Senior Advisor, Strategic Policy

Type: Permanent
Location: Wellington
Applications close: 5pm Wednesday 13th May May 2026

The purpose of the Senior Policy Advisor is to:

• Provide policy advice and analysis on emergency management policy matters including changes to the CDEM Act National CDEM Plan and other secondary
  legislation
• Contribute to NEMAs stewardship of the CDEM Act 2002 National CDEM Plan and Guide and National Disaster Resilience Strategy.
• Support NEMA in honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi and progressing true partnership through policy advice.
• Provide high quality advice during emergency responses and recoveries.
• Engage on policy proposals across central government and with iwi/Māori the emergency management sector and the wider public

Essential skills/experience:

• A relevant tertiary qualification or an equivalent body of knowledge and experience.
• Experience in persuading influencing building and maintaining effective collaborative relationships.
• Excellent written capability and ability to present complex ideas in an easily understood format.
• Understanding of Cabinet and wider Machinery of Government processes

As NEMA is an operational agency there may be a requirement to respond to emergency activations in the event of a national emergency response. This may include potentially long hours and challenging working conditions e.g. an emergency could occur at any time of the day or night and may require working shifts and/or working weekends. NEMA provides thorough training prior to you being required to assist in a will do all in its power to support staff in meeting their work and family responsibilities during an emergency. The welfare and wellbeing of our staff is of utmost importance.

Your response role will be in the Policy function.

Due to the nature of our role in Emergency Management NEMA has a very dynamic work environment and as a small agency staff are often required to pivot and change focus on their work at short notice. Attributes of adaptability agility resilience and curiosity are all required on a daily basis in and out of times of emergency response.

Ko wai mātou About us

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) provides national leadership to New Zealands distributed emergency management system. NEMAs primary focus is on the performance and capability of the emergency management system as a whole across all hazards and all risks and the 4 Rs of risk reduction readiness response and recovery.

NEMA values diversity and inclusion. We want our workforce to reflect the diversity of our communities. We value and respect the contributions of our people with diverse backgrounds experiences skills and perspectives.

We are committed to doing our part to deliver on the Crowns commitments to Māori under Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We strive to actively build te Ao Māori perspectives and capability into our day to day work values and practices.

Ta matou e tukuWhat we offer

We pride ourselves on the quality of our staff and understand the importance of fostering a working environment where excellence is recognised and where staff are encouraged to develop their own talents and potential. We welcome diversity in all its forms and we believe it is a strength.

NEMA values staff health safety and wellbeing and a positive work life balance is encouraged.

The indicative BASE salary range for this role is $108018 - $117951

NEMA offers other benefits such as Department leave Wellbeing allowance Vision allowances and more.

Whakaritenga HaumaruSecurity Requirements

Due to the security requirements of this role applicants must be a New Zealand citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident.

Contact us at for any questions.

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