Senior 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

This is a permanent full time Wellington-based position.
 

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 complex, interesting and varied work that develops your career, then this role is for you.

We are looking for an experienced policy professional to join 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. Over time, you will also have the opportunity to work more broadly across the System, Connections and Early Learning Policy group and Te Pou Kaupapahere.

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:
 

• be involved in strategic policy projects including a comprehensive review of how Government funds ECE and supports families to participate in it, working with other agencies across Government including the Treasury, MSD and IRD.
• Identify and draw on future trends and emerging strategic issues in, and performance and impact of, the early childhood education sector to inform the role of Government in funding early childhood education and wider ECE system policy settings.

Salary range: $99,496 - $143,760 per annum + 3% KiwiSaver. 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 Descroption here Senior Policy Analyst
  
About you | Mōhou ake

We are looking for a committed and experienced Senior Policy Analyst who will be able to hit the ground running and bring passion, energy and analytical ability. We would like to hear from you if you have proven policy experience, and

• have proven ability to develop and lead evidence-based complex and sensitive policy projects or programmes of work
• have excellent oral and written communication skills
• be able to work autonomously, demonstrate self-motivation and remain calm, focussed and resilient under pressure
• have established strong working relationships across key government agencies to ensure delivery and effective management of cross-government programmes
• excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated a team work approach
• strength or enjoyment in developing and mentoring junior staff
• demonstrate knowledge of, or a willingness to gain an understanding of Te Ao Māori and promote tikanga and Te Reo Māori

• have knowledge of, or a willingness to gain an appreciation of te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi) as it applies in the public sector.
• The ability and willingness to adhere to the Public Service Standards of Integrity and Conduct.
   

In return we can offer you the opportunity to contribute to a high profile, challenging and ambitious agenda for change, a strong focus on the development of our people, and the ability to drive and influence policy direction.

About our group and team | Mātau rōpū ake

The ECE System Investment Policy Team is one of two ECE policy teams that sits within the Systems, Connections and Early Learning Policy Group. The Group also has the Education System Policy Team (which looks at policy issues that cut across the system as a whole from ECE through schooling into teritary education), the Crown Entity Monitoring and Appointments Team (responsible for monitoring the three 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 and a confidential conversation, please contact Anne Fontaine, Principal Advisor at anne.fontaine@education.govt.nz

Applications close Midnight – Friday 23 May 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.