Senior Policy Advisor

Closing date: 22 Feb 2026 17:00 | Work Type: Permanent full-time | Salary range:$92,639 to $138,959

Make a real impact through high quality policy that improves outcomes for New Zealanders.

We are looking for an experienced Senior Policy Advisor to join our team and contribute to a significant, high-profile programme of work. If you thrive on complex policy challenges, enjoy working across the health and regulatory landscape, and want your advice to make a tangible difference for people across Aotearoa, this is the role for you.

About the role - Mō te tūranga

As a Senior Policy Advisor, you will lead and contribute to complex, system level policy work that spans multiple parts of the health and legislative system. You will work closely with colleagues across the Ministry of Health, Health New Zealand, Pharmac, and other government agencies, as well as clinical groups, consumers, patient advocacy groups, and external experts.

You will be part of a genuinely cross-agency environment where policy problems often sit across organisational boundaries. This means you will:

• Shape advice informed by diverse perspectives from across multiple agencies
• Lead or contribute to joint work programmes, cross-government groups, and multidisciplinary project teams
• Influence system-level decisions by bringing together insights from operational, regulatory, clinical, and strategic stakeholders.

You will:

• Provide authoritative, influential policy advice, including Board papers, Ministerial briefings, and consultation materials
• Lead or co-lead policy projects, driving analysis, problem definition, option development and delivery
• Navigate regulatory, legislative, and system-level policy issues
• Work collaboratively across teams and agencies to support well informed, workable policy solutions
• Mentor and support colleagues to build strong policy capability across the team

This role offers exposure to a wide range of policy challenges, the opportunity to shape system-level direction, and the ability to influence outcomes at a national level.

About you - Mōu

You will bring seasoned policy craft and strong experience working in the New Zealand public sector. You will be confident leading work, influencing others, and producing high quality advice for decision makers.

We are looking for someone with:

• 4-5+ years of central government policy experience, ideally at or near Senior Advisor level
• Ideally relevant tertiary and postgraduate qualifications in policy or economics or similarly analytical field
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment and lead complex policy projects and strategic policy development, from problem definition through to implementation
• Experience developing a range of policy advice such as Cabinet papers, Ministerial briefings, and cross-agency policy projects. Expertise in
• ing a variety of tools and frameworks in the policy development process
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with an eye for clear, well‑reasoned, plain‑English advice
• Experience engaging effectively with diverse stakeholders, and influencing with credibility and integrity

About Pharmac Te Pātaka Whaioranga | Ētahi kōrero mō Te Pātaka Whaioranga

• At Pharmac | Te Pātaka Whaioranga we endeavour to deliver the best health outcomes for all New Zealanders through investment in medicines and medical devices.
• We are a close-knit whānau with around 190 kaimahi. We take pride in what we do, work hard, and have fun along the way.
• Our values | ngā uruatanga, ground our behaviour and guide our thinking:

• Whakarongo - we listen with intent and empathy to understand
• Tūhono - we connect with people, communities, the health system and each other
• Wānanga - we draw on evidence and people's experiences to improve
• Māia - we challenge ourselves
• Kaitiakitanga - we safeguard wellbeing for New Zealanders, now and for the future

Joining Pharmac | Te Pātaka Whaioranga

We are a whānau centered organisation and understand the importance of maintaining a healthy work life balance. To support our kaimahi and their whānau we offer:

• Five weeks annual leave
• Additional paid leave for our end of year close-down period
• An annual $500 hauora payment for eligible kaimahi
• Health Insurance corporate discount with Southern Cross
• Paid Parental Leave support in addition to minimum legislative requirements
• Hybrid working - work from home up to two days per week.

At Pharmac | Te Pātaka Whaioranga we welcome all staff with a mihi whakatau during their first month. For kaimahi Māori, we offer mihi whakatau on your first day, where your whānau and manuhiri are welcome to attend. As you come through our waharoa, you will be welcomed into our support network.

We strive to represent Aotearoa and the diverse communities we serve. We are committed to championing workplace inclusion and acknowledge that in order to do their best work, we must foster a