Senior Policy Advisor - People Services

Senior Policy Advisor – People Group!

• Based at Police National Headquarters, Wellington


• Band J


• Police Employee


• Permanent, Full time


• NAV


• JR 5724939

E tῡ ki te kei o te waka, kia pakia koe e ngā ngaru o te wā.

Stand at the stern of the canoe and feel the spray of the future biting at your face

Mō te tūnga | About the role

New Zealand Police’s People Group plays a critical role in ensuring our workforce is safe, enabled, and equipped to deliver for our communities. We are looking for a Senior Policy Advisor to lead the development of high‑quality people and employment policy and support its successful implementation across Police.

This is a senior advisory, influential role for an experienced policy professional who enjoys working at the intersection of strategy, people systems, and operational reality. You will operate with a high degree of autonomy, often leading multi‑disciplinary project teams, and acting as a key contributor to system‑level people initiatives.

In this role you will be part of a collaborative and purpose-driven People Group and enjoy meaningful work within a complex, high-profile organisation. Demonstrated experience in people, workforce, or HR‑related policy as a senior HR business partner/advisor is highly desirable.

This is a high-impact role requiring exceptional stakeholder engagement, and the ability to communicate in writing.

Key Accountabilities:

As a Senior Policy Advisor in the People Group, you will:

• Lead and deliver complex people‑related policy from problem definition through to implementation and evaluation


• Provide trusted, strategic advice to senior leaders on workforce and human resources policy issues


• Shape policy that is evidence‑based, operationally practical, and aligned to Police priorities


• Support the successful implementation of policy change across a large, nationally dispersed organisation

Influence and collaborate with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders

He aha taau e kawe mai | What you’ll bring

• Strong experience in policy development and advice, ideally in a large or complex organisation


• Demonstrated analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to work through ambiguity


• Proven ability to influence, collaborate, and build credibility with senior stakeholders


• Experience supporting change and implementation, not just policy design


• The confidence to lead work programmes and provide sound advice in a high‑trust environment


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with an eye for clarity and impact

This role is Individual Contributor/Emerging Leader level. You can refer to Indicators for Success for further information on the requirements

To view the position description for this role please copy and paste this link into a new browser:

https://www.police.govt.nz/sites/default/files/pd/02-2026/senior_policy_advisor_-_people_group.pdf

Mo tātou | About us

New Zealand Police is the lead agency responsible for preventing crime and enhancing community safety. It works in partnership with individuals, communities, businesses, and other public sector agencies towards the vision of making New Zealand the safest country. Police is the government’s largest front-line response agency with around 15,000 staff in large and small communities all over New Zealand and in liaison and policing development roles overseas.

Your development is highly valued at NZ Police. Our employees enjoy significant investment in their development not only at an individual level, but also at the team and community practice level. We work hard to match you with work that will both play to your strengths and challenge you in new ways.

The work you’ll be engaged in is real, tangible work that directly benefits our frontline and communities. Taken all together, this means we can offer you career path opportunities to progress in your chosen profession and become a more well-rounded, experienced leader, with opportunities across the range of work we support.

To view more detailed information about our recruitment process along with further details about requirements please click below link:

Applicant Information Pack (External)

Tono ināianei | Apply now

If this position sounds like you, click apply now and submit a tailored CV. You will be required to submit an application form. Before confirmation of hire, pre-employment checks will be undertaken which include reference, drug and alcohol testing  and police vetting prior to any written offer being made.  

For further information on the application process, please copy and paste this URL: https://www.police.govt.nz/careers 

All applications must be submitted online and will not be accepted directly via email. All applicants must have the right to work in New Zealand.  

Utu ā-tau | Salary

This position is covered by a collective agreement and salary will commence between $110,425 and $117,014 dependent on skills and experience relevant to the role.  

If you are an internal applicant, you must apply internally through the police system. You must provide an alternative contact email address and state your future commitments should you be successful in the next stage of the recruitment process. 

Please note: Deadline for applications is 5:00 pm on 6th March 2026. Applications may be reviewed prior to the close date as well as contact made with candidates.

If you have any questions about this vacancy, please contact [email protected]