Job Opportunities in New Zealand

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.

• Do you have strong analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills?
• Do you like to make change happen through designing and delivering business improvements?
• Wellington based – fixed-term position until 30 June 2025

Join us to participate in increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of New Zealand’s international aid programme!

Kōrero mō te tūranga - About the role

The Senior Business Improvement Advisor will bring their business understanding and skills to work on the International Development Cooperation (IDC) Programme with a particular focus on maturing the efficiency and effectiveness of the Programme.

Your work will focus on business analysis, advice, implementation, project delivery, and project management - including

• developing a deep understanding of the IDC Programme, Activity Lifecycle, and how it operates to identify business improvements
• designing new and adapt existing business processes to meet a variety of stakeholders needs
• leading or supporting the management, maintenance, creation, and implementation of business processes, procedures, and tools for the IDC Programme
• building strong relationships with key stakeholders, including working collaboratively with others’ change initiatives to understand and align processes, and to develop and map interdependent processes
• coaching and mentoring other Business Improvement Advisers.

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

The full salary range for this role is $124,674 to $168,676 total remuneration, inclusive of our 3% Kiwi Saver employer contribution. We expect to appoint around the midpoint $146,575 – give or take depending on your level of experience.

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

We’d like to hear from you if you are an experienced Business Improvements Adviser with the following skills and experience:

• proven project management experience
• strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills
• excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information in a clear and concise manner
• proficiency in creating process maps, data flow diagrams, and other visual representations
• strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders
• ability to coach and mentor
• working knowledge of the public sector is desirable.

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.

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. 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?

Apply today with your CV and cover letter.

For a confidential discussion please email Charlotte.Connell@mfat.govt.nz

To be employed with 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: http://www.protectivesecurity.govt.nz/eligibility-tool

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 Sunday, 3 November 2024.

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.