Principal Commercial Adviser

• Gain valuable experience in infrastructure projects – existing exposure to infrastructure advantageous but not essential
• Partner with the International Development Cooperation Programme (New Zealand’s aid programme)
• Deliver interesting and impactful international procurement and commercial initiatives.

Join a highly regarded, collaborative and values led commercial team that is motivated by impact, collaboration, and delivering enduring outcomes for communities around the world.

About the role - Kōrero mō te tūranga

MFAT’s Commercial Division provides innovative, flexible and pragmatic commercial solutions to support the Ministry’s strategic objectives, the International Development Cooperation (IDC), and broader service improvement initiatives. We work in close partnership with colleagues and external partners to deliver value, manage risk, and achieve sustainable development outcomes.

As our Principal Commercial Adviser, you will work across a diverse range of projects and apply your expert technical knowledge of the procurement lifecycle to lead and manage our most complex procurement, commercial and grant funding transactions. While some of our more complex procurements are infrastructure related, infrastructure procurement experience is desirable, but not essential.

In this thought leadership role, you will:

• Provide strong technical leadership and apply and demonstrate a best practice approach to MFAT’s procurement policies and strategies
• Take ownership for external and internal stakeholder management
• Help shape strategies to deliver economic benefits to New Zealand and partner governments
• Mentor, coach and guide your colleagues in the Commercial Division
• Support the application of commercial frameworks to activities delivered by or through external parties such as suppliers, other New Zealand Government agencies, NGOs, and other international partners or organisations.
• Support the implementation of contract management and supplier relationship management processes and strategies.

This is a chance for you to have a significant impact and play a key role in how we support the work MFAT does with the IDC programme - especially for communities in the Pacific region.  

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

The full salary range for this role is $127,417 to $172,387 total remuneration, inclusive of our 3.5% KiwiSaver employer contribution. The midpoint is $149,902. We expect to appoint depending on your level of experience.  

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

You may not have experience across all the areas outlined above, and that’s okay. We encourage you to apply if you have deep procurement experience and a solid understanding of government procurement. We are looking for candidates that have a demonstrated ability to use their highly developed relationship management, thought leadership and commercial skills to deliver impactful solutions and real economic benefits for New Zealand and our development partner countries.

We’d love to hear about your experience in providing thought leadership and developing successful commercial strategies through collaboration and building trusted relationships.

• Experience working with NGOs would be helpful but is not essential.
• 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. 

To Apply/Interested? - Me pēhea te tuku tono

Apply today with your CV and cover letter.

For a confidential discussion please email anil.muringathery@mfat.govt.nz.

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 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 11:59pm on Monday 25 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.