Policy Analyst, International Environment & Sustainability | Wellington City
| Category: | Policy/Analysts |
| Position Type: | Permanent |
| Attachments: | Policy Analyst - Policy & Trade.docx (Word, 151KB) Job Specification |
| Application Close Date: | 25-Feb-2026 |
Job Description
Policy Analyst, International Environment & Sustainability
Role type: Permanent, full-time
Location: Wellington City
Salary range & band: General Salary Range F: $76,463 - $101,967 depending on skills and experience.
(Midpoint for this position is $89,215)
About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga
We are seeking a policy analyst to join our International Environment & Sustainability (IES) team. This role helps support MPI's international engagement on a broad range of environmental and sustainability issues that impact New Zealand's primary sectors, particularly as they relate to trade. Our team sits within the Trade & International Relations (TIR) directorate of MPI's Policy & Trade Branch.
As part of this role, you will:
- Follow and provide analysis for senior officials and ministers on a variety of international environmental and sustainability issues and processes relevant to the primary sector
- Provide international trade policy and market access colleagues with information and analysis of trade-related environmental and sustainability issues
- Work with MPI's domestic policy teams and other agencies to ensure alignment between national and international environmental policy processes
- Engage with industry stakeholders as necessary to understand the needs and interests of the primary sector
- Help support the delivery of MPI's Action Plan and the Government's overall goals for the primary sector with respect to sustainability and trade.
The role includes opportunities to:
- Represent New Zealand in bilateral, plurilateral and multilateral environmental forums
- Develop in-depth knowledge on international environmental and sustainability issues processes as they affect the primary sector
- Develop skills in negotiating, stakeholder management, and project management
- Contribute to shaping New Zealand's international sustainable agriculture and trade agenda.
Given the international context of this role, some domestic and offshore travel may be required, and you may be asked to work outside of standard work hours at times.
About You - Mōu
The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate strong interpersonal and communication skills, a solution focussed approach, and being comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.
Ideally you will have had some experience in the public sector and will have completed a degree relevant to the subject area. Experience in applying trade and economic policy to problems and engaging with international counterparts would be an advantage as would consultation and engagement experience with stakeholders.
You will be able to demonstrate:
- Experience using a range of oral, written, and visual mediums to communicate effectively in diverse situations
- Critical thinking and analytical skills to solve policy problems
- Strong interpersonal and influencing skills and the ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups
- Enthusiasm and strong team working skills.
You do not need to meet all the role requirements to apply. We offer a breadth of development and learning opportunites and will welcome an application if you think you could make a great fit.
About the Team - Mō tō mātou Rōpū
The purpose of the IES team is to ensure New Zealand's primary sector environmental and sustainability policies, practices and interests are protected and promoted internationally. Our work takes place at the bilateral, plurilateral, and multilateral level, with the aim of maintaining and enhancing trade access in key export markets.
The team also tracks and analyses relevant international environmental and sustainability policy risks and opportunities, feeding this analysis back into the domestic policy system. The team is Wellington-based and the role reports to the Manager, International Environment and Sustainability.
About MPI - Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua
We're passionate about growing prosperity in the sector while ensuring respect for Kaitiaki – guardianship of our natural resources.
Benefits of working at MPI - Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Ahu Matua
- Additional MPI leave days
- Ability to purchase extra annual leave
- Career development and internal opportunities across the branch and organisation.
Are you ready to make a difference? - Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi whaitake?
We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapū, whānau and hāpori.
We aspire to reflect the diverse communities we serve, so we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, and identities. As an organisation, we are committed to making Ministry for Primary Industries Manatū Ahu Matua a great place to work for all.
In your cover letter we'd like to know about you, your values; your interest and motivations for this role; the abilities, strengths, personal attributes and diverse perspectives you will bring to the role and this organisation, which may have also been gained outside of the workforce.
To view the position description and/or apply online, please click “APPLY” or visit the MPI Careers Site. To apply, you must hold the right to work in New Zealand or be eligible to obtain it – click here to find out more about work visa eligibility and options.
Applications close at 11:59pm Wednesday 25th February
If you have any questions about the role, please email george.mitrakas@mpi.govt.nz
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