POLICY ANALYST

This job is sometimes referred to as Policy Adviser

Policy analysts gather and analyses information to assist in the planning, development, interpretation and review of government or industrial policies.

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 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. Bursary or NCEA Level 3 English, maths with statistics, economics, geography and history are useful.

PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS

Policy analysts need to be: perceptive able to work well in a team motivated, enquiring, and patient able to work well under pressure, as

they need to meet deadlines.

USEFUL EXPERIENCE

Useful experience for policy analysts includes:

customer service experience community work work in non-governmental

organizations research and interpreting statistics.

PAY

Pay for policy analysts varies depending on experience, responsibility, and whether they work for public or private organizations.

According to the State Services Commissions' Human Capability Survey 2012, the average pay for policy analysts working in the public sector was $87,666.

Policy analysts working in senior positions or the public sector can earn up to $150,000.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Policy analysts may do some or all of the following: identify issues to research and analyse interpret and review existing policies consult with interested parties evaluate options and make recommendations

for new policies 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 a particular country’s 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 analyzing 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.

Mark Ross - Policy Analyst

WHAT'S THE JOB REALLY LIKE?

SMALL WINS WORTH CELEBRATING

"We can make a big difference to the nation's laws and rules, so it's an influential position. We have some major victories but sometimes it might be something as simple as getting a word changed in legislation. Even just changing the word 'shall' to 'may' can be an important win for us."

WHAT DOES THE JOB INVOLVE?

Mark heads a team of 20 policy analysts at Federated Farmers. They are constantly poring over draft local or central government reports, plans and legal documents to assess the effects they could have on farmers and their businesses.

"We have a different focus from policy analysts who work for central government, but generally everyone is doing the same thing – a lot of writing and analytical work and always trying to get the best outcomes for those they represent."

WHO MARK LOOKS FOR IN A POLICY ANALYST

When Mark is filling vacancies on the team, he looks for methodical people with a mature outlook and above-average writing skills. "You need to have a good background either in economics, law, or maybe science, and strong writing and reading skills. It helps to have a broad general knowledge and an open mind, along with an interest in politics."

WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF GETTING A JOB?

Average Job opportunities for policy analysts are

average due to restrictions on government spending.

The tightening of government department budgets has restricted the growth of policy analysts. According to Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment estimates, the number of policy analysts increased by about 3% between 2010 and 2012.

HIGH TURNOVER OF POLICY ANALYSTS CREATES REGULAR OPENINGS IN PUBLIC SECTOR

Turnover among policy analysts working in the public sector is among the highest for all public sector jobs. This is because people sometimes stay in the role for a short time before moving into the private sector, where they can earn more money.

MOST POLICY ANALYSTS EMPLOYED BY GOVERNMENT

Most policy analysts work for government departments, but other employers include: local authorities (city and district councils) private companies unions, community organisations and

business or interest groups such as Federated Farmers.

FUNDACION ACCION CONTRA EL HAMBRE

ACF International