Policy Analyst

Help shape the future of Education

We work to shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent outcomes

Our organisation is made up of talented and committed people around Aotearoa, from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. While we work in different groups and on different things, we all strive every day to make the biggest difference we can for our students in our education system.

About this role | Mō tēnei tūranga

Key role in understanding what drives non-attendance at school and developing interventions that respond. This is a coveted role working across the social and justice sectors. The work programme requires innovative thinking and pushing for change.

Salary range: $74,015 to $89,547 per annum + 3% kiwi saver.  The successful candidate will be appointed at a salary which reflects individual skills and experience.

For more details about the role, you can view the job description here.

About you | Mōhou ake

You will have knowledge of, and an interest in, both the machinery of government and how citizens interact with the social and justice sectors. You will have experience in understanding different sources of evidence and opinions and making sense of these for decision makers.

To be successful in this role, you will need to be comfortable collaborating. Our team works with a range of internal teams with diverse work programmes. We also work with colleagues across the social and justice sectors.

You will also offer:

• Qualifications from a relevant discipline, such as public policy, economics, or community development, or the equivalent professional experience
• The ability to think clearly through problems, with either transferable skills that bring you into policy or some experience in policy development
• The ability to juggle tasks, some immediate, while others generational in impact
• The ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.

We provide flexible working environments where everyone feels relevant, valued and supported. So, if working from home and/or having a flexible start and finish to the day will help with this, we can usually make it happen. We’d love to hear what this might look like for you, so feel free to outline this in your cover letter.

About our group and team | Mātau rōpū ake

The team, located within the Learner Success and te Tiriti Group, have a big and important job to do. We have the ability to make a real difference in children and young people’s lives. The Group is part of Te Pou Kaupapahere, the Ministry’s wider policy shop. Over time, you may also have the opportunity to work more broadly across the Māori, Pacific, Learning Support and Budget Policy Teams.

The team has 4 major pillars to its work that all contribute to addressing barriers to attendance at school. They are:

• Addressing material hardship for families by alleviating the costs associated with sending kids to school
• Ensuring a safe environment in early childhood settings and schools
• Creating education settings that drive best outcomes for children with a care status
• Building a system that supports attendance with roles for each part of the schooling sector.

This is a unique opportunity to be working on some of the Government’s priority policy areas. The parts you work on can be, in part, determined by you. Wherever you land, you can be sure that you will be collaborating daily with the other members in this team.

Are you ready to make a difference? | Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi?

If this opportunity interests you, please submit your cover letter and resume by using the ‘apply' button. In your cover letter we’d like to know about you, your values, or anything else you’d like to share. We’re keen to understand your motivations, strengths, transferable skills, and the diverse perspectives you will bring to the role.

For further information, please contact Anne O’Brien (Senior Policy Manager) at anne.obrien@education.govt.nz

Applications close Midnight – Sunday 8 June 2025.

We want our people to feel valued for their unique qualities and have a sense of belonging. If you require assistance or adjustments to fully participate in the recruitment process, please let us know.