Policy Analyst - Social Impact Policy Team

About us

The Ministry of Social Development is a people-centred organisation. We’re in communities across the motu, working with partners to help New Zealanders be safe, strong and independent.

We provide social policy and advice to government and assistance, including income, employment and housing support to people of all ages, families, whānau and communities.

As a Te Tiriti o Waitangi partner we are committed to supporting and enabling Māori, whānau, hapū, Iwi and communities to realise their own potential and aspirations.

Our people are as diverse as the communities we serve. We care about the wellbeing and success of our people and provide a supportive and inclusive working environment where people can thrive and be who they are.

Policy Analyst - Social Impact Policy Team

Permanent Role

A fixed-term or secondment opportunity may also be available

Wellington Based

Are you passionate about supporting and influencing social change for families, whanau, and individuals across Aotearoa New Zealand?

Mō te tūnga / About the role

We are seeking a motivated and inquiring Policy Analyst to join our Social Impact Policy Team at the Ministry of Social Development (MSD). We will provide you with a range of diverse experiences, from being involved in supporting short-term tangible change through to influencing longer-term strategic work. You will work both across MSD and with a range of agencies and stakeholders.

Social development is not just about being the ‘ambulance at the bottom of the cliff’, but is about supporting long-term change that strengthens wellbeing and enhances the mana of all New Zealanders.

The Social Impact Policy team provides meaningful policy advice to Government Ministers on a range of critical social policy issues including:

• the Government’s response to the care safety recommendations in the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care

• safety in the delivery of social services across the motu

• legislative changes to Social Workers Registration Act and workforce issues facing the social work sector

• eliminating Family Violence and Sexual Violence; and

• strengthening social cohesion across Aotearoa New Zealand.

We work closely with a range of stakeholders including our Māori, Communities and Partnerships team within MSD and other government departments including the Social Workers Registration Board, Ministry of Ethnic Communities, Oranga Tamariki, Te Puna Aonui and many others. We also have close relationships with a range of community partners and stakeholders.

Social Impact Policy is part of the Regional, Social and Inquiries Policy Group, within MSD’s Policy Branch.

Mōu – Ngā Pūkenga me ngā Wheako / Skills and experience

The core parts of the role will include:

• providing or contributing to advice that is clear, well-reasoned and politically neutral

• bringing together evidence to draw conclusions (e.g. on key issues and their root causes)

• engaging with stakeholders and the community

• working collaboratively on projects both within and across agencies

We are keen to hear from those with previous Policy, or other related experience, who are interested in being involved in this important mahi.

The qualities we value in a candidate include:

• Strong analytical skills

• Clear communication skills

• Collaborative working style

• Perseverance

• Understanding of te Ao Māori and commitment to upholding Te Tiriti Waitangi

• A working knowledge of social sector commissioning processes would be an advantage.

Te mahi ki konei / Working here

The Ministry of Social Development is a people-centred organisation. We’re in communities across the motu, working with partners to help New Zealanders be safe, strong and independent. We develop social policy and provide advice to government and work with and help fund providers in the community. We also deliver social services and assistance, including income, employment and housing support, to people of all ages, families, whānau and communities.

As a Te Tiriti o Waitangi partner we work towards supporting and enabling Māori, whānau, hapū, Iwi and communities to realise their own potential and aspirations. We aim to acknowledge and be guided by Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and to pursue the following values in our work:

Manaaki – We care about the wellbeing and success of people

Mahi tahi – We work together, making a difference for communities

Whānau – We are inclusive and build a sense of belonging and place

Tika me te pono – We do the right thing with integrity

This team is part of a busy Policy Branch. The branch has a supportive team environment where people are focused on delivering high quality policy advice. We work hard to ensure policy settings reflect the diverse needs and wellbeing of New Zealanders while maintaining a strong focus on staff wellbeing and personal work/life balance. We pride ourselves on investing in and supporting staff to reach their full potential.

Tā mātou e tuku ana / What we offer

It is important to us to:

prioritise your wellbeing and development

provide a flexible working environment where you can learn from a supportive and collegial team of experienced policy professionals

develop your career though the opportunities that come from a broad and varied work programme and our commitment to your ongoing professional development

collaborate and support each other and we make sure everyone has the chance to develop and to take on new challenges

value diversity of thinking and background – this informs the creation of responsive policy that reflects the communities we serve.

MSD has several employee-led networks that build a sense of community for our people so that they can contribute, belong and thrive. Our employee-led networks include, but are not limited to:

National Office Māori Staff Network - Te Tini ō te Raurearea

Pasefika Helava

Disablednetwork@MSD

Proud@MSD

Women’s Network

Pan Asian Network.

MSD is a CareWise employer. We commit to showing manaaki to people in our MSD whānau with caring commitments.

Position Description

Policy Analyst Position Description

Salary range: $78,222.00 - $94,689.00

How to apply

To apply, click the 'Apply Now' button to upload your CV, cover letter and complete the online application form.

Note: Your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the key responsibilities listed in the position description.

All applications must be made online. If this is not possible or if you have any queries, please contact us at

Internal MSD Employees – please apply through your myHR portal at work. This will ensure that your myHR employee profile is visible as internal candidate.

Closing date: Wednesday 28th May, 2025.

Joining us

Joining MSD means being part of a whānau that celebrates the diversity each individual represents. We show manaaki, we care about the wellbeing and success of people and want everyone to thrive, and be who they are in a supportive and inclusive working environment. We work together to make a difference for communities while doing the right thing with integrity. We are a Treaty partner committed to strengthening relationships with Māori, Hapū, Iwi and communities to realise their own potential and aspirations.

If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to tell us when you apply so we can assist you through the recruitment process.

MSD has a COVID-19 vaccination policy that encourages, but does not require, employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and its variants, unless the role is identified as requiring vaccination at the time.