Inland Revenue Department

JE624

Inland Revenue Department

Te Tari Taake

Position Description

Job Title:Senior Policy Analyst

Grade:PA3

Location:National Office

Business Unit:Policy Team

Business Group:Policy Advice Division

Purpose

The Senior Policy Analyst is responsible for undertaking the design of policy based on strong and robust research and analytical skills. Strategic awareness of the role Inland Revenue plays in Government’s fiscal strategy is vital.

The Senior Policy Analyst will have a key role in evaluating the effectiveness of the policy implemented. The Senior Policy Analyst will be responsible to the “Manager” of the area they are working on and may be required to work in any of the Policy priorities including Business Tax, Tax and Social Policy core business work, International Tax or Policy Development.

The context in which duties are undertaken is most usually the process of monitoring, analysing and making recommendations for reporting to the Minister of Revenue on policy issues relating to tax laws as they impact upon the economy as a whole, and to specific sectors and/or individuals and groups within the tax system. All work will be achieved within the approach outlined in the Generic Tax Policy Process.

The work the Senior Policy Analyst will be involved in, will be part of the Policy work programme, and require Analysts to be applied to work as the priorities of the work programme and Government dictate. In work assigned, the Senior Policy Analyst (Policy) should work with a minimum of supervision.

The Senior Policy Analyst will have a well developed ability to apply good knowledge of core subjects (eg. GST, Income Tax) to key tax policy issues. In carrying out this work the Senior Policy Analyst will work independently on tasks set, and produce specified outputs.

Major Functions

Investigate and report on practical and sound policy and legislative proposals taking cognisance of the administrative compliance, revenue and economic effects.

Keep up to date with the latest developments in taxation, economics, business and related disciplines.

Provide advice and keep up to date on priorities between tasks.

Guide and coach other Analysts in task priorities and policy work.

Initiate and maintain networks with the private sector (including tax professionals) and relevant Government agencies.

Draw to the attention of the Manager, issues which may have impact on the Inland Revenue Acts.

Liaise with the Legislation Drafting Unit in the development of draft legislation, including liaison with Parliamentary counsel as required and monitoring the drafting process.

Assist in the implementation of new legislation, including participating in training seminars for Departmental staff.

Prepare materials that can be used as publicity materials where appropriate eg: ministerials, speech notes, press releases within agreed timeframes.

Carry out effective Quality Assurance activities products developed.

Conduct reviews of the efficiency and effectiveness of the legislative measures used to implement Government’s taxation policies.

Represent the Department where appropriate eg: Select Committees, Cabinet Committees, Caucus Committees and parliamentary sessions.

Undertake all actions necessary to maintain and assure extensive and wide networks both within and outside Inland Revenue.

Contribute to organisational wide initiatives by maintaining an awareness of issues and taking personal responsibility where appropriate. Initiatives include EEO, quality management, health and safety in the workplace, ethical conduct and compliance in tax affairs.

Functional Relationships

Responsible to:Policy Manager

Responsible for:Nil

Relationships with:Internal Stakeholders

Assistant/Senior Policy Analysts and Senior Policy Advisors within the Policy area

External Stakeholders

Decision Making/Delegations

Personnel Delegations:Nil

Financial Delegations:Nil

Technical Delegations:Nil

Best-suited Criteria

Degree
Req’d* / Essential
3 / Demonstrated technical knowledge and ability in two or more of the following: “Economic Analysis/Public Policy”, “Financial & Accounting Analysis” and/or “Legal Analysis”; together with proven “Tax Analysis” skills.
3 / Effective “Interpersonal and “Customer Orientation” skills, together with a demonstrated ability to work in a team.
3 / Proven “Team Skills” and “Communication Skills”, including excellent writing skills.
2 / Demonstrated “Government/Parliament Awareness” and “Commercial Awareness”.
3 / Demonstrated “Problem Solving” and “Policy Development” skills.

For detailed descriptions of each of the terms shown in speech marks in the above listed criteria, see the competency model for the position.

*Degree Required:The minimum level of competence sought at recruitment.

1: Potential - shows competence in some aspects.

2: Competent in some important aspects.

3: Fully competent.

1March 2011

Competency Profile

Title:Senior Policy Analyst

Reports to:Policy Manager

Customer Focus (15) / Is dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; gets first-hand customer information and uses it for improvements in products and services; acts with customers in mind; establishes and maintains effective relationships with customers and gains their trust and respect.
Integrity and Trust (29) / Is widely trusted; is seen as a direct, truthful individual; can present the unvarnished truth in an appropriate and helpful manner; keeps confidences; admits mistakes; doesn’t misrepresent him/herself for personal gain.
Peer Relationships (42) / Can quickly find common ground and solve problems for the good of all; can represent his/her own interests and yet be fair to all other groups; can solve problems with peers with a minimum of noise; is seen as a team player and is cooperative; easily gains trust and support of peers; encourages collaboration; can be candid with peers.
Functional and Technical Skills (24) / Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills to do their specific job at a high level of accomplishment.
Decision Quality (17) / Makes good decisions (without considering how much time it takes) based upon a mixture of analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgment. Most of his/her solutions and suggestions turn out to be correct and accurate when judged over time. Sought out by others for advice and solutions.
Interpersonal Savvy (31) / Relates well to all kinds of people-up, down, and sideways, inside and outside the organization. Builds appropriate rapport. Builds constructive and effective relationships. Uses diplomacy and tact. Can diffuse even high-tension situations comfortably.
Negotiating (37) / Can negotiate skillfully in tough situations with both internal and external groups. Can settle differences with minimum noise. Can win concessions without damaging relationships. Can be both direct and forceful as well as diplomatic. Gains trust quickly of other parties to the negotiations. Has a good sense of timing.
Perseverance (43) / Pursues everything with energy, drive, and a need to finish. Seldom gives up before finishing, especially in the face of resistance or setbacks.
Planning (47) / Accurately scopes out length and difficulty of tasks and projects. Sets objectives and goals. Breaks down work into the process steps. Develops schedules and task/people assignments. Anticipates and adjusts for problems and roadblocks. Measures performance against goals. Evaluates results.
Political Savvy (48) / Can manoeuvre through complex political situations effectively and quietly. Is sensitive to how people and organizations function. Anticipates where the land mines are and plans his/her approach accordingly. Views corporate politics as a necessary part of organizational life and works to adjust to that reality. Is a maze-bright person.
Problem Solving (51) / Uses rigorous logic and methods to solve difficult problems with effective solutions. Probes all fruitful sources for answers. Can see hidden problems. Is excellent at honest analysis. Looks beyond the obvious and doesn't stop at the first answers.
Communication (67) / Is able to communicate clearly and succinctly in a variety of settings and styles. Can get messages across that have the desired effect.

1March 2011