Senior Operational Policy Analyst

Type: Fixed term or secondment (until June 2025)
Hours: Full time
Location: Wellington
Business Group : Regulatory Services
Branch: Regulation and Policy

Who we are:

Working at the Department of Internal Affairs, you’ll have the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of New Zealanders. The Regulatory Services Group, leads, and influences two key regulatory systems for Aotearoa. In the gambling system we deliver community wellbeing through reducing gambling related harms; and in the anti-money laundering (AML) system we protect the trust in the financial systems of Aotearoa. We are a responsive risk-based regulator focused on reducing harm, and ensuring that iwi, hapū and communities across Aotearoa are safe, resilient, and thriving.

The opportunity:

The Government has introduced changes to regulations in the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act (AML/CFT Act), following a Ministry of Justice-led review held between July 2021 and 30 June 2022.

We are seeking a Senior Operational Policy professional to join our dynamic Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act (AML/CFT) regulatory team, with an initial commitment until the end of June 2025.

You will play a critical role in supporting reporting entities across a wide range of sectors to understand and comply with their AML/CFT obligations in response to these evolving regulatory requirements.

This role requires a thought leader, subject-matter and technical expert, capable of delivering publishable guidance at pace.

Responsibilities will include:

• Developing operational policies, guidance, and resources to assist reporting entities in meeting their AML/CFT obligations
• Analysing complex regulatory changes and translating them into practical, user-friendly materials for businesses
• Collaborating with stakeholders, including other government agencies, industry representatives, and legal teams, to ensure guidance reflects best practice and meets legislative requirements
• Evaluating the effectiveness of existing guidance and identifying areas for improvement.

About you:

To be successful you will have:

• Significant experience in operational policy or policy in a regulatory environment, or similar skills from a regulatory context
• High quality written and oral communication skills with the ability to communicate complex issues to a variety of audiences
• An understanding of how to operationalise and implement changes to legislation and regulation
• Advanced critical thinking skills and the ability to deal with ambiguity
• A tertiary qualification (for example in policy, law, or another relevant field)
• Relevant experience in the AML/CFT system in Aotearoa New Zealand or a comparable jurisdiction is highly desirable.

If you’re looking for a new challenge that encourages you to think innovatively to help make a difference to Aotearoa and its people, then Internal Affairs could be the place for you.

We are an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and inclusion. We recognise a diverse workforce contributes to better business outcomes. We are committed to creating a workplace where all employees have equal access.

Applications close: 5pm, 31 January 2025
For more information please contact: Abi.Bloy@dia.govt.nz
Job description: To review the full job description, please click here.