Development Adviser - Humanitarian

• Support New Zealand’s responses to global humanitarian crises
• Engage with international humanitarian organisations
• Contribute to policy advice on humanitarian issues
• Wellington based, permanent role.

Thrive in a fast-paced and rewarding role that requires resilience, judgement and influence!

About the role - Kōrero mō te tūranga

The Global Humanitarian Unit leads advice on humanitarian policy issues, manages New Zealand’s support to humanitarian responses outside the Pacific, manages partnerships with international humanitarian organisations, and oversees New Zealand’s humanitarian diplomacy.

This Development Adviser – Humanitarian is responsible for a portfolio of activities that support humanitarian responses outside the Pacific. This includes due diligence and appraisal, drafting funding recommendations, contracting, financial and risk management, and evaluating and reporting on results and outcomes. The Development Adviser – Humanitarian also:

• Contributes to policy advice on international humanitarian issues. 
• Manages a funding partnership with an international humanitarian organisation.
• Supports the Ministry’s readiness for, and response to, humanitarian events in the Pacific, including by periodically holding the humanitarian duty phone and working in the MFAT Coordination Centre (MCC).

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

The salary range for this role is $106,973 to $128,367 total remuneration, inclusive of our KiwiSaver employer contribution.

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

We’d like to hear from you if you’re a delivery expert with the following skills, knowledge and experience:

• Significant experience managing activities or projects, with demonstrable financial acumen and organisational skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience managing relationships with external stakeholders.
• An understanding of Government policy and decision making processes.
• Knowledge of international humanitarian action or international development is preferred.

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 richard.hannah@mfat.govt.nz

To be considered for this position at Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade you must be a New Zealand 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, 20 May 2026. 

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.