Policy Analyst
Kaitātari Kaupapa
This job is sometimes referred to by alternative titles
Policy analysts gather and analyse information to assist in the planning, development, interpretation and review of government or industrial policies.
Pay
Graduate policy analysts usually earn
$47K-$57K per year
Policy analysts with two or more years' experience usually earn
$55K-$77K per year
Source: State Services Commission, 'Human Resource Capability Survey', 2015.
Job opportunities
Vocational pathwaysPay
Pay for policy analysts varies depending on experience, responsibility, and the organisation they work for.
- New graduates start on $47,000 to $57,000 a year.
- After two years' experience policy analysts can earn up to $77,000.
- Policy analysts working in senior positions as principal advisers may earn up to $170,000.
Policy analysts tend to earn more if they work in an economic or financial role and have the appropriate qualifications.
The average yearly pay for policy analysts working in the public sector in 2015 was about $94,000.
Policy analysts working in the private sector usually earn a higher salary than their equivalents in the public sector, particularly if they work in an economic or financial role and have the appropriate qualifications.
Source: State Services Commission, 'Human Resource Capability Survey', 2015.
(This information is a guide only. Find out more about the figures and diagrams in our job information)
What you will do
Policy analysts may do some or all of the following:
- identify issues (such as ethical, legal or political problems) to research and analyse
- interpret and review existing policies
- consult with interested parties
- evaluate options and make recommendations for new policies to senior management and government
- provide advice and recommendations to senior management and government
- prepare speeches, correspondence and Cabinet papers for ministers
- write and present reports.
Skills and knowledge
Policy analysts need to have:
- knowledge of political, economic, social and cultural aspects of New Zealand life
- an understanding of how parliament operates and government policy is developed
- knowledge of legislative processes and the Treaty of Waitangi
- knowledge of research methods
- skill in analysing and interpreting information
- report writing, planning, problem-solving, and time management skills.
Working conditions
Policy analysts:
- usually work regular business hours
- work in offices
- may travel domestically to do research or attend meetings and conferences.
What's the job really like?
Samantha Oakley
Policy Analyst
How would you describe a typical day as a policy analyst?
"My team and I analyse issues and opportunities for ethnic communities in New Zealand. We provide advice (supported by evidence we've found) to the Minister of Ethnic Communities and other government people. So a typical day involves desk research and meetings, with people from organisations whose work also impacts on ethnic communities."
What are some of the challenges you face?
"We can work under some very tight deadlines. It can be difficult to ensure that our advice covers every relevant angle when working under pressure."
What is the best part about the job?
"I believe I do really meaningful work, supporting ethnic communities and the development of New Zealand as a whole."
What advice would you give someone wanting to be a policy analyst?
"Study what you enjoy. Expertise in the public sector comes from a lot of different backgrounds and different fields of study – many paths lead to policy."
What is the best project you've worked on?
"We have been developing a diversity and inclusion framework, which we are hoping will assist other government agencies to understand and value ethnic diversity and inclusion. This means workplaces should be more diverse. It will encourage and ensure responsiveness to ethnic communities in general across the public sector."
Entry requirements
There are no specific entry requirements to become a policy analyst. However, you usually require a degree in one of the following areas:
- social science
- history
- arts
- economics
- resource management
- law.
Employers often prefer candidates to have completed a postgraduate qualification.
Secondary education
A tertiary entrance qualification is required to enter further training. NCEA Level 3 English, maths with statistics, economics, geography and history are useful.
Personal requirements
Policy analysts need to be:
- perceptive and inquisitive
- able to work well in a team
- motivated, enquiring and patient
- able to work well under pressure, as they need to meet deadlines.
Policy employers are always looking for someone with good analytical and writing skills, but that is by no means a stand-alone skill. You also need to be good at managing relationships with other people and organisations, and be prepared to take initiative.
Rawinia Lewis
Policy Analyst
Useful experience
Useful experience for policy analysts includes:
- building and maintaining relationships with clients
- research and interpreting statistics
- community work
- work in a government agency.
Find out more about training
What are the chances of getting a job?
High turnover among policy analysts
Policy analysts tend to stay in the job for a short time, which means vacancies arise regularly.
They often shift, either:
- to another part of the public sector, to gain experience
- into the private sector, where they can earn more money.
Major growth of policy analyst jobs restricted by government spending
Government policy analyst salaries are paid using taxpayer funds, so when government organisations want to hire more policy analysts, transparent processes must be followed. Any extra spending must be applied for and signed off by top level managers. This is a time-consuming and costly process, so employing more policy analysts is unlikely unless there is an urgent need.
Most policy analysts employed by government
Most policy analysts work for government departments and organisations, but other employers include:
- local authorities (city and district councils)
- private companies
- unions, community organisations and business or interest groups such as Federated Farmers.
Sources
- Gerondias, S, senior recruitment consultant, Hays Recruitment, Careers New Zealand interview, March 2016.
- State Services Commission, 'Human Resource Capability in the New Zealand State Services 2015', 26 November 2015, (www.ssc.govt.nz).
- Thomas, J, general manager, knowledge and educational performance, Careers New Zealand, Careers New Zealand interview, February 2016.
Progression and specialisations
Policy analysts may start off in junior positions before progressing to more senior or management roles. They may also move between the private and public sectors.
Policy analysts research and analyse information to develop policies
Last updated 29 May 2017