Programme Manager

Company description:

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.

Job description:

• Programme Leadership role
• Provide advice on foreign policy issues and opportunities in relation to aid programmes
• Wellington - Fixed term till December parental cover

Excellent opportunity to oversee the management and delivery of complex/high risk climate change and environment activities

About the role - Kōrero mō te tūranga

The Programme Manager, climate change will be responsible for overseeing a collection of climate change and environment projects and activities. This role will contribute to the overall delivery excellence and achievements of climate change mitigation and adaptation investments. The primary focus areas of this role are:

• Overseeing a collection of climate change and environment activities: enabling their successful delivery, overseeing interdependencies, managing relationships and stakeholder engagements, planning programme resources, managing external contractors/consultants, reporting, and supporting staff to strengthen capacity in project/activity management best practice
• Enable and implement the scale-up of climate change and environment activities undertaken by the Climate Change and Environment Units in line with our international commitments

For more detail you can view a copy of the position description here.

The full salary range for this role is $ 127,417 to $172,387 total remuneration, inclusive of our 3% KiwiSaver employer contribution. The midpoint is $149,902 . We expect to appoint depending on your level of experience.

Please note: The Pacific Development Group is currently going through a change process and so the requirement of the role may change. You will be consulted on this.

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

We'd like to hear from you if you have experience with the following skills and experience:

• Minimum 5 years' experience managing activities and programmes.
• Experience with adaptive and/or agile management.
• Experience in working on development projects
• Demonstrated experience in project and programme set up, quality assurance, and capability delivery.
• Knowledge of New Zealand government systems and aid development policy and/or, including Public sector procurement and contract management processes and the Treasury Better Business Case model.
• Excellent interpersonal skills - uses appropriate style and methods to articulate the Ministry's position and strategy on issues with accuracy and persuasion.
• Collaborative partnering, networking, relationship and stakeholder management skills relevant to the role.
• Understanding of The Treaty of Waitangi/Te Tiriti, Te Reo Māori and Māori customs and protocols would be beneficial.

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

We are committed to a focus on leadership, talent, training and development, and flexible work options consistent with guidance from the Public Service Commission. Check out our benefits page to find out more about why we love working here.

MFAT is Rainbow Tick accredited. We value diversity and are committed to providing an inclusive culture where everyone feels supported, valued, and a sense of belonging. We welcome applications from people from a diverse range of backgrounds.

About us - Mō mātou

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.

To Apply/Interested? - Me pēhea te tuku tono

Apply today with your CV and cover letter.

For a confidential discussion please email:

To be considered for this position at Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade you must be a NZ citizen, or Permanent Resident.

You must be able to obtain and maintain a Confidential security clearance. Ordinarily, to obtain this level of clearance candidates must have sufficient checkable background in countries where meaningful and reliable checks can be undertaken. Where requisite checks are unable to be made, the candidate application may not be able to be progressed.

Use this online tool to self-check your eligibility for a Confidential clearance. Please note that this tool is not part of the formal security clearance process:

Please 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 Thursday, 30 October 2025.

Please note: This is not a Foreign Policy/diplomatic role. This is a 'Corporate' role (known here as a specialist role based in central Wellington, NZ.

While it is not usual for specialist staff to be 'posted' outside of NZ, from time to time a specialist role overseas becomes available at one of our embassies, high commissions, missions or consulates. To be considered for one of these positions you would need to apply and be considered via a competitive recruitment process.

If you do have an interest in an MFAT foreign policy/diplomatic career, you would be welcome to apply for this either via our graduate recruitment or mid-level foreign policy recruitment campaigns.