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Principal Policy Advisor| Building Performance And Resilience

Posted on Feb. 10, 2025

  • Full Time

Principal Policy Advisor| Building Performance And Resilience

MBIE's goal is to create a resilient and high-performing economy that delivers real and ongoing quality of life for all New Zealanders


Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

  • Rare policy leadership opportunity
  • Based in our central Wellington, Auckland or Christchurch office
  • Permanent opportunity
  • Salary range $132,417 to $160,472 + Kiwisaver wellness benefits

Tenei turanga - About the Role:

The Building Performance and Resilience Team provides regulatory policy advice and identifies and addresses problems in the building and construction sector so that buildings are safe, healthy, and durable.

The team is young, flexible and dynamic, with a big work programme. Our people are located across the country and we operate a "matrix management" model in order to support a wider work programme in the Building System Performance Branch.

The team currently has two key focus areas:

Reviewing seismic risk management in existing buildings under the earthquake prone building system which is regulated by the Building Act 2004. This Review is considering how well the current system for managing seismic risk in existing buildings is working, identifying problems, assessing options, and providing recommended actions.

Providing policy advice and giving effect to key decisions on the climate change work programme for building and construction and supporting the government's wider priorities on transitioning New Zealand to a low emissions economy in a market-led and cost-effective way. Working with other agencies on climate adaptation and natural hazards so that buildings are resilient to the impacts of climate change is another dimension to this work.

The primary policy focus will be on reviewing the seismic risk management of existing buildings under the earthquake-prone building system, although as an experienced and agile policy practitioner you may also be required to provide policy support in other key focus areas too.

You will lead the shaping of policy advice within the seismic risk management programme, support strategic direction and as an experienced policy practitioner, support the development of our people.

The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience working across government and alongside technical experts to lead multiple and complex workstreams and have solid experience in progressing legislative change and developing regulations.

To work in this role you'll need to love an intellectual challenge and you won't be afraid of ambiguity.

Nga pukenga me nga wheako e hiahiatia ana -

Skills and Experience Required

We are looking for a Principal Policy Advisor with exceptional policy skills, who has experience navigating complex and sensitive policy domains and providing thought leadership to deliver.

As a experienced Principal Policy Advisor, We are looking for someone with:

  • a track record of problem solving and experience in providing robust policy analysis, advice and intellectual leadership from project inception through to delivery
  • Proven experience in delivering high-quality and practical policy advice to Ministers, Cabinet and Select Committees
  • Demonstrated knowledge of machinery of government and parliamentary processes and procedures
  • strong stakeholder relationship building, influencing and engagement skills to gain the cooperation and commitment of others
  • the ability to constructively work with others to co-deliver the work you lead.
  • good understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles and application of these in public policy and in partnership with Maori
  • an interest in the seismic risk management of buildings or solid familiarity with the building and construction sector
  • a commitment to developing the capability and expertise of others through coaching and mentoring

If this sounds like you then we'd love to hear from you.

Etahi korero mo MBIE - About MBIE:

MBIE's goal is to create a resilient and high-performing economy that delivers real and ongoing quality of life for all New Zealanders.

We do this by working with others to create an environment that supports businesses to be more productive and internationally competitive, enables all New Zealanders to participate in the economy through improved job opportunities and by working to ensure quality housing is more affordable.

People are at the heart of our mahi, our way of working is guided by our values which shape our behaviours.

  • Mahi Tahi - Better Together
  • Maia - Bold and brave
  • Pae Kahurangi - Build our Future
  • Pono Me Te Tika - Own It

Our aspirations are echoed in our Maori identity - Hikina Whakatutuki - which broadly means `lifting to make successful'.

MBIE recognises the partnership founded under Te Tiriti o Waitangi between Maori and the Crown and is committed to giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We will do this through enduring, meaningful and effective partnerships with iwi, Maori, other Maori groups/organisations and the Crown, as this is critical to enable economic and social development, both for Maori and for wider Aotearoa New Zealand. We are committed to continuing to partner with iwi in order to find new sustainable solutions to address long standing systemic and cross-cutting issues facing Maori and wider Aotearoa New Zealand and we are also committed to identifying opportunities for iwi to lead and creating an enabling environment for iwi to leverage these opportunities.

E mohio ana a Hikina Whakatutuki i puea ake te kotuinga I waenganui i a ngai Maori me te Karauna i Te Tiriti o Waitangi, a, kei te whai ia ki te whakau ake i Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Ma te whai kiko o nga kotuinga ahungaroa o ngai wi, o ngai Maori, me etahi atu ropu Maori ki te Karauna, katutuki tenei. He ahuatanga nui tenei e ahei ai nga mahi whanaketanga a-ohanga, a-papori hoki ki a ngai Maori me Aotearoa whanui. E whai tonu ana matou ki te kotui atu ki nga iwi mo te rapu huarahi hou ki te whakaara i nga kaupapakua roa nei e tami ana i a ngai Maori me Aotearoa whanui, a, e whai ana hoki ki te tautohu i nga aheinga kokiritanga ma nga iwi, me te tautoko i nga iwi kia whai mana ake ai enei aheinga.

Me pehea te tono - How to Apply:


Click here to view a position description. All applications must be submitted via our online process and include a Cover Letter and CV outlining your interest and suitability for the role.

Email Monica Chow at monica.chow2@mbie.govt.nz quoting ref MBIE/16657 if you have any further questions.

Applications close on Sunday 23rd February.


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