Programme Manager - FTC - until Oct 2027

• Drive governance, planning, reporting and assurance for a major event.
• Manage risks, budgets and workstream delivery across multiple agencies.
• Wellington based with travel within NZ, Fixed Term until October 2027 

Lead programme delivery for New Zealand’s hosting of the Pacific Islands Forum.

About the role - Kōrero mō te tūranga

New Zealand will host the Pacific Islands Forum 2027 Leaders Week (“PIF27”) in late August 2027. PIF27 will bring together Heads of Government, Ministers, officials and stakeholders from across the Pacific, requiring coordinated delivery across multiple venues, systems and agencies. The Forum brings together 18 Member countries to articulate collective priorities, advance regional security and resilience, and reinforce the norms and values the Pacific seeks to see embedded globally.

The Programme Manager will work closely with the PIF Taskforce Director and workstream leads to establish programme disciplines, maintain oversight of programme performance and support informed decision making through high-quality reporting and analysis. The role will ensure dependencies, risks and delivery milestones are monitored and managed. The Programme Manager will also play a key role in establishing and coordinating the Taskforce operating model, supporting governance forums, and driving programme planning and readiness activities. Some key responsibilities include:

• Establish and manage planning of the PIF27 project plan, working with internal and external delivery partners to ensure milestones are delivered through effective programming, contracting and procurement.
• Work closely with Finance Division, workstream leads and delivery partners to lead programme budget planning, forecasting, tracking and financial reporting across Taskforce finances.
• Lead Taskforce governance processes, including governance planning, reporting and support for effective decision making.
• Lead establishment of internal and external engagement with delivery partners, including in Wellington and Auckland, to ensure a well-coordinated inter-agency PIF Taskforce

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

The full salary range for this role is $ 129,965 to $175,835 total remuneration, inclusive of our KiwiSaver employer contribution. The midpoint is $ 152,900. We expect to appoint depending on your level of experience.  

This role is based in Wellington with travel within New Zealand as required. In the lead up to and during event delivery:

• a period temporarily based in Auckland may be required; and
• some after hours work may be required during peak periods.

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

We’d like to hear from you if you have the following skills and experience:

• Experience leading the planning and delivery of large-scale, international multi-agency events, programmes or operational activities.
• Capacity to provide thought leadership and drive cohesion across workstreams, ensuring planning, reporting and delivery remain aligned
• Experience establishing and supporting governance, reporting and assurance processes in a complex highly-visible operating environment
• Experience managing programme budgets, forecasting, expenditure tracking and financial reporting
• Experience managing and influencing others to successfully achieve plan and programme outcomes

• 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.

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 recruitment@mfat.govt.nz

To be considered for this position at Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade you must be a NZ 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, 19 August 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.