1 x Principal Advisor, 2 x Senior Analyst, 2 x Analyst | Flexible

Job Description

• Collaborative team environment
• High profile and exciting work
• Support flexible working to support your work-life balance
• Fixed term / Secondment until 11 December 2026.

The Partnerships/Investments & Enablement Group within MfE have a stewardship role in translating policy into action on the ground. Our key focus is on working with key partners and stakeholders, including Māori/Iwi, local government and industry to identify outcomes, and bring together diversity of thinking coupled with different perspectives to find solutions.

The roles would sit within the System Operations team – RMA Operations business unit.

The System Operations team ensures the effective delivery of the Ministry's statutory responsibilities, supporting a responsive and trusted environmental management system. It has a close working relationship with the System Oversight team. Functions include:

• Applications to become a requiring authority, time extensions, and the streamlined planning process
• Administer agency functions under the FTAA
• Responding to a significant amount of Ministerial correspondence and Official Information Act (OIA) requests.

These roles have been created as a direct result of the significant workload associated with the RM Reform work within the Ministry, and the increase in our functions under the Fast Track Approvals Act. All are fixed term roles until December, 11 2026.

There are roles available across different levels. In your application, please indicate which role level you are applying for.

Mō te tūranga mahi | About the roles

We are looking for people with a variety of skills sets. Ideally, you will possess demonstrated experience and proficiency in two or more of the following:

• In-depth understanding of and experience with the RMA, particularly as is related to local government (across urban and natural environment planning, policy, implementation and modelling)
• Implementing policy into practice within central and/or local government settings
• Consents Planning experience in local government or private sector
• Relationship and stakeholder management skills (internal and external facing)
• Strong policy writing skills, including drafting advice, legislation and regulations.
• Experience of machinery of government processes (e.g. Select Committee)

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

We are looking for a mix of staff whose skillsets can complement each other and the work programme. All advertised roles will require individuals to demonstrate competence across several generic skillsets:

• A pragmatic, agile systems-thinker with the ability to navigate ambiguity, learn quickly, and deliver strategically across competing priorities at pace.
• Proven ability to build credible relationships and engage effectively with diverse stakeholders, including Māori and local government.
• Proven organisational skills with the ability to work independently, think ahead, prioritise, and meet deadlines while preserving high levels of accuracy and confidentiality
• Proven ability to review and synthesise information and draw inference about the alignment of applications and council plans with legislation.
• Strong understanding of consenting and plan making, ability to draft advice, correspondence, OIA responses, and assist with advice for Ministers.
• Strong written / verbal communication and problem-solving skills.
• Commitment to teamwork and collaboration.
• A willingness to adopt continuous improvement (i.e reflect on what has worked, what hasn't and what the lessons are in a constructive way) and take on the ideas of others.
• Principal / Senior Only: Experience in mentoring /teaching other team members: Ability to act as a coach or mentor to junior analysts, both as part of their development and as a project leader, reviewing work, providing quality control and identifying development opportunities

Whānuitanga Utu ā-Tau | Salary range

• Principal: salary range is between $142,185 to $172,853 pa.
• Senior Analyst: salary range is between $110,510 to $134,128 pa.
• Analyst: salary range is between $80,712 to $97,721 pa.

Appointment within the above ranges for each role tier will be based on skills and experience.

Ngā hua ka puta i te mahi ki MfE | Benefits of working at MfE  

• a flexible approach to embrace a healthy work-life blend 
• agile ways of working, allowing you variety and challenges across the organisation as we work as ‘One MfE' 
• active employee networks including Māori Rōpū, Asian Network, Neurodivergent and Disability Networks, Women's Network, Tagata Moana (Pacific Peoples' Network), and Rainbow Network 
• opportunities for development and education.        

Check out other benefits of joining us and hear what our people say about Working at MfE | Ministry for the Environment.  

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.   

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 are committed to providing equal opportunities and actively strive to be a diverse organisation with an inclusive culture.  We actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply.  We are proud to be a Rainbow Tick and Gender Tick certified organisation and are committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for everyone.   

We want to ensure any accessibility needs you may have are well supported, so the recruitment process is fair and equitable for all.  Therefore, please let us know if there are any adjustments or support we can offer to make the recruitment process more accessible to you.  Please contact us at vacancy@mfe.govt.nz if you would like to discuss any accessibility needs you may have.  

You must have the right to live and work in New Zealand to apply for this role.  

Tono ināianei | Apply now

Apply directly by completing the online application form and submit your CV and cover letter.

Please Note:

• Due to the high workloads associated with the RM Reform programme, applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the hiring panel will commence interviews as appropriate applicants apply.
• 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 these positions, please contact Rebecca.partridge@mfe.govt.nz (Manager, System Operations)

Rā Katinga | Applications close: Friday 27 February @ 11.59pm