Local recruitment: Policy Analyst (Freshwater Rights and Interests)

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Oppotrunity to work at the forefront of Māori/Crown relationships on freshwater
• Permanent full-time role within our Freshwater Rights and Interests team
• Flexible by default: option to be based anywhere around Aotearoa New Zealand

As leaders of Aotearoa New Zealand’s environmental system, we ensure tāngata whenua are able to influence and lead the recovery of Aotearoa New Zealand’s environmental wellbeing.

Within our Māori Partnering and Policy Directorate in the Policy Implementation and Delivery group the Freshwater Rights and Interests team lead the mahi to identify and address the rights, interests and obligations that iwi, hapū and Māori have in freshwater. We advise the government on how to achieve efficient and fair allocation of freshwater takes and discharges, having regard to all interests including Māori, existing users and potential new users.

Mō te tūnga | About the role

As an Kaitātari Kaupapa Here / Policy Analyst within our specialist team, you will work collaboratively to support your senior colleagues and be part of developing and implementing policy on freshwater, through engagement with Māori, iwi and hapū. 

This is a unique opportunity to gain exposure to and be part of advancing Māori rights and interests around freshwater through effective engagement and partnership. You will contribute to high-quality research, analysis, and problem-solving; and apply your communication skills to writing Ministerial briefings and other advice to key stakeholders. You will also contribute to strategic conversations on issues spanning the environment, te Tiriti o Waitangi, Crown litigation and Māori rights and interests to develop effective policy that will achieve long-term change.

This is challenging, varied and fast paced work.  It’s an opportunity to work on an exciting policy area!

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

If you feel motivated by this kaupapa and want to contribute to strengthening our Tiriti partnerships for the betterment of te Taiao then we want to hear from you. The panel will look for evidence within your application as to how you meet the following key requirements:

• Commitment to develop your cultural capability and capacity in te ao Māori
• Knowledge and understanding of the role of te Tiriti o Waitangi in policy development
• Ability to use a range of analytical frameworks and draw on a range of inputs and evidence to problem-solve
• Experience and/or a willingness to work effectively with Māori and iwi
• Ability to communicate clearly and succinctly in a variety of communication settings and styles, both written and verbal
• Ability to set priorities and to achieve deadlines and project and programme outputs
• Likely to have an academic qualification in economics, environmental science, social science, policy, or law.

Whānuitanga Utu ā-Tau | Salary range

Salary range for this role is from $77,280 to $93,565 pa. Appointment within this range will be based on skills and experience.

Ngā hua ka puta i te mahi ki MfE | Benefits of working at MfE

• a flexible by default approach to create a healthy work-life blend
• agile ways of working, allowing you variety and challenges across the organisation as we work as ‘One MfE’
• generous leave entitlements
• active employee networks including Māori Rōpū, Asian Network, Neurodivergent and Disability Networks, Women’s Network, Tagata Moana (Pacific Peoples’ Network), and Rainbow Network
• opportunities for development and education.          

Check out other benefits of joining us and hear what our people say about Working at MfE | Ministry for the Environment.

Mō mātou | About us  

The Ministry’s purpose is He taiao tōnui mō ngā reanga katoa – a flourishing environment for every generation.  

A key priority for the Ministry is building Te Ao Māori capability.  This means we work with our Treaty partners to advance Māori priorities for the environment and for environmental success.  We will be confident and coordinated in our ongoing engagement with Māori and lead the natural resources system in engaging for success with tangata whenua.  We will grow our capability and capacity to accurately reflect Māori views in our work.  We accurately reflect Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Te Ao Māori into our everyday work, by delivering on Te Ao Hurihuri, our Māori capability strategy.

Tono ināianei | Apply now

Apply directly by completing the online application form and submit your CV and cover letter.  Note: your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the key skills required for this role.   

If you require further information about this position please contact courtney.clyne@mfe.govt.nz. To access the position description, please go to www.mfe.govt.nz/jobs and click through to view the advertisement and position description.

The location for this role is flexible which means you can work anywhere in New Zealand and there is an option to work from home.  As a flexible friendly employer, we are happy to discuss solutions that may work for you and the business.  We value and care about enabling our people to work in a way that means they can work at their best. 

We are committed to providing equal opportunities and actively strive to be a diverse organisation with an inclusive culture.  We actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply.  We are proud to be a Rainbow Tick and Gender Tick certified organisation and are committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. 

We want to ensure any accessibility needs you may have are well supported, so the recruitment process is fair and equitable for all.  Therefore, please let us know if there are any adjustments or support we can offer to make the recruitment process more accessible to you.  Please contact us at vacancy@mfe.govt.nz if you would like to discuss any accessibility needs you may have.

You must have the right to live and work in Aotearoa New Zealand to apply for this role.

Rā Katinga | Applications close: end of Sunday 7 May 2023.

Ngā taipitopito tūranga mahi | Job details