Ministry for the Environment Looking for Principal Policy Analyst, Māori climate action at Auckland CBD, Auckland Full Time

Permanent/Fixed Term/Secondment 

• New role
• A unique and vital leadership opportunity within the Ministry  
• Work flexibly by default – be based anywhere around the motu

Mō tēnei tūrangi mahi | About this role 

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.  We work to ensure the Ministry is setup for long term success, with systems and processes that enable us to deliver on our Te Tiriti obligations. 

Our climate change work programme is focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to a changing climate.  Lowering our emissions and preparing for the inevitable impacts of climate change now puts us in a better position to build a flourishing society for our tamariki and mokopuna. 

To ensure Te Tiriti relationships and partnerships are a central part of our nation’s climate response, we are establishing a new Māori climate platform – a space for partnership.  This new function will support Māori to define, measure and implement a Māori climate strategy and action plan, to activate kaupapa Māori, tangata Māori solutions to climate change. 

We are looking for Principal Policy Analyst to be part of the leadership team that will support this important new initiative.  You will provide judgement and direction in an operating context that is often ambiguous, complex and politically charged.   The role is both inward and outward facing.  Two key functions are to: 

1. support the Interim Ministerial Advisory Committee in designing proposals for this approach to partnership. 
2. support the Climate Business Group in embedding te ao Māori in their everyday work

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience 

You’ll have a passion for our environment and the ability to provide fresh, innovative ways of thinking.  You’ll understand how policy changes impact people on the ground, especially Māori, iwi and our communities. 

You will also bring:

• an ability to apply Māori worldviews in a way that makes a meaningful difference to policy advice, implementation, partnerships, and relationships with others
• experience working with Māori, iwi and hapu
• intellectually sharp, capable, and agile you will lead, influence and manoeuvre through complex political situations effectively
• strong interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills across diverse groups
• a collaborative operating style
• highly proficient in Te Reo Māori (desirable)
• political savvy in terms of tact, discretion and diplomacy
• coaching and mentoring experience
• a background in climate change policy advice or regulatory policy advice (desirable) 

Most importantly, you will be passionate about looking for new and innovative ways of achieving positive environmental outcomes.  

Whānuitanga Utu ā-Tau | Salary range

Salary range for this role is $155,491 to $190,044 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 balance
• agile working, allowing you variety and challenges across the organisation as we work as ‘One MfE’
• generous leave entitlements
• active employee networks including Māori, Asian, Neurodivergent, Women, Pasifika, Rainbow 
• opportunities for development and education.          

Check out other benefits of joining us.

Mō mātou | About us  

The Ministry’s purpose – He taiao tōnui mō ngā reanga katoa – a flourishing environment for every generation.  

A key priority for the Ministry is Te Ao Māori. This means we work with our Treaty partner 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.  An organisational priority is that we accurately reflect Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Te Ao Māori into our everyday work, by living our Te Ao Hurihuri Strategy through capability and capacity building.

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 Ngaire Howes at [email protected].  If you require a copy of the position description, please go to www.mfe.govt.nz/jobs and click through to view the advertisement and position description.

The location for this role is flexible which means you can work anywhere in New Zealand and there is an option to work from home.  As a flexible friendly employer, we are happy to discuss solutions that may work for you and the business.  We value and care about enabling our people to work in a way that means they can work at their best. 

We embrace diversity and inclusion and are committed to equal opportunities. What’s important to us is ‘he rau kotahi tangata’ – embracing our multiple talents – by harnessing our diversity and being inclusive. We actively encourage applications from all backgrounds.  We are proud to be Rainbow Tick certified and recognise the diversity and uniqueness of our workforce and reaffirm our commitment to create a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. 

We want to ensure accessibility needs are well supported, so the recruitment process is fair and equitable for all. Therefore, please let us know if there is any support, we can provide to ensure the recruitment process is fully accessible to you. You can contact us at [email protected] if you would like to discuss any accessibility needs you may have.

Rā Katinga | Applications close: Sunday, 30 October 2022