People Adviser

People Adviser

• Varied and interesting HR Advisory and ER work
• Be part of a culture that encourages continuous improvement, ongoing development and coaching
• Permanent opportunity based in our Wellington Head Office

About the role - Kōrero mō te tūranga

We have a permanent vacancy in our HR and ER Advisory team.

This is a varied generalist role supporting our ER and IR work programme in a local and global context. You will have solid HR experience under your belt, including having worked through ER cases such as PIPs, investigations and providing general ER advice to leaders.

At MFAT, you will be well-supported by a team of People Advisers, Senior People Advisers, Business Partners, and ER specialists to:

• Provide HR advice and support across the global network with operational HR advice and manage ER cases, including those in other jurisdictions
• Contribute to the wider HR functions including reporting, analysis and organisational structure changes
• Record and maintain information in HR Information Systems to contribute to the production of HR reports, data and metrics with a high level of integrity and accuracy.

• Support our ER and IR work programme
• Manage ER cases
• Coach and mentor our People Coordinators
• Use your technical knowledge to work through employment agreement and policy interpretation

For a copy of the People Adviser position description please click here 

The full salary range for this role is $78,043 and $105,587 total remuneration, inclusive of our 3% KiwiSaver employer contribution.

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

Ideally you will be from an HR advisory or help desk role.  You must have excellent attention to detail and use good judgement to challenge and improve the work of others where applicable.  You are confident providing feedback in a constructive way. You will also have:

• Experience in a HR Advisory or Admin role
• Excellent attention to detail
• HR/ER/IR knowledge
• Highly developed relationship management skills
• A customer-centric mindset and approach to problem solving
• High levels of self-awareness, agility and resilience
• Understanding of The Treaty of Waitangi/Te Tiriti, Te Reo Māori and Māori customs and protocols would be beneficial.   

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. 

Me pēhea te tuku tono - To Apply/Interested?

Apply today with your CV and cover letter. Please email recruitment@mfat.govt.nz if you have any questions.

To be considered for this position at 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 Wednesday 14th January 2026.

Please note while this is advertised over the summer break there will be limited monitoring of applications, and we will respond to queries from 5 January 2026. We expect interviews to be conducted 19 – 23 January 2026, with a potential start date in March 2026.