Policy Adviser and Senior Policy Adviser

2 weeks ago

Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand New Zealand Government Full time
The Ministry acts in the world to build a safer, more prosperous and more sustainable future for New Zealanders.

Kia hangai ake e te Manatu he ao-haumaru, ao-tonui, ao-pumau, ki te oranga tonutanga mo Aotearoa whanui.

  • Various Policy Adviser and Senior Policy Adviser positions available
  • Provide high quality Policy advice and delivery
  • 12 months fixed term, Wellington based
Create impact through your work in support of the government's objectives for New Zealand's international relations

Kōrero mō te tūranga - About the role


As a Policy Adviser / Senior Policy Adviser in the Trade and Economic Group, you may find yourself working on areas such as negotiating and implementing New Zealand's bilateral and regional free trade agreements, engaging with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) or conducting stakeholder outreach and engagement on trade policy.

Equally you may spend your time engaging with global economic organisations such as the OECD, with other internationally focused economic agencies in New Zealand, and with key exporters.

In other parts of our Trade and Economic Group, you may be focused on providing economic analysis, taking forward New Zealand's Trade for All Agenda, or supporting MFAT's wider economic diplomacy engagement.

All of these are important to the safety and prosperity, and ultimately the wellbeing of New Zealanders.

You will be:

  • Supporting the achievement of New Zealand's foreign policy priorities.
  • Actively working with your team to support the achievement of your division's strategic priorities and high level outcomes, as outlined under the role specific key accountabilities.

For more detail, please view our generic position description:
Policy Adviser
Senior Policy Adviser

We have various positions available at Policy Adviser and Senior Policy Adviser level within our Trade and Economic Group.

The current vacancies across the group are:

  • Trade Policy and Negotiation Division
  • Trade Policy Engagement & Implementation Division
  • Economic Division
Please visit About Us and information on Trade

The salary range is negotiable depending on skills and experience
Policy Adviser is between $87,120 and $104,012
Senior Policy Adviser is up to $123,891
The total fixed remuneration is inclusive of our 3% KiwiSaver employer contribution.

Mā‎ wai te mahi nei? - Who are we looking for?

We'd like to hear from you if you are an experienced Policy Adviser with the following attributes:

  • MUST HOLD a New Zealand citizenship or permanent resident visa
  • Ability to gain and maintain a minimum of Confidential clearance
  • Bachelor level tertiary qualified (in any field, not just law, economics or politics)
  • 35 years relevant experience in areas such as policy
  • A sound understanding of the machinery of government and the government decision making process
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills
  • Strong qualitative and quantitative analysis skills


Ideally you will also have a good understanding of tikanga (Māori customs and protocols), with the ability to weave te ao Māori (the Māori worldview) into your work.

If you are just starting on this journey that's OK too - as long as you have a willingness to learn and a desire to develop your cultural capability.

As a Te Tiriti o Waitangi partner, this is important to us and we offer training and support.

Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Aorere - Why MFAT?

We are committed to a focus on leadership, talent, training and development, and flexible work options. Check out our benefits page to find out more about why we love working here.

Mō mātou - About us

Our people represent New Zealand on and offshore, and in doing so make New Zealanders safer and more prosperous.

By building connections with and influencing other countries and international institutions, we advance New Zealand's interests and pursue New Zealand's values.

We provide advice to the Government on the implications for New Zealand of what is happening in the world.

Me pēhea te tuku tono - To Apply/Interested?


You MUST be a NZ Citizen or hold a NZ Permanent Resident visa and be able to obtain and maintain a NZ Government National Security clearance.

Please use this online tool to self-check your eligibility for a Confidential security clearance.

Please note that this tool is not part of the formal security clearance process:

Let us know if you need any support or have any access requirements that will help you through the recruitment process.

Applications close at midnight on Sunday, 9 July 2023

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