We are looking for motivated graduates with:
an interest in transport
excellent written and verbal communication skills
advanced analytical abilities
an eye for detail
an eagerness to learn
an understanding of government processes and economic principles.
Make a difference to the future of New Zealand while getting excellent professional development opportunities.
What you will be part of
Transport is essential for the lives of every New Zealander. It allows us to access economic and social opportunities within New Zealand and across the globe. The government directly invests approximately $4 billion into the sector each year, primarily in the land transport system.
We are the government’s chief policy adviser on transport. We provide advice on the regulatory arrangements, funding, and investment needed to support a sound transport system, including land, aviation and maritime transport.
What you will be doing
The policy issues that we deliver are growing in priority and complexity. Our work in 2016 includes:
- providing advice on electric vehicles and other strategies to reduce the impact of the transport system on climate change
- designing the law to ensure New Zealand is able to benefit from new technologies such as unmanned aerial vehicles and self-driving vehicles
- exploring how to ensure transport keeps the regions connected and successful
- developing and assessing options for a well functioning transport system in Auckland looking out 30 years
- opening up our aviation markets by identifying and removing trade barriers
- work on the 2018 Government Policy Statement on Land Transport, which sets out the government’s priorities for transport, and how much government funding will be provided to the National Land Transport Fund.
Why the Ministry is a great place to work
We are committed to ongoing investment in our staff. This includes development of professional skills as well as opportunities to work on a wide range of policy issues. Our investment in staff is reflected in the highest engagement score in the public sector and top 4 ranking by the NZIER for the quality of our policy advice in 2015.
Who we work with
Transport is a diverse area requiring many organisations to collaborate and cooperate. We work closely with a number of Crown entities, such as the New Zealand Transport Agency, the Civil Aviation Authority, the Transport Accident Investigation Commission, and Maritime New Zealand, and with State-owned enterprises, such as KiwiRail. We also have regular have contact with local government, as well as other government ministries.
The way we work
In order to provide the very best policy advice, and to respond to the changing fiscal and technological environment, we recognised early on that a more flexible operating model and culture was required.
We have transformed ourselves from an organisation with a rigid structure where knowledge was siloed to a far more flexible operating model called the matrix model.
All staff have a ‘home team’ but can be allocated to projects based on their knowledge, interests and ability to deliver the work. This model provides opportunities for staff to develop their knowledge and experience by working on a range of policy projects.
This hands-on learning provides career development, and enables the Ministry to respond to the demands of changing priorities by operating flexibly by moving staff to projects where they are most needed and suited.
How we work
To help build a high-performing culture, we have developed behaviours that help us to be clear about our purpose and philosophy.
We believe that:
- transport connects us; it’s vital to society and the economy
- we see the big picture of the transport system
- we shape the transport system for the long term
- we ensure quality, innovation and value in everything we do
- we deliver results by working with and through others
- we are a great place to work where people thrive.
We demonstrate our spirit and character by being:
- savvy
- aspirational
- collaborative
- rigorous
- influential
- caring
- courageous.
We have a focus on continuing to improve levels of engagement through:
- providing challenging work
- regular performance discussions between managers and staff
- offering targeted development opportunities
- communicating regularly across the business
- refreshing tools and business systems to better enable staff to do their jobs
- celebrating success.
The applied Policy Adviser Development (a-PAD) programme
We strive to produce the highest quality policy advice. While our matrix model exposes policy staff to a range of projects, we also provide structured professional development opportunities for staff. We developed the applied Policy Adviser Development (a-PAD) programme in partnership with the Victoria University School of Government.
The a-PAD programme provides foundation knowledge and skills for policy advisers from public sector agencies. The programme brings together theory and practice – drawing on the knowledge and expertise of both academics and senior public sector practitioners.
Following satisfactory completion of four courses, including associated assessments, individuals will be awarded a Victoria University Post-graduate Certificate in Public Policy (PGCertPP).
Interested? Our 2017 Grad Programme is now open for applications.
Please send your:
- cover letter detailing how you meet our requirements and why you want to work at the Ministry of Transport
- Curriculum Vitae
- certified copies of your academic transcripts
to https://mot.careercentre.net.nz/Job/ by 11 September 2016.
If you have any questions, email Jane Reddiex at J.Reddiex@transport.govt.nz or 04 439 9261.
Visit www.transport.govt.nz/about/careers to read more about what we do, the transport system we are a part of and who some of our staff are or check out our flyer.