Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga – Ministry of Housing and Urban Development NZ Looking for Principal Advisor to General Manager at Wellington, Wellington Region, New Zealand Full Time

Job Description

• Providing strategic advice & supporting complex high priority work
• Stimulating and varied senior leadership role
• Permanent role located opposite Wellington train station

Come be part of our whānau making a positive difference for Aotearoa in this senior leadership role reporting to the General Manager System Policy.

Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga – Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) shapes the strategies and work programmes for housing and urban development in Aotearoa New Zealand. We’re working to make significant, long-term change, while also helping people and communities with their immediate needs.

Mō te tūnga | About the role

In this role you will work across the System Policy group on a range of critical housing and urban development issues and reforms, and work closely with the GM and managers to shape the strategic agenda and work programme. It’s an exciting time to be working in System Policy as we focus on how to make the changes that will make the biggest difference to the housing and urban development system.

System Policy works across the housing and urban development system to identify needs, underlying barriers, and opportunities for change. We do this by working closely with groups across HUD, other government agencies, iwi and Māori, and the diverse range of sectors that make up the housing and urban development systems.

We play a crucial role in leading, influencing and driving system change across government, and advise Ministers and HUD on how to improve housing and urban development systems, respond to emerging issues, and deliver better outcomes over time.

Working as part of the System Policy leadership team, you will be responsible for:

• Partnering with the GM to drive the strategic agenda for System Policy, and inform the policy direction of the organisation
• Supporting the GM and group with complex issues by scoping work, providing thought leadership and analytical input, collaborating and leading development of advice
• Being a trusted advisor and sounding board for the General Manager
• Engaging and communicating with senior stakeholders on projects/issues
• Working with the GM and managers to enhance the overall policy capability of the System Policy group, and lifting group capability by guiding and mentoring advisors
• Leading specific projects, as required

Ō wheako, ō pukenga | About you

You will be an experienced policy practitioner adept at giving strategic advice to senior leaders on emerging trends, issues and opportunities. You will be skilled at working on complex sensitive issues, scoping work and finding solutions to drive work forward to ensure successful delivery. You will be a system thinker, consider the bigger picture and be able to identify links between pieces of work.

You will be seen and act as a trusted advisor to the General Manager, governance groups and broader stakeholders on key issues in relation to the work of the group.

Ideally Your Skills And Experience Will Include

• Proven experience providing high quality strategic advice to executive or senior leaders that align to organisational priorities.
• Proven experience in leading, scoping, planning and managing complex policy projects in risky, complex, ambiguous and/or sensitive areas
• Being a system thinker, and be able to apply strong intellectual capability and judgement to analyse complex cross cutting policy issues, be able to readily grasp and synthesise the ideas, analysis and advice produced by others, and deliver practical system level solutions
• Sound knowledge of public policy processes and have an in-depth understanding of the policy production process
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a proven ability to build and leverage relationships and partner with colleagues and others to achieve shared outcomes.
• Proven experience leading and contributing to organisational initiatives, bringing the right people together to achieve the right outcomes, and leading, coaching and mentoring others in an inclusive way that lifts capability

The salary range for this role is $137,500 – $168,000 +3% Kiwisaver contribution.

Ngā painga | What we offer

• Flexible working to give work/life balance
• Engaging employee-led people networks that celebrate diversity, provide safe spaces, and encourage thought-leadership
• Close to the railway station, modern office space and cloud -based technology that allows for joined up, cohesive collaboration
• Wellbeing initiatives, tools and courses, and a discounted health insurance scheme
• Open minds – we aren’t afraid of change and encourage fresh approaches and ideas from people who want to make a difference
• We work to make sure the aspirations of whānau, hapū and iwi are enabled
• Salaries automatically move up a step on an annual basis

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

Please click on the APPLY button to be directed to the application page, from here you can upload your CV and cover letter. Please note, while applications close on 1st October 2023, we will be reviewing applications as they are received and may progress with suitable applicants prior to the application closing date. Therefore, please apply as soon as possible if you are interested in this position.

For tracking and evaluation purposes, all applications must be submitted via our on-line process. You must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand to be eligible for this position. 

For further inquiries please contact [email protected]

About Us

Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga – The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) leads Aotearoa – New Zealand’s housing and urban development work programme.

Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga reflects the intention of ‘the foundation for a treasured home’. The name comes from the Māori whakatauki (proverb) ‘he kura kāinga e hokia, he kura tangata e kore e hokia’, – ‘a treasured home will endure, not so a treasured person’. It carries with it a strong connection to our purpose: he kāinga ora, he hapori ora – thriving communities where everyone has a place to call home. The importance of ensuring the wellbeing of people within the home, and our connection with the land – acknowledges the generations of people who have always called this place ‘home’ – and affirms our commitment to delivering for future generations of New Zealanders