work programme) and supervise and support more junior staff. The role may also include negotiating, on behalf of New Zealand, on decarbonisation measures proposed at meetings of the International Civil Aviation Organization and the International Maritime Organization.
Rail
We are looking for a seasoned Principal Policy Adviser to join our small Rail team. In this varied and busy role, you will be responsible for managing a programme of work focussed on the rail freight network and cross-cutting land transport issues in the short term. You will be responsible for delivery work at a fast pace, including the delivering work through other team members, while harnessing the expertise of internal and external stakeholders.
What you’ll bring
You will bring extensive strategic policy development experience from multiple central government organisations, and:
A deep understanding of the policy process, including machinery of government knowledge that ideally includes transport regulatory frameworks, associated government institutions, and the wider transport sector.
A reputation for delivery and meeting deadlines with demonstrated experience in a policy leadership role.
Experience in leading and coaching staff.
Exceptional written and analytical ability.
A strong grasp of economic principles and public policy development, ideally with experience undertaking technical economic and financial analysis.
Demonstrated experience working with and supporting senior decision-makers, including Ministers, to deliver outcomes.
A strong ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships at all levels, internally and externally - gaining trust quickly and navigating difficulties swiftly.
A tertiary qualification in a relevant field (such as statistics, economics, or public policy).
For the role of Principal Adviser, Environment, experience in aviation or maritime transport policy, and international negotiations is preferred, but not required.
Salary range
The budgeted salary range for this role is $127,142 – $168,973 + KiwiSaver. The salary offered will be based on skills and experience.
What we offer
Supportive and flexible work environment, individual development plans
Additional Ministry leave days
A range of health and wellbeing benefits
Laptop, mobile and WFH equipment
Offices discreetly located right on the wharf with collaborative working spaces, showers, storage for bicycles/scooters and personal lockers
A welcoming employee network such as the Māori and Pasifika, Wāhine, and Rainbow networks and PSA.
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 applications@transport.govt.nz
How to apply
To view the job description or apply online including a cover letter and CV click Apply.
Applications close midnight, Thursday 8 August.
For further information or to speak confidentially, please contact Recruitment Adviser Kitty McCool at k.mccool@transport.govt.nz
You must have the right to live and work in Aotearoa to apply for this role.
Please note, these positions are based at our Wellington office.
Please note unsolicited CVs from recruitment agencies will not be accepted.
