THE CURRENT LANDSCAPE OF RECRUITMENT

As we shift between alert levels, the upturn in the volume and quality of candidates seeking new employment opportunities has continued.

Working-from-home, faced with the pressures and realities of Covid-19, has prompted them to focus more on where their careers are, what is important to them, and what they want their futures to look like.

The contracting market is now also very different to what it was pre-lockdown.

Pressures over increased costs have resulted in an overall reduction in the number of hourly rate contract roles, highlighting an increased preference for fixed-term engagements. While it is a more competitive market, however, there is still a significant shortage of skills in the areas of policy and projects. There is a high demand for experienced hourly rate contractors who can hit the ground running to deliver on high priority pieces of work.

What Next?

Historically, the months leading up to Christmas have been very busy with most agencies wanting to get their recruitment rounds completed before the summer shutdown. This time around, however, the looming elections have caused agencies to step on the brakes and slow down. The delayed elections have given the market a shorter window of opportunity to hire before the end of the year. 

But do not let this discourage you, because what we now have instead is an opportunity for agencies, contractors, and candidates alike to engage with their recruitment partners to prepare for when the market picks up.

Given rapidly changing landscape of work, we have made it our business to keep our finger on the pulse to ensure that our team remains in an excellent position to advise candidates and clients on the best way forward.

If you'd like to have a chat around your recruitment and team requirements, feel free to contact us at any time on (04) 473-6699.

Cheers,

Clive, James, Lisa, Marissa, and Georgie

PROGRAMME / PROJECT POLICY MANAGER

Experience:

This contractor specialises in policy management, programme management, developing, implementing and reviewing policies and systems. Currently a policy lead on several projects at a large social government agency, they are soon to be available for a new contract role. Prior to this they were a Policy Manager with the Joint Venture Family Violence and Sexual Violence, as well as a Policy Programme Manager at Inland Revenue. This contractor also has extensive contract experience of over 15 years in the public sector. They have previously worked as a Manager for Deloitte Touché Tohmatsu’s Management Solutions unit. Their core experience includes problem solving, championing policy best practice and process, stakeholder engagement, communication, training, facilitation and managing budgets and people.

Skills:

• Policy Programme and Project Management 
• Policy Management 
• Strategy/Planning/Governance
• Analysis and Review
• Machinery of government
• Cross-agency expertise
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Qualifications:

• Bachelors of Science, Canterbury University, 1986
• Masters of Regional and Resource Planning, University of Otago, 1988
• COMU sponsored Governance training programme, 2008
• Registered Prince2 Foundation and Practitioner 2011 and 2017

Hourly rate expectations: $168.27-192.30 per hour including AoG plus GST

Reference ID: 12526

Contact: James Atkin or Lisa Johnston (04) 473-6699

SENIOR POLICY ADVISOR

Experience:

This senior policy advisor has several years’ experience delivering operational and regulatory policy at a variety of Ministries which include MfE, CAA, MHUD, and most recently, NZTA and Callaghan Innovation. 

While at MHUD they led the development of budget initiatives for Budget 2019, as well as policy development on critical projects such as the review of funding and regulatory settings to increase housing supply, and advising on the Government’s homeless work programme. They have represented MHUD at external stakeholder meetings. 

At NZTA, they have been the policy lead on an operational policy project involving consultation and submissions analysis. In addition, their work covers substantial experience with briefings, Cabinet papers, and responses to letters to the Minister. Further, in a recent role with Callaghan Policy they were the lead on the contribution to a funding review led by MBIE.

Skills:

• Project lead on high profile multi-agency development projects 
• Operational and strategic policy initiatives
• Social sector policy
• Stakeholder engagement – internal and external (agency)
• Management of the consultation process
• Briefings, Cabinet papers, and responses to letters to the Minister
• High output with the ability to develop and write effective policy advise at speed
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills
• Excellent communication skills – written and verbal
• Extensive experience producing A3s as visual aids for outlining policy strategy
• Self-starter with a positive ‘can do’ attitude

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Arts, Victoria University of Wellington & University of Otago, 2008 – 2011
• Emerging Leaders Programme, Victoria University of Wellington, 2017
• Prince2 Project Management, 2016
• Certified Prince2 Practitioner
• PEOPLECERT
• Economic Principles and Application in Public Policy, Victoria University of Wellington, 2016

Hourly rate expectations: $144.23 per hour including AoG, plus GST
Reference ID: 29526

Contact: James Atkin or Lisa Johnston (04) 473-6699

PROGRAMME / PROJECT COORDINDATOR

Experience:

This hard-working, motivated, and enthusiastic contractor has a proven track record working within the Programme Management Office (PMO). They have held Senior/Project Coordinator roles at NZDF, ACC, MBIE and MoJ; as well as other private commercial organisations. They are accustomed to working in fast-paced environments and can remain calm under pressure, particularly when dealing with multiple projects at the same time.

Skills:

• Programme/Project coordination
• Supporting a large project team
• Building key relationships
• Maintenance and coordination of core project management registers and documentation, including; risks and issues registers, dependencies registers, schedules, and others.
• Prepare necessary presentation materials for all meetings and providing information and regular support to stakeholders.
• Asset management which includes, monthly audits, licensing and maintaining an asset register on a regular basis.  
• Provide financial assistance and support across using SAP, including raising purchase orders, resolving issues with invoicing, monthly  billing and queries. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Hourly rate expectations: $78.12 - 84.13 per hour including AoG plus GST
Reference ID: 34047

Contact: James Atkin or Lisa Johnston (04) 473-6699

SENIOR ADVISOR

Experience:

This contractor is an experienced government advisor and business writer with a longstanding commitment to producing high quality work. They hold substantial legal, policy, and negotiations experience, as well as a strong understanding of the machinery of government. Their breadth of experience has generated a flexible, inquiring working style, along with highly developed analytical skills and sound judgement.

Most recently working as an Operational Policy Analyst, and previously a Senior Government Services Advisor at a large government department; their roles have covered leading, developing, and writing new policy, procedure and guidance for a government law enforcement function, and significantly improving the quality of, and the Minister’s satisfaction with, advice through individual document review and coaching. 

Skills:

• Operational policy
• Legislation
• Compliance and enforcement
• Legal and analytical
• Writing for Ministers: briefings, cabinet papers, PQs
• Government service and machinery of government
• Treaty settlements
• Annual reporting 
• Working with agility and empathy to meet business and user needs and create trust and confidence.
• Passionate about plain language and all my work reflects this.
• Excellent relationship management 

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Laws (first-class honours) and Bachelor of Arts (history)
  University of Canterbury 
  1994-1998
• Technical Communication paper, A+
  Massey University, 2016
• Web Writing paper, A+
  Open Polytechnic, 2016

Hourly rate expectations: $120.19 per hour including AoG plus GST

Reference ID: 33977

Contact: James Atkin or Lisa Johnston (04) 473-6699

MANAGER

Experience:

In their current role they are leading three small teams to deliver policy advice, ministerial servicing, corporate planning and reporting, international engagement and government facing stakeholder engagement and communications.

In this same role, they have developed a good team structure and have improved working relationships with other agencies. 

They have had significant experience as a manager.

Skills:

• People management
• Collaboration
• Strategic planning
• Analysis
• Policy development
• Communication
• Relationship management

Qualifications:

• Master of Arts (Political Studies, Distinction)
  University of Otago, 2006-2007

• Bachelor of Arts (Combined Honours in Political Studies and Psychology, First Class)
  University of Otago, 2002-2005

Salary expectations: $160,000.00
Reference ID: 4686

Contact: Clive Horne or Georgie Carter on (04) 473-6699

PRINCIPAL 

Experience:

This candidate currently works as a Senior Analyst and is working and leading numerous policy projects. 

They are experienced with legislation and regulatory policy. Their roles have included engaging with a range of stakeholders across Government. They are skilled at coaching and mentoring staff.

Skills:

• Ministerial Briefings
• Policy advice
• Economics
• Cabinet Papers
• Discussion Documents
• Regulatory Impact Statement
• Procurement documents
• Engaging with stakeholders across industry, government and civil society

Qualifications:

• Master of Arts in EU Law (merit)
  King’s College London 

• Bachelor of Law
  Bachelor of Arts 
  Victoria University of Wellington 

Salary expectations: $130,000.00
Reference ID: 30311

Contact: Clive Horne or Georgie Carter on (04) 473-6699

SENIOR  

Experience:

This candidate is currently a Senior Policy Adviser. During their time they have accumulated significant policy experience during a variety of roles across the public sector. 

They are experienced in oral and written briefings to the senior management, Ministers and Select Committee; writing regulatory impact assessments; developing Cabinet papers; responding to oral and written parliamentary questions; providing second opinion advice; completing Official Information Act requests; and drafting Ministerial correspondence.

Skills:

• Develop and use core policy skills
• Analysis
• Advice
• Communication
• Relationship management
• Planning oral and written briefings to the senior management, Ministers and Select Committee
• Writing regulatory impact assessments
• Developing Cabinet papers

Qualifications:

• 2006-2008 | Master of Science with 1st class Honours | Victoria University of Wellington Major: Human Geography, Minors: Economics, Development Studies

• 2002-2005 | Bachelor of Commerce and Administration | Victoria University of Wellington Major: Economic

• 2002-2005 | Bachelor of Science | Victoria University of Wellington Major: Human Geography Minors: Environment Studies, Development Studies

Salary expectations: $110,000.00
Reference ID: 17944

Contact: Clive Horne or Georgie Carter on (04) 473-6699

ADVISOR

Experience:

This candidate is currently working as a Research Economist. The role involves providing a range of research to clients. This research is used to inform local and Central Government Policy. 

The role has given them experience in writing reports for a wide audience. 
They have experience in economic modelling and impact assessments.

Skills:

• Economics 
• Research skills and knows how that can inform policy
• Managing projects
• Looking at data and processing information
• Relationships with stakeholders
• Can communicate with a wide range of audiences

Qualifications:

• 2015 - Master of Commerce (Economics)
  Victoria University Wellington, New Zealand
   
• 2013 - Bachelor of Commerce (Economics and Finance) Victoria 
  University Wellington, New Zealand

Salary expectations: $80,000.00
Reference ID: 33965

Contact: Clive Horne or Georgie Carter on (04) 473-6699

CAN'T FIND WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR?

Feel free to contact the team directly to see more contractor and permanent candidates.