Infrastructure Adviser

• Manage assigned infrastructure and technical assistance activities in the Pacific
• Provide technically and strategically sound specialist infrastructure advice
• Wellington based

Use your experience to support New Zealand’s infrastructure advocacy, engagement and delivery in the Pacific!

Kōrero mō te tūranga - About the role 

This Infrastructure Adviser position sits within the Infrastructure, Energy and Transport unit, and supports the unit’s leadership on infrastructure strategy and policy, technical advice and expertise, and International Development Cooperation (IDC) Programme delivery. The role will be responsible for managing assigned infrastructure projects and providing technically and strategically sound advice (‘advisory’) across the Ministry’s Pacific infrastructure portfolio.

The Infrastructure Adviser will be required to travel periodically to the Pacific. Duties include managing internal and external relationships and facilitating activity development, delivery and performance monitoring.

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

The full salary range for this role is $104,670 to $141,612 total remuneration, inclusive of our 3% KiwiSaver employer contribution. The midpoint is $123,141. We expect to appoint around the midpoint depending on your level of skills and experience.  

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

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

• Relevant experience and skills in planning, delivering and/or management of infrastructure projects.
• Experience with the requirements for scoping and commissioning technical expertise including engineers, architects and construction contractors.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Proven relationship management and influencing and consensus-building skills.
• Ability to influence new ideas, coach, share knowledge and work cooperatively within and across teams.
• Experience working in a cross-cultural context and understanding of international development issues and effective development practice.

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 jonathan.suggate@mfat.govt.nz

To be employed with Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade you must be a NZ citizen.

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 Wednesday 12 February 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.