Principal Policy Advisers - Transport Financing

Position Title:  Principal Policy Advisers

Team and Group:  Transport Financing, Investment and Monitoring Group 

Position Type:  Permanent, Full Time (38 hours per week)

Location:  Wellington CBD office (Queens Wharf)

Salary: $127,142 - $168,973 per annum (+ KiwiSaver)


Great opportunity to be involved in identifying and developing specific opportunities to accelerate the delivery of government’s transport programme.

About the Ministry of Transport | He kupu mō mātou Te Manatū Waka

The Ministry of Transport is the system leader for the transport sector, whether it’s on land, at sea, or in the air. We are the government’s adviser on transport policy, regulation and investment and play a crucial role in ensuring the transport system is working to improve the prosperity of New Zealanders.

At the Ministry of Transport, we pride ourselves on being a small, agile, and friendly Ministry. We have approximately 230 staff across our Wellington and Auckland offices.

About the opportunity | Ngā whakamārama mō te tūnga

The Investment and Monitoring Group is responsible for advising on investments across the transport sector, and monitoring and supporting the performance of those investments and the key transport sector agencies.

The Transport Financing team supports the Minister of Transport to identify and develop specific opportunities to accelerate the delivery of the government’s transport infrastructure priorities through the deployment of innovative financing instruments. 

As a Principal Adviser you’ll be working closely with the team manager and have responsibility for providing thought leadership and supporting the overall capability of the team, as well as delivering key projects, programmes and objectives.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing, testing, and implementing transport finance methods, methodologies, tools and policy frameworks that support the forward delivery of key transport projects and programmes. 
• Providing expert policy advice and leading, shaping, and managing how transport can best utilise funding and financing tools to accelerate delivery of key government transport projects.
• Partnering with the manager to drive the team’s work programme and contributing to the development and implementation of both the team’s and the Ministry’s approach to transport finance.
• Enhancing the overall capability of the team through coaching and mentoring team members during their day-to-day work, and against their longer-term development plans.
• Providing thought leadership to inform, drive and challenge Ministry thinking.

What you’ll bring | Te wāhi ki a koe

• The capacity to exercise finance and/ or economic skills and experience to a standard recognised as domain expertise across transport finance projects and programmes
• Experience in leading complex work programmes and developing realistic and achievable timeframes and ensuring delivery
• Extensive experience in leading, coaching and mentoring staff 
• Strong oral and written communication and presentation skills that you can use constructively and persuasively, to reinforce your domain expertise
• A strong ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships at all levels, internally and externally - gaining trust quickly and navigating difficulties swiftly
• A tertiary qualification in a relevant field or equivalent experience (such as commerce, economics, finance, accounting or public policy).

Salary range | Whānuitanga Utu ā-Tau

The base salary band for this position is $127,142 - $168,973 per annum per annum (+ KiwiSaver). The salary offered will reflect skills and experience and the Ministry’s salary relativities.  

What we offer | Te wāhi ki a mātou

• Supportive work environment and individual development plans
• Additional Ministry leave days
• A range of health and wellbeing benefits including wellbeing days
• Modern offices discreetly located right on the wharf with collaborative working spaces, showers, storage for bicycles/scooters and personal lockers
• A welcoming range of employee network 

How to apply | Me pēhea te tono mai

To view the job description, or apply online, click Apply. Please include a CV and cover letter highlighting your relevant skills and experience.

To apply for this role, you must have right to live and work in New Zealand. You will need to be based in Wellington or ready to relocate. Other locations will not be considered.

Applications close midnight, Sunday 1 December 2024.

For further information or to speak confidentially, please contact Rebcca Bakker, Senior Recruitment Adviser at r.bakker@transport.govt.nz. 

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds, orientations, and identities. We aim to have a Ministry that represents the wider Aotearoa that we serve. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels relevant, valued, supported and a sense of belonging.

For any support or accessibility needs during our recruitment process, please contact us at applications@transport.govt.nz.

Please note, we are not engaging with recruitment agencies to fill this vacancy and unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies will not be accepted.