Principal 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

• Fixed-term (April to December 2026), full-time based in Wellington
• Experience working on fast-paced, significant work at a principal level
• Experience working on early childhood education funding policy issues
• Ability to work under pressure across agencies and Crown partners
• Lead in this established and supportive group

If you are interested in shaping policy priorities for New Zealand’s education system, have a passion for ‘big picture’ analysis and advice and are looking for a role at the forefront of major system reform, then this role is for you.

We are looking for an experienced professional to take up a leadership role supporting the Ministry’s early learning work programme. The role sits within the ECE System Investment Policy team within the System, Connections and Early Learning Policy Group in the Ministry of Education. This is part of Te Pou Kaupapahere, the Ministry’s wider policy shop.

ECE System Investment Policy team

The team focuses on the funding system for early childhood services, to make a real difference to the lives of the youngest New Zealanders and their parents and whānau, helping support:

• children in their early years to enjoy a good life, learn and thrive in a safe environment
• parental choice and participation in the labour market and wider economy
• a complex market and diverse sector of private and community-based providers that employs tens of thousands of people throughout New Zealand.

We also work in a Treaty-based way with Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust and Ngā Puna Reo o Aotearoa to support and grow kaupapa Māori early learning.

This is a unique opportunity to provide strategic leadership supporting modernisation of the early learning funding and regulatory systems, working with colleagues from across the Ministry and other Government agencies, and with the ECE sector.

This role would suit someone who has had experience acting in a Principal Policy Analyst role at a minimum. It includes scope to mentor and lead others within a supportive and fun team environment. You will play a key role in supporting the senior policy manager and the ECE Funding Review Programme Lead to shape and deliver the team’s work programme. This includes identifying opportunities for high-impact proactive policy advice and building strong relationships with other parts of the Ministry.

You will be able to work flexibly across the varied work of the team, building and maintaining a breadth of understanding to be able to step in when needed. This includes overseeing projects within the team and helping to ensure the right balance of ownership and support for junior colleagues. In particular, you will be assisting the team with our work on the ECE Funding Review.

Salary range: $140,146- $170,196 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

We are looking for a committed and experienced Principal Policy Analyst with proven experience in education funding policy who will be able to hit the ground running and bring passion, energy and analytical ability.

 We’re keen to hear from you if you:

• have proven skills in and knowledge of policy and government processes and thrive in a fast-paced policy and Budget environment
• have excellent oral and written communication skills
• are a critical thinker and can bring innovative approaches to policy issues
• have proven ability to develop and lead evidence-based complex and sensitive policy projects and work programmes
• can build operational design and implementation considerations into policy
• bring influencing skills and have experience providing high quality advice to senior leadership teams, Ministerial Advisory Groups and/or Ministers
• can work autonomously, demonstrate self-motivation and remain calm, focussed and resilient under pressure
• have excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated a teamwork approach within the Ministry and across key government agencies
• are confident supporting the development of the team through mentoring, quality assurance and coaching (with experience mentoring others through Budget or other signification funding processes and work programmes)
• demonstrate knowledge of, or a willingness to gain an understanding of Te Ao Māori and promote tikanga and Te Reo Māori
• have knowledge of te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi) as it applies in the public sector
• You also bring proven skills in The ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.

About our group and team | Mātau rōpū ake

The ECE System Investment Policy Team is one of two ECE policy teams that sit within the Systems, Connections and Early Learning Policy Group. The Group also has the System Policy Team (which looks at policy issues that cut across the system as a whole from ECE through schooling into tertiary education), the Crown Entity Monitoring and Appointments Team (responsible for monitoring the education crown entities) and the International Cooperation and and Engagement Team (which manages New Zealand’s educational engagement with other countries and bodies such as the OECD and UNESCO).

The Group leads interesting and challenging work programmes aimed at strengthening education at a systems level (particularly early learning) to ensure that it is inclusive, responsive, delivers equitable outcomes for all learner groups and delivers on Government’s priorities. The Ministry’s role in early childhood education policy offers exciting challenges for policy professionals, including advising on the design of a new funding system for early learning, working with our colleagues from MSD, the Treasury and IRD to address concerns such as equity and affordability and how to best target funding to need. Our work sits across social and economic policy, and we work closely with other government agencies including MSD, Oranga Tamariki, IRD, Treasury, ERO, TEC, NZQA, ENZ, and others.

Te Pou Kaupapahere is responsible for whole-of-system, end-to-end policy integration covering early learning, compulsory schooling, and tertiary including Māori medium, te reo Māori, Pacific and Learning Support. We hold the relationship with all Ministers and provide integrated policy advice to them. We collaborate across government organisations so our advice to Ministers is joined up.

We’re proud of the culture in our policy teams. We appreciate and support each other and develop strong relationships that underpin our ability to deliver good work.

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 Rachel Voller Rachel.voller@education.govt.nz.

Applications close Midnight – Friday, 20 March 2026

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.