Senior & Principal Adviser - Transport Financing

Position Title: Senior Adviser & Principal Adviser

Team and Group: Transport Financing, Investment and Monitoring group 

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

Location: Wellington CBD office (currently located on Queens Wharf)

Salary: Base Salary Senior Adviser $108,126 – $143,618 + KiwiSaver

            Base Salary Principal Adviser $127,142 – $168,973 + KiwiSaver

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. The Ministry prides itself in valuing integrity, excellence, and collaboration.

About the opportunity | Ngā whakamārama mō te tūnga

The Transport Financing team works across the Ministry and with key stakeholders to advise the Minister of Transport on economic and commercial considerations to support delivery of transport priorities. The team gets involved in high-priority, highly visible work such as:

• working alongside NZTA and the Treasury on significant Public-Private Partnership projects (for example the Northland Expressway);
• leading Market Sounding with the private sector to develop advice on asset recycling and understand the viability of concessions on toll roads;
• supporting the commercial and financial analysis of, and advice on, business cases for complex projects which require careful consideration of Crown and private funding and financing, the value for money proposition, and options for progressing (for example Additional Waitematā Harbour Crossing); and
• alongside other Ministry Teams, analysing the financial and fiscal sustainability of NZTA’s National Land Transport Fund (NLTF) and advising on options to address challenges.

Responsibilities in these roles would include: 

• scoping and planning transport projects in ambiguous and complex areas;
• providing robust policy advice that meets the needs of the Minister and key stakeholders – communicating complex issues and trade-offs clearly, succinctly, and persuasively;
• applying advanced frameworks and methods of analysis to identify policy and investment problems, analyse the issues, and identify and assess the policy and investment options;
• analysis of economic and commercial considerations and how they relate to benefit cost analysis, the value-for-money of proposed projects, and subsequent decision making;
• critically synthesising information from a wide variety of domains and using in-depth knowledge of the policy or investment area to draw sound conclusions based on the available evidence;
• leading engagement with delivery agencies, stakeholders and government agencies to ensure the advice provided is practical and effective;
• using appropriate project planning and management techniques, manage risks and coordinate work with others;
• providing guidance and on-the-job training and coaching to more junior team members.

What you’ll bring | Te wāhi ki a koe

We are looking for advisers with excellent economic, commercial, and/or policy experience that are seeking their next challenge and an opportunity to build their expertise.

This role is ideal for those people that are comfortable operating in ambiguous situations and have a knack for relationship building.

Ideally, we are looking for candidates who have substantial experience within the public sector but, we are open to applications from candidates who have a commercial background within the private sector but with an understanding of government environment/processes.

As a senior adviser you will demonstrate strong experience and successful capability in:

• commercial and/ or economic analysis and how this relates to benefit cost analysis and decision making, and/or other frameworks to evaluate the value-for-money of proposed projects and investments;
• policy development and analysis in the public sector, with a solid understanding of government policy-making procedures, and good political nous;
• end-to-end delivery of large policy projects/programmes, while working under pressure and managing tight timelines;
• the policy process and machinery of government, including understanding regulatory frameworks, interpreting legislation, and knowledge about associated government institutions;
• successfully building and maintaining effective working relationships at all levels, internally and externally, including influencing others to achieve outcomes;
• numerical analysis including an understanding of basic economic, fiscal and statistical concepts;
• successful communication and influencing skills, including using a range of oral, written and visual mediums to communicate effectively to diverse audiences and situations;
• written advice, where you nail the pitch, tone, clarity and conciseness every time;
• analytical and critical thinking skills, including successfully applying problem-solving skills to draw sound conclusions and provide appropriate advice or decisions; and
• effectively building the capability of others, including the provision of guidance, coaching, and on-the-job training to less experienced people.

As a principal adviser you will demonstrate extensive experience and successful capability in:

• commercial and/ or economic analysis and principles and how this relates to benefit cost analysis and decision making, and/or other frameworks to evaluate the value-for-money of proposed projects and investments;
• developing advice on funding and financing tools and methods relevant to the transport sector;
• leading policy development and analysis in the public sector with a deep understanding of government policy-making procedures, and excellent political nous;
• leading the planning and management of large, complex, risky, ambiguous, and sensitive policy projects/programmes, while working through others to achieve this and under pressure to meet tight timelines;
• understanding the policy process and machinery of government, including regulatory frameworks, interpreting legislation, and knowledge about associated government institutions, across multiple portfolio areas;
• proactively and successfully building and maintaining effective working relationships and networks at all levels, internally and externally, including influencing others to achieve outcomes;
• numerical analysis that includes an understanding and application of economic, fiscal, and statistical concepts;
• successful communication and influencing skills, including the use of a range of oral, written and visual mediums to communicate and influence effectively to diverse audiences and situations demonstrating political nous;
• written advice, where you nail the pitch, tone, clarity and conciseness every time, and help others do the same;
• applying your intellectual thinking and leadership to add value, solve problems and draw well-considered conclusions and provide clear advice or decisions; and
• effectively building the capability of others, including the provision of proactive coaching and identifying opportunities to develop people.

The senior and principal roles require a tertiary qualification in a relevant field (such as public policy, economics, or law).
 

Salary range | Whānuitanga Utu ā-Tau

The base salary range for Senior Adviser positions is $108,126 - $143,618 per annum (+ KiwiSaver) and for Principal Adviser positions $127,142- $168,973 per annum (+ KiwiSaver). The salary offered will reflect the skills and experience you bring.

What we offer | Te wāhi ki a mātou

• A supportive, friendly, and high-performing work environment and team motivated to achieve success
• An engaged manager passionate about individual and team development and wellbeing  
• An exciting work programme, including engagement with senior leaders and Ministers
• Additional Ministry leave days, and 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 networks.

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.

Applications close midnight, Wednesday 7 May 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.