Early in Careers Foreign Policy Officers 2026

Early in Careers Foreign Policy Officers 2026

• Recruiting now for a start in early 2026
• Work for New Zealand on global issues
• Enjoy a broad and engaging career in New Zealand and overseas.

Applications are now open for MFAT’s 2026 Early in Careers Foreign Policy Programme

About the role- Kōrero mō te tūranga

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade - Manatū Aorere is recruiting for it’s next cohort of Foreign Policy Officers.

Our Foreign Policy Officers are New Zealand’s foreign policy, trade and development advisers, international legal advisers, and negotiators.

We offer you an engaging career, and the chance to work for New Zealand on current international issues. The roles are rotational, meaning every few years you will work in a new area of foreign policy and develop your experience across a range of specialisations.

As a Foreign Policy Officer, you may find yourself:

• Promoting and protecting New Zealand’s interest overseas.
• Providing the Government with advice on foreign affairs, trade, and development policies.
• Engaging with a broad variety of stakeholders and partners including other government agencies, iwi, academia, business, and civil society.
• Organising visits to New Zealand by representatives from other governments and international organisations, supporting Ministry-led events.
• Responding to offshore natural disasters and international crises, supporting recovery efforts.
• Developing important people leadership skills.

After a few years in Wellington, you will have the chance to apply for postings in one of our embassies or high commissions around the world where you will be able to broaden the foreign policy and people leadership skills you have learned in Wellington.

To view an example of a position description, click here

The full salary for this role is $70,784 inclusive of our 3% KiwiSaver employer contribution.

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

We welcome applicants from all subject areas and disciplines, noting that applicants who have studied International Relations, International Development, Law, Public Policy, Economics, Sciences, Global/Pacific Studies often have a natural affinity for our work.  

What matters most to us is that you are well-rounded, resilient, adaptable, and committed to promoting New Zealand’s interests overseas and at home as a public servant.

We want to hear from you if you are:

• A New Zealand citizen
• Able to obtain and maintain New Zealand National Security Clearance at Top Secret level.
• Tertiary qualified with a minimum bachelor’s level qualification in any discipline, with a preference for conjoint, master’s or additional post-graduate qualifications.
• Have less than three years of policy experience in a similar organisation.

Other skills that will help you thrive in your career as a Foreign Policy Officer include academic excellence, an interest in developing people leadership skills, achievement drive, Mātauranga Māori, knowledge and understanding of other cultures and communities, and ability and/or interest in learning languages.

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

We are committed to a focus on leadership, talent, training and development. 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 and what to do about it. 

To Apply/Interested?- Me pēhea te tuku tono

Apply today with your CV, cover letter and academic transcript. The online application process then kicks off with a 10-minute questionnaire.

For more information visit our Early in Careers page: Early in careers - Foreign Policy Officer opportunities | New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

For a confidential discussion on the recruitment process please email samara.fischer@mfat.govt.nz or graduate.recruitment@mfat.govt.nz. You can also text or call me, Samara, on 021 650 475, if you would like to talk in person.

To be considered for this position, you must be a current New Zealand Citizen and able to obtain and maintain a NZ Government National Security Clearance at Top Secret level. Please note these are two separate requirements.

You can 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:

http://www.protectivesecurity.govt.nz/eligibility-tool

Applications close at midnight on Wednesday 13 August 2025