Senior Policy Advisor – Regulatory Reform
3-month hourly rate contract

Starting anytime in September through to Dec 2025

Wellington Based

Flexible working available but need to be in the office to get up to speed

Job Reference - JAA6438

We’re seeking an experienced Senior Policy Advisor to support a critical programme of regulatory reform work. This short-term contract role offers the chance to lead key policy deliverables and contribute to high-priority legislative and regulatory updates. We’re ideally seeking candidates with a strong background in regulatory or legislative policy and direct experience developing or amending rules or legislation.

Key Responsibilities:

In this role, you will:

• Develop realistic and actionable project plans in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
• Prepare robust background evidence briefs to inform policy advice – including reviewing research, analysing international approaches, and commissioning or assessing relevant data.
• Draft clear, concise ministerial briefings and Cabinet papers to support decision-making at the highest levels.

What We’re Looking For:

We’re after someone with demonstrated experience in:

• Public sector policy development and analysis, with sound political judgment and a deep understanding of policy-making processes.
• End-to-end delivery of large or complex policy projects, with a focus on successful implementation under tight timeframes.
• Regulatory frameworks and the machinery of government, including interpreting legislation, making changes to rules and working across multiple portfolios.
• Building effective relationships, with the ability to influence, collaborate, and work confidently across agencies and sectors.

If you're a proactive, politically astute advisor who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is ready to make a tangible impact through regulatory reform – we want to hear from you.

There is also the potential for contract extensions or permanent roles so we also welcome more general enquiries from senior or principal policy advisors with regulatory or legislative experience looking for longer term work.

Apply now for a September start by sending an updated CV and short cover letter to James@thejohnsongroup.co.nz quoting job reference JAA6438.