Principal Economist - Climate | Flexible

• New role
• High profile work
• Flexible working to support your work-life balance

Our purpose - He taiao tōnui mō ngā reanga katoa - a flourishing environment for every generation – be part of this exciting journey.

Mō tēnei tūrangi mahi | About this role 

We are looking for an experienced Principal Economist to provide high quality economic analysis, forecasts, and advice to the Climate Directorate to support the delivery of policy advice to the government. 

You will support the Directorate to ensure the economic impacts of the Climate Change work programmes are aligned with the desired outcomes. 

You will bring a strong economics focus, with a particular emphasis on how Aotearoa New Zealand meets its domestic and international targets, and the role of the Emissions Trading Scheme.  You will also support the delivery of the Emission Reduction Plan and National Adaptation Plan.  

A key focus of the role will be developing economic analysis capabilities across the climate change business groups.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience 

Our ideal candidate will bring: 

• quantative analytical and modelling skills
• the ability to present analysis clearly to a wide variety of audiences, often within tight timeframes
• an understanding of Climate Change policy, New Zealand's Emission Trading Scheme, and the Emissions Reduction Plan is desirable
• sound understanding of markets and market analysis
• strong communication and influencing skills
• an understanding of the machinery of government
• the ability to work comfortably in an environment of ambiguity
• commitment to developing your cultural capability and capacity in te ao Māori.

Salary range for this role is $155,491 to $190,044 pa.  Appointment within this range will be based on skills and experience.

Mō mātou | About us  

The Ministry's purpose - He taiao tōnui mō ngā reanga katoa - a flourishing environment for every generation.  

We offer: 

• a flexible by default approach to support your work-life balance
• agile working, allowing you variety and challenges across the organisation as we work as ‘One MfE'
• generous leave entitlements
• active social club and employee networks, including a Māori staff network
• opportunities for development and education.          

A key priority for the Ministry is Te Ao Māori. This means we work with our Treaty partner to advance Māori priorities for the environment and for environmental success. We will be confident and coordinated in our ongoing engagement with Māori and lead the natural resources system in engaging for success with tangata whenua. We will grow our capability and capacity to accurately reflect Māori views in our work.  An organisational priority is that we accurately reflect Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Te Ao Maori into our everyday work, by living our Te Ao Hurihuri Strategy through capability and capacity building.

Tono ināianei | Apply Now

Apply directly by completing the online application form and submit your CV and cover letter.  Note: your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the key skills required for this role.   

If you require further information about this position please contact Ngaire Howes at [email protected].  If you require a copy of the position description, please email [email protected]

The location for this role is flexible which means you can work anywhere in New Zealand and there is an option to work from home.  As a flexible friendly employer, we are happy to discuss solutions that may work for you and the business.  We value and care about enabling our people to work in a way that means they can work at their best. 

We embrace diversity and inclusion and are committed to equal opportunities. What's important to us is ‘he rau kotahi tangata' – embracing our multiple talents – by harnessing our diversity and being inclusive. We actively encourage applications from all backgrounds.  We are proud to be Rainbow Tick certified and recognise the diversity and uniqueness of our workforce and reaffirm our commitment to create a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. 

We want to ensure accessibility needs are well supported, so the recruitment process is fair and equitable for all. Therefore, please let us know if there is any support, we can provide to ensure the recruitment process is fully accessible to you. You can contact us at [email protected] if you would like to discuss any accessibility needs you may have.

From 18, May 2022 we have suspended our Covid-19 Vaccination Policy until further notice.  A My Vaccine Pass is no longer required by employees, visitors, suppliers and contractors.  However, the policy may be reinstated if new public health advice comes to hand or a new variant emerges.

Rā Katinga | Applications close: Sunday, 17 July 2022