Local recruitment: Senior Policy Analysts (Freshwater Rights and Interests)

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Calling for senior policy professionals with strong engagement expertise
• Influence at the forefront of Māori/Crown relationships on freshwater
• Two full-time fixed-term/secondment 12 month opportunities (part-time/job-sharing options available)
• Flexible by default: option to work from anywhere in Aotearoa NZ

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 Policy Implementation and Delivery (PID) rōpū, 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  

We have two opportunities for innovative and relationship-focused Kaitātari Kaupapa Here Matua / Senior Policy Analysts to advise and influence at the forefront of Crown/Māori relations and advance the development and implementation of freshwater policy. 

You will work closely with colleagues and teams across the Ministry’s RM Reform work programmes, as well as manage a strong outward facing focus. Being at the forefront of Māori-Crown relationships, your ability to collaborate and network across government agencies, and specifically lead engagement with Treaty partners, is a core focus of the role.

The nature of our working environment is fast-paced and sometimes ambiguous, so your flexibility and adaptability to navigate multiple priorities is critical, as you lead and coordinate policy projects. You will balance Ministerial directions and requests for briefings and certainty in a time of immense change for Aotearoa. Above all, you will bring a collaborative nature to the team and a willingness to manaaki, coach and offer guidance to more junior members of the team.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience  

Are you inspired by the opportunity to influence the development and implementation of freshwater policy for Aotearoa? Our ideal candidates will bring the following: 

• Policy development and implementation experience, preferably at a senior level; AND/OR
• Experience advancing Māori perspectives through problem solving or policy development;
• Exceptional writing skills with experience of briefing Ministers and/or senior leaders;
• Relationship management experience with proven success and credibility in creating lasting relationships with multiple stakeholder groups;
• Expertise in Mātauranga Māori as it applies to biophysical domains (freshwater, land and marine, Climate Change).
• Strong political nous – with a sound understanding of the role of the public service

Having knowledge or experience in the establishment of Ministerial advisory boards or board member appointments would also be desirable.

We encourage you to apply ASAP as we may progress shortlisted candidates to interview ahead of the close date.

Whānuitanga Utu ā-Tau | Salary range

Salary range for this role is from $105,802 to $128,424 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.

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 21 May 2023.

We encourage you to apply ASAP as we may progress shortlisted candidates to interview ahead of the close date.

Ngā taipitopito tūranga mahi | Job details