New Zealand Ministry of Justice Looking for Policy Advisors – Graduate Programme at Wellington City, Wellington Full Time

Graduate Programme

Policy Advisor (Policy), Permanent, Full-time

National Office, Wellington

Kahore tetahi o tatou, taea te mahi, nga mahi e taea o tatou katoa

Not one of us alone can do the job as well as all of us working together

Te āhuatunga a te tūranga/About the Role

Are you motivated to make a difference for all New Zealanders? Can you see yourself as part of a team that values Ngā Ao Māori approaches and applies Te Tiriti o Waitangi to our policy development and advice? Come and join the Ministry working for justice – Te Tāhū o Te Ture.

The Ministry of Justice Policy Group is pleased to open applications for its 2023 Policy Graduate Programme.

We are looking for a diverse range of graduates to join the 12-month programme as Policy Advisors from February 2023. This is a permanent, full-time position and on completion of the Graduate Programme you will continue in a permanent Policy Advisor role.

We are looking for people from a range of backgrounds and fields of study, who are in their final year of tertiary study this year or have recently graduated. If you have an interest in justice issues, are passionate about making a difference, and would like to kick-start your career in the public sector, then we want to hear from you!

He pūkenga tou/Skills and Experience

We are looking for people who:

• Want to make a difference
• Bring strong communication and problem-solving skills
• Are approachable and can build strong working relationships
• Enjoy working as part of a team as well as independently
• Are quick learners who can manage their time and seek guidance when needed

The Policy Group is constantly working on improving its cultural capability, so an understanding of Te Ao Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and the ability to apply this to your work, is particularly valuable.

What can we offer you?

• Insight into, and hands-on experience with, policy development at the coalface of Ministerial decision making
• A comprehensive induction and training programme, on-the-job learning opportunities, and support and coaching from more senior policy advisors
• Being part of a supportive group of graduates all starting out their public sector careers
• Public service experience in a Government department committed to making a real difference to all New Zealanders

This opportunity is in Wellington, world-renowned for its exciting winds and coffee!

More information on the Graduate Programme can be found on this link.

Mō te tīma/About our Team

When you choose to work in the Policy Group at Justice – Tāhū o Te Ture – you’ll join a successful Group that is focused on making New Zealand a safe and just society. The Policy Group provides policy-related services to government, providing well-researched advice on a wide range of justice and constitutional issues. Policy Group aims to build a more safe and effective criminal justice system, improve access to justice, reduce family and sexual violence, and support democracy, the rule of law, and human rights. We are committed to honouring our commitments under te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Policy Group shapes the Government’s justice policies and provides advice to the Ministers of Justice and for Courts and Associate Ministers of Justice and for Courts. We administer over 150 Acts of Parliament, making our work very diverse. Our focus on developing high quality policy systems and processes, have meant we are a high performing Policy agency

Joining the Ministry of Justice means you will become part of an inclusive organisation that values you and the communities we serve. It’s our promise to ensure our workplace is one where our people feel healthy and safe, supported and able to be themselves at work. We value respect as the foundation for building a positive workplace culture and one where diversity is welcomed and celebrated.

Tono mai/How to Apply

If this sounds like an opportunity you’d be interested in, please apply by:

• Completing the application form
• Attaching your cover letter
• Attaching your CV
• Completing and attaching the self-assessment form

The self-assessment form is a key part of our shortlisting process, and applications that do not include a completed self-assessment form will not be considered.

Interviews are planned to take place in September in Wellington. If you are not Wellington-based, we can conduct the interview via video call, and you will need to have access to Skype, Zoom or Microsoft Teams for the interview. Following the interviews, we will let you know whether or not we can offer you a place in the graduate programme before the end of November.

Please keep an eye on our website for up to date information on when the interviews will be held, and other key dates.

The payband for the Policy Advisor role starts at $54,689 per year.

Applications close on: Sunday, 28 August 2022

Our Ministry’s top priority is the safety and wellbeing of its employees. We have a comprehensive range of health and safety protocols already in place across all our worksites to help keep our people safe from the effects of COVID-19. We strongly encourage and support all our people to be vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19. Our current policy position is that vaccination is not a prerequisite for employment. However, while employed by Te Tāhū you will be bound by all policies, procedures and rules which are in effect at the time. This includes any future changes to our vaccination requirements.

If you have any questions, please send them to skye.voice@justice.govt.nz