PY014
Inland Revenue Department
Te Tari Taake
Position Description
Job Title: Senior Policy Analyst, (Policy)
Grade: PA3
Location: National Office
Business Unit: Policy
Business Group:
Purpose
The Senior Policy Analyst (Policy) 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 (Policy) will have a key role in evaluating the effectiveness of the policy implemented. The Senior Policy Analyst (Policy) will be responsible to the “Manager” of the area they are working on. The Senior Policy Analyst (Policy) may be required to work in any of the Policy priorities including, Tax Act Rewrite, Ministerial Servicing, 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 (Policy) 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 (Policy) 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 (Policy) will work independently on tasks set, and produce specified outputs.
Major Functions
n Investigate and report on practical and sound policy and legislative proposals taking cognisance of the administrative compliance, revenue and economic effects.
n Keep up to date with the latest developments in taxation, economics, business and related disciplines.
n Provide advice and keep up to date on priorities between tasks.
n Guide and coach other Analysts in task priorities and policy work.
n Initiate and maintain networks with the private sector (including tax professionals) and relevant Government agencies.
n Draw to the attention of the “Manager”, issues which may have impact on the Inland Revenue Acts.
n Liaise with the Legislation Drafting Unit in the development of draft legislation, including liaison with Parliamentary counsel as required and monitoring the drafting process.
n Assist in the implementation of new legislation, including participating in training seminars for Departmental staff.
n Prepare materials that can be used as publicity materials where appropriate eg: ministerials, speech notes, Departmental circulars, press releases within agreed timeframes.
n Carry out effective Quality Assurance activities products developed.
n Conduct reviews of the efficiency and effectiveness of the legislative measures used to implement Government’s taxation policies.
n Represent the Department where appropriate eg: Select Committees, Cabinet Committees, Caucus Committees and parliamentary sessions.
n Undertake all actions necessary to maintain and assure extensive and wide networks both within and outside Inland Revenue.
n 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: “Manager”, or “Policy Manager”, (Policy)
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 .
DegreeReq’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.
1 February 2000
Self-Assessment Sheet IR AP2
Name: Position applied for: Vacancy number:
Senior Policy Analyst, (Policy)
Position applied for:
Senior Policy Analyst, (Policy)
Applicant’s signature: Date:
2
Policy Competency Model
· Senior Policy Analyst – General CompetenciesDescription
Self Management / · Prioritises own workload
· Displays constructive reaction to change
· Is able to manage own career development
Communication Skills
- oral / · Competently represents Inland Revenue at external meetings
· Effectively presents to external groups
Interpersonal / · Guidance and support for junior staff
· Maintains internal and external networks
· Is willing and able to take the initiative to help others
· Is aware of own actions and their effect on others
· An ability to take the lead on issues in meetings
Team Skills / · Conducts effective meetings
· Interacts with other professionals at an effective and technical level
· An ability to find common ground and build rapport
Problem Solving / · Anticipates problems and implements a strategy to avoid them
· Uses a problem solving framework
· Think analytically and conceptually
· Makes timely decisions
Customer Orientation / · Focused on delivering to the customer
· Understands quality principles
Policy Competency Model
· Senior Policy Analyst – Contextual CompetenciesDescription
Government/
Parliament
Awareness / · Has thorough understanding of MOR concerns regarding tax policy reform
· Has thorough understanding of constitutional processes and practices
· Has thorough understanding of IRD obligations to the Government and Parliament
· Has thorough understanding of the procedures for passing legislation/ regulations
Commercial
Awareness / · Has thorough knowledge of the issues and concerns of the private sector
Policy Competency Model
· Senior Policy Analyst – Technical CompetenciesDescription
The work undertaken by individual staff will dictate which competencies will be required
Economic Analysis/Public Policy / · Has comprehensive knowledge at either macro or micro levels
· Able to apply public economic principles to problem solving
· Knows major theoretical and empirical arguments
· Formulates both empirical and theoretical arguments
Financial & Accounting Analysis / · Has comprehensive knowledge of the principles and concepts of Financial and Accounting analysis
· Able to analyse complex tax issues from both a theoretical and a practical accounting perspective
· Demonstrates an appreciation of how tax practitioners apply tax law
Legal Analysis / · Has comprehensive knowledge of the principles and concepts of tax legislation/case law and ability to apply it to relevant area of work
· Understands legal trends in interpreting taxation policy
Tax Analysis / · Has thorough understanding of how economic, accounting and legal analyses combine in tax policy and practice
· Has thorough understanding of the implications of area of work on other areas of tax policy/practice
· Good understanding of the conceptual principles underpinning different tax bases
Policy Development / · Ensures the GTPP is applied correctly
· Ensures that tax policies and strategies are consistent with relevant laws
Project Management / · Manages tasks and delivers agreed outcomes
· Assists in maintaining quality control and deadlines of the project