Lead Adviser, Humanitarian

• Help lead New Zealand’s responses to global humanitarian crises
• Provide strategic policy advice and leadership on complex and fast moving humanitarian issues
• Manage partnerships with multilateral humanitarian organisations
• Wellington based – Parental leave cover till end of June 2027 (secondment for internal and fixed term contract for externals)

Take on a leadership role with work that is varied, challenging and rewarding!

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.

The Lead Adviser plays a key role in the team’s work, including by:

• Leading strategic policy advice on international humanitarian issues. 
• Leading planning, delivery and review of New Zealand’s contributions to humanitarian responses outside the Pacific.
• Managing partnerships with international humanitarian organisations.
• Providing senior level advocacy and representation, both domestically and internationally.
• Supporting 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 $148,123 to $177,746 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 are a thought leader with the following skills, knowledge and experience:

• Advanced written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience leading advice on complex policy issues or investment programmes. 
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience mentoring and developing junior team members.
• A sound understanding of the international humanitarian system and humanitarian frameworks.
• Experience working in the New Zealand public sector is highly desirable.

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 Top Secret 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 Top Secret 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.

For Internal candidates:

• A higher duties allowance (HDA) may be paid only when staff are acting up into a more senior role for a period of two or more weeks. Please check HR POLICY PORTFOLIO.

Applications close at midnight on Thursday, 21 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.