- Lead meaningful mahi that drives change for women and girls
- Drive strategic policy programmes, provide high-quality advice on complex and sensitive issues, and shape the Ministry's policy direction in key priority areas.
- Build strong relationships across government, with stakeholders and partners, while supporting the growth and capability of the wider policy function.
Mō Manatū Wāhine | About Manatū Wāhine
Manatū Wāhine Ministry for Women is the Government’s principal advisor on improving the lives of wāhine women and kōtiro girls in Aotearoa New Zealand. We provide system leadership, working across government and with stakeholders to improve outcomes for wāhine women and kōtiro girls.
Our people are crucial to achieving the strategic outcomes we are seeking. We are looking for a capable senior policy professional with a great work attitude to join our team and help us deliver for wāhine women.
We value our Ko wai mātou (ways of working) which reflect who we are and what’s important to us; they guide and influence how we work as individuals, as teams and as one Ministry to achieve the best outcomes for those we serve.
Our Ko wai mātou are:
- Kia Māia - we are brave and courageous in all that we do
- Tuia mai - we embrace and support wāhine from all communities
- Whakamanawa - we lead with heart to achieve the best outcomes for wāhine.
Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role
This role presents a great opportunity to leverage your extensive policy and relationship management experience across a broad and interesting strategic work programme. Our work spans economic empowerment, health and wellbeing, safety and leadership and our international work protects and promotes the rights of wāhine women and kōtiro girls.
In this role you will lead and drive one or more sections of our policy programme, building and leveraging relationships across government and with key stakeholders to develop and influence policy settings. You will work collaboratively with colleagues across the Ministry to support our end-to-end policy approach, and will support members of the policy team to grow and develop.
Ko koe tēnei | About you
The ideal person for this role will be a skilled policy professional with experience as a principal policy advisor or at an equivalent level, and expertise in leading policy projects. You will also have experience working with senior stakeholders across government and beyond, and you may have had some experience in international policy work or with international organisations. You’ll enjoy working on a broad programme of policy projects and have the skills and experience to turn a ‘great idea’ into a workable solution, and to bring others on the journey with you. You can coach and mentor to support junior staff to develop and grow and support the policy manager with the overall running of the team.
In addition, you will have solid policy analysis and advice skills including:
- A commitment to improving the lives of all wāhine women and kōtiro girls;
- Extensive experience in a public service environment and a strong understanding of the machinery of government
- Experience of writing for various audiences including Cabinet, Ministers and senior leaders
- Strategic and tactical nous and understanding of political context
- A sound understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the ability to apply this within the work that you do.
Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply
This is a full-time permanent role. The salary range for this role is $124,834 to $158,497. A copy of the full job description and application form can be found on the Manatū Wāhine website.
To apply for this position, email your completed application form, a cover letter and CV via recruitment@women.govt.nz.
Applications made via Seek Quick Apply cannot be accepted.
Applications close at 5:00pm Wednesday 25 November 2026.
We are committed to providing a working environment that values inclusion, diversity, and accessibility. We embrace the unique perspective and capabilities of our current and future employees, which will help us to improve outcomes for wāhine women and kōtiro girls. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to tell us when you apply so that we can assist you through the recruitment process.
