Senior Adviser, Governance

Senior Adviser, Governance

This is a rare and exciting opportunity for those seeking to work at the heart of the Ministry’s governance ecosystem and alongside senior leaders. The Governance Framework underpins effective enterprise decision-making, ensuring alignment with the Ministry’s strategic priorities. It enables SLT to exercise leadership, drive strategic delivery, and monitor performance and risk at the highest level.

About the role - Kōrero mō te tūranga 

Reporting to the Deputy Chief Executive Policy, the Senior Adviser, Governance plays a pivotal role in shaping and maintaining the Ministry’s governance ecosystem. As the senior adviser to the Deputy Chief Executive and SLT on organisational governance, you will provide expert advice on governance effectiveness and lead a programme of continuous improvement to ensure our governance remains robust and fit-for-purpose.

Key responsibilities include:

• Overseeing initiatives that strengthen capability and understanding among those serving on governance committees
• Raising the visibility and profile of governance functions across the Ministry
• Working closely with Governance Committee Chairs and Chair Advisers to ensure efficient secretariat support for enterprise governance bodies, including:

• • MFAT Board (Chair Adviser)
  • Operational Management Committee (OMC) (Chair Adviser)
  • Strategic Policy & Strategic Initiatives Committee (SPSI)
  • Organisational Development and People Committee (ODP)
  • Resources and Investment Committee (RIC)

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

The appointing range for this role is $127,414 to $149,902 total remuneration, inclusive of our Kiwisaver employer contribution.  

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

We seek a highly skilled professional with:

• Exceptional organisational and planning capability.
• Proven integrity, discretion, and trustworthiness.
• Strong relationship-building skills and ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders using tact and diplomacy.
• Sound understanding of the machinery of government and decision-making processes.
• Experience in governance, public sector administration, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Analytical ability to interpret business management information.
• Strong achievement focus with attention to detail and delivery excellence.
• Competence in Microsoft Office and familiarity with governance best practice are essential.

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 - Me pēhea te tuku tono

Apply today with your CV and cover letter outlining your motivation and suitability for the role.

For application issues, contact recruitment@mfat.govt.nz. 

To be considered for this position at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade you must be a NZ citizen.

You must be able to obtain and maintain a New Zealand Government 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 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.

Applications close at 9.00pm on Sunday 8 March 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.