The 31-year-old is one of seven White Ferns players named in the New Zealand A side to play England A in three T20s and three List A games, starting in Queenstown next week.
Jensen, who is making her way back from a serious knee injury, has been named captain.
"This is my first time captaining at this level," she said.
"I captained a little bit of club cricket about 15 years ago, but I feel like I’ve got the tactical knowledge.
"When I’m out there, I’m always thinking about where my fielders need to be when I’m bowling and things like that.
"It will be tough but also a lot of fun and I think I’m up to it."
Jensen injured her knee at the T20 World Cup in February last year and required corrective surgery.
She is still making her way back to full fitness, and the A series will give her an opportunity to stake a claim for her old spot in the White Ferns lineup.
"There’s a big winter ahead for the White Ferns and this series gives me more opportunity to push to get back in that side."
The 14-strong NZ A squads are the first to be selected for more than 20 years and the first to face another A-level opponent.
The series is designed to help players bridge the gap between domestic and international cricket.
The squads will be coached by Central Hinds coach Jacob Oram (T20) and Otago Sparks coach Craig Cumming (List A).
Cumming said it was "a big day" for women’s cricket in New Zealand.
"Sometimes you just get judged on the White Ferns.
"But to see this programme in place shows that New Zealand Cricket are serious about developing the women’s game," he said.
"But not only is it a great addition to the women’s game, it is great opportunity for the players to play against a really good England A side.
"They have a wonderful programme over there, so it means we can bridge the gap in experience before players get to play for the White Ferns.
"It has been a real success in the men’s programme, so we know how important it is."
Cumming will also get a look at some of his provincial charges at the next level.
He has championed swing bowler Emma Black, keeper Polly Inglis and batter Caitlin Blakely as players he believes can take the next step.
"This is the next step for all these players. They do well here then the next step is playing for the White Ferns."
It is also a step up for Cumming’s coaching career.
He has steered the Sparks to two Hallyburton Johnstone Shield titles since assuming the reins in 2020-21.
"We are learning just as much as the players, so it is a great chance for me."
Otago Volts coach Dion Ebrahim announced his resignation earlier this week.
He will move on at the end of the Plunket Shield campaign.
Cumming said he had not given it any thought when asked if he would apply for the job.
New Zealand A
The squads
T20: Hayley Jensen (captain), Kate Anderson, Sarah Asmussen, Bernadine Bezuidenhout (game 1), Prue Catton, Flora Devonshire, Claudia Green, Mikaela Greig, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis, Leigh Kasperek, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Saachi Shahri (games 2 & 3).
One-day: Jensen (captain), Anderson, Caitlin Blakely, Emma Black, Eden Carson, Catton (games 2 & 3), Greig, Polly Inglis, Kasperek (game 1), Nensi Patel, Penfold, Plimmer, Jess Simmons, Shahri.
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