Early in Careers Foreign Policy Officers

2 weeks ago

Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand New Zealand Government Full time
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Early in Careers Foreign Policy Officers

  • Kick start your diplomatic career
  • Bring your whole self to a workplace that embraces and values diverse thought
Applications are now open for MFAT's 2024 Early in Careers Foreign Policy Programme

Kōrero mō te tūranga - About the role

Our people are diplomats, negotiators, analysts and advisers. We are the Government's specialist foreign, trade and development policy advisers, international legal advisers and negotiators. As a newly minted Foreign Policy Officer, you will build your career in one of those areas.


You will enter the ministry as a junior Foreign Policy Officer, and over the next few years, you will develop depth and breadth of experience across New Zealand's foreign policy priorities.

The roles are rotational, which present you with a unique opportunity to make an impact in a range of areas.


As a Foreign Policy officer you may:

  • Promote and protect New Zealand's interest overseas
  • Provide the Government with advice on foreign affairs, trade and development policies
  • Support New Zealand's multilateral engagements including international climate change negotiations, international security issues, international development, international legal issues, and/or negotiating trade agreements
  • Engage with a broad variety of stakeholders and partners including Māori, academia, business and civil society
  • Organise visits from international officials and government representatives to support Ministryled events
  • Respond to offshore natural disasters and support recovery efforts
  • Deliver New Zealand's official support for developing countries, with a particular focus on the Pacific Islands region
For more information regarding your career as a Foreign Policy Officer at MFAT, please visit The Policy Officer role | New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade )

To view an example of a Position Description, click here


The full salary range for this role is $69,722 and $76,358 total remuneration, inclusive of our 3% KiwiSaver employer contribution.

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

We want to hear from you if are:

  • Able to obtain and maintain New Zealand National Security Clearance at Top Secret level. To gain this, you must have spent no longer than six months living outside of one of these countries
  • New Zealand, Australia, United Kingdom, United States of America, Canada, Germany and the Netherlands from 18 years of age.
  • Tertiary qualified with a minimum Bachelor's level qualification in any discipline, achieved within the last 3 years.
  • Have up to 3 years relevant work experience.
Other skills that will help you thrive in your career as a Foreign Policy Officer include Matauranga Māori, knowledge and connections to the Pacific, volunteering, leadership, previous policy experience or academic excellence,


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.

You can find out more about our staff networks and our Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 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?


To be considered for this position, you MUST be a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident and able to obtain and maintain a NZ Government National Security clearance at Top Secret level.

Use this online tool to self-check your eligibility for a Top Secret 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 Monday 21st August 2023

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