(Senior/Principal) Advisor Economics (Investment Assessment) 12 month fixed term

There’s a good chance you've heard of the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, Te Waihanga. We’re small (but mighty) and haven’t been around long by government standards. But our job is as big as it gets, helping New Zealand get the right infrastructure, whether it’s transport connections that get us from a to b, water and power connections needed to support affordable homes, or schools and hospitals that support our communities.  

Te Waihanga seeks to transform infrastructure for all New Zealanders. By doing so our goal is to lift the economic performance of Aotearoa and improve the wellbeing of all New Zealanders

Just some of our achievements include developing New Zealand’s first infrastructure strategy which sets a direction for decades to come, as well as ground-breaking research into the roots of the housing crisis, the efficiency of our infrastructure sector, recommendations for our health infrastructure while also maintaining a pipeline that provides insight into New Zealand’s planned infrastructure projects.

This is why we need you.

Role purpose I Te Kaupapa o te Tūranga

We’re looking for someone to help our Economics team with our Infrastructure Priorities Programme (IPP). Our IPP  provides  a standardised process to assess infrastructure proposals at set points in the planning process culminating in a list of vetted problems, proposals, and projects available to decision makers and the public.

The purpose of the Investment Assessment Advisor (IPP) role is to provide Te Waihanga with advice related to the merits of infrastructure investment proposals.

This role will be comprised of four main responsibilities:

• Assessment of the merits of infrastructure investment proposals against the Commission’s Assessment Framework.
• Lifting the capability and capacity of the sector through the delivery of training modules and targeted feedback to investment proponents.
• Contribution to the development of best practice guidance regarding investment in infrastructure.
• Contribution to research to improve knowledge of long-term infrastructure needs.

We encourage applicants from those with a background in economic evaluation of investments, investment proposal development or development of organisational investment plans.

We will appoint either at the Senior Advisor level as an individual contributor or Principal Advisor level as both a contributor and technical lead.

You may also be involved in additional responsibilities including:

• Supporting capability and capacity building of the sector,
• Development of robust guidance documents, and
• Supporting knowledge building of investment needs.

To do this you will be experienced in things like | E riro ai i a koe tēnei tūranga me whai wheako koe ki ngā tūmahi pēnei i ēnei: 

• Economic evaluation of investment proposals, policies, or interventions, for instance in research or project appraisal contexts.
• Investment proposal development, for instance in economic appraisal or business case development.
• Development of organisational investment plans, such as long-term plans, investment strategies or asset management plans.

You will also have | Me whai hoki e koe: 

• Degree or tertiary qualification in economics, or equivalent knowledge, skills and experience gained in the workforce, and a commitment to ongoing professional development. A post-graduate qualification in economics is preferable with a specialisation relevant to infrastructure, such as urban economics, trade economics, or transport economics.
• Strong analytical skills, ideally including familiarity with economic appraisal techniques, such as cost benefit analysis.
• Knowledge of business case best practices and the core components of strong investment proposals.

About our team | Mō te tīma

Te Waihanga is what’s called an Autonomous Crown Entity or, even better, an ACE. We think about the whole infrastructure system - roads, waterpipes, powerlines, you name it – and our job is to give advice and uncover the insights that can make it all work as well as it can, supporting an Aotearoa that’s great for the generations to come.  

Our people are smart and passionate about this stuff.  They’re friendly and, this being a relatively small organisation, it’s easy to work with anyone here and to have an impact. We don’t do hierarchy or stand on ceremony.  

We also value our people, and it’s important to us that you feel welcome, supported, and respected.  

How to Apply | Tono mai 

Please take a look at the job description on our website (https://tewaihanga.govt.nz/about-us/careers) and get in touch. We’d like to hear from you.  

To apply for this role, please email [email protected] 

Applications close on 26 June 2024

To be considered for this position you must have a legal right to live and work in New Zealand. 

Please note that we may begin shortlisting as we receive applications.

This is a 12-month fixed term role.