Senior Policy Analyst, Strategic Policy

2X Senior Policy Analyst(s), Strategic Policy

• Help shape the future of New Zealand’s cross-cutting emergency management system. 
• Use your strategic policy skills to understand and provide advice on the big policy questions for emergency management. 
• Provide policy advice to government before, during and after emergencies. 

We have an exciting role for a critical thinker who can deliver high quality policy advice, working with our partners across the emergency management sector. 

This role is permanent, but we will also consider secondments.

Ko wai mātou | About us

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) provides national leadership to New Zealand's distributed emergency management system. NEMA's primary focus is on the performance and capability of the emergency management system as a whole, across all hazards and all risks and the 4 Rs of risk reduction, readiness, response and recovery.

NEMA values diversity and inclusion. We want our workforce to reflect the diversity of our communities. We value and respect the contributions of our people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, skills and perspectives. We support flexible ways of working that bring out the best in you.

We are committed to doing our part to deliver on the Crown's commitments to Māori under Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We strive to actively build te Ao Māori perspectives and capability into our day-to-day work, values and practices.

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About the role

You will be part of the small, but mighty, NEMA Policy Unit which provides emergency management-related policy advice to Government, the emergency management sector, and wider national resilience system.

The Policy Unit has a Strategic Policy Team and Operational Policy Team. You will be housed in the Strategic Policy Team and primarily work on strategic policy matters that impact the emergency management system. 

It’s an exciting time for our Unit particularly as we look to deliver emergency management system reforms. You will be leading policy advice related to the reform programme. This means being part of shaping the foundation of the emergency management system to enable better on-the-ground outcomes before, during and after disasters.   

In addition to this, your role will also include policy advice to the Minister, the NEMA Executive Leadership Team and operational teams in NEMA on new policy settings that may be required to achieve emergency management system outcomes. 

The emergency management system also cuts across a broad range of issues. This means you will also lead analysis and advise on other government reform programmes that have an interface with the emergency management system.

As NEMA is an operational agency, there may be a requirement to respond to emergency activations in the event of a national emergency response. This may include potentially long hours and challenging working conditions, e.g. an emergency could occur at any time of the day or night and may require working shifts and/or working weekends. NEMA provides thorough training prior to you being required to assist in a response. NEMA will do all in its power to support staff in meeting their work and family responsibilities during an emergency. The welfare and wellbeing of our staff is of upmost importance.

Due to the nature of our role in Emergency Management, NEMA has a very dynamic work environment and as a small agency, staff are often required to pivot and change focus on their work at short notice. Attributes of adaptability, agility, resilience and curiosity are all required on a daily basis, in and out of times of emergency response.

Ko wai koe | About you

We are looking for candidates with the following attributes: 

• Proven experience scoping and leading policy advice, including using relevant policy frameworks and analytical tools
• Ability to think strategically about issues to develop policy advice, and to anticipate future trends and their implications.
• Strong communication and influencing skills, including an ability to proactively build and leverage collaborative internal and external stakeholder relationships to drive system outcomes.
• Acts with an understanding of the Crown's obligations under the Te Tiriti o Waitangi and applying Māori perspectives to policy advice.
• Excellent written capability and ability to present complex ideas so they can be easily understood.
• Ability to take initiative, work autonomously and adapt in quick changing circumstances to deliver high quality work under pressure.
• A high standard of professionalism, integrity, and accountability.
• An existing understanding of emergency management, national security, and/or risk management is desirable but not essential. 

Ta matou e tuku | What we offer

We pride ourselves on the quality of our staff and understand the importance of fostering a working environment where excellence is recognised and where staff are encouraged to develop their own talents and potential. We welcome diversity, in all its forms and we believe it is a strength.

The indicative base range for these roles is $108,018 - $117,951 depending on experience. We also offer a range of other benefits including an annual wellbeing allowance, 15 days of sick leave entitlement and additional Departmental days.

Whakaritenga Haumaru | Security Requirements

Due to the security requirements of this role, applicants must be a New Zealand citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident. 

Me pehea te tono | How to apply

Please select 'Apply' to download a position description or apply. If you have any questions, contact Kim Thwaites on email NEMATalent@nema.govt.nz 

To view the full job description please click here.

Applications close 4pm, Friday 24 October 2025.

National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is a departmental agency of the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA).  NEMA provides leadership in reducing risk, being ready for, responding to and recovering from emergencies.