• Job Type: Permanent Full Time
• Category: Policy/Analysts
• Location: Wellington City
• Date Advertised: 27-AUG-25
• Job Reference: MOJ/1881794
• Job Title: Senior Policy Advisor
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• Job Duration:N/A
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  Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini.
  Success is not the work of one, but the work of many.

TE HAEATA/THE OPPORTUNITY

Are you an experienced senior policy advisor with a proven track record? Do you want to help solve complex problems that impact the lives of New Zealanders?
We are seeking two permanent Senior Policy Advisors to lead policy work and coach junior advisors.
Successful candidates will be appointed to the Policy Group and placed in a role in the Courts and Justice Services Policy Unit.

COURTS AND JUSTICE SERVICES POLICY UNIT

Your work will involve providing advice on topical and important matters such as improving court timeliness and stewardship, our legal aid system, and family law issues.
The Courts and Justice Services Policy Unit works to strengthen trust in the laws of Aotearoa New Zealand, administering and providing advice on the legal frameworks, systems and policies that underpin courts and tribunals, family relationships, access to justice and the provision of legal services.
There are two roles in this unit, one in our Courts Timeliness and Efficiency Policy team, and the other in our Family Law team.
The Courts Timeliness and Efficiency Policy team works across a range of projects, with a number of stakeholders, to improve timeliness and efficiency across all of our courts. Our work programme is diverse and dynamic and will provide opportunities to develop skills in leading complex projects, innovative thinking, relationship management and legislative change.
The Family Law team is responsible for the administration of legislation relating to the Family Court and family law. We work to improve outcomes for all users of the family justice system. This includes policy about the care of children, and legal relationships such as adoption, marriage, and civil unions. As part of our responsibilities, we also focus on law relating to family violence and relationship property.
Ō pūkenga/Skills and Experience

Senior Policy Advisors lead programmes of work, coach more junior staff and are supported by our Principal Advisor. These roles require a strong policy skill set. We are looking for someone with a proven track record in:

• problem solving and analysis – can you analyse complex policy issues and options for addressing them?
• relationship skills – do you have strong relationship management skills, including with diverse internal and external stakeholders?
• work management skills – can you prioritise, plan and deliver on multiple workstreams?
• communication skills – are you an excellent communicator? Can you clearly and simply explain complex information for Ministers and other audiences?
• advisory skills – do you have extensive knowledge and understanding of the machinery of Government and public policy?

In return, we will:

• prioritise your well-being and professional development,
• empower you to coach others, and be coached by experienced policy professionals, and
• provide opportunities to work on a broad range of important and challenging policy problems.

The successful candidates will have a relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent knowledge, skills, and experience. Experience with the legislative process or a legal background would be an advantage but is not essential. Treaty of Waitangi/te Tiriti o Waitangi analysis skills are highly desirable.
Applicants must have the right to work in New Zealand.
Mō mātou/About us
At Te Tāhū o te Ture - the Ministry of Justice, we’re committed to working together for a fair and safe Aotearoa.
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.

• problem solving and analysis – can you analyse complex policy issues and options for addressing them?
• relationship skills – do you have strong relationship management skills, including with diverse internal and external stakeholders?
• work management skills – can you prioritise, plan and deliver on multiple workstreams?
• communication skills – are you an excellent communicator? Can you clearly and simply explain complex information for Ministers and other audiences?
• advisory skills – do you have extensive knowledge and understanding of the machinery of Government and public policy