Senior Adviser - Trade Rules

• Join New Zealand’s trade negotiation team working on a comprehensive trade partnership agreement with India
• You will have an influential role in shaping and defending New Zealand’s trade rules policy and interests on trade remedies, trade subsidies and trade and competition
• Two-year fixed term opportunity based in Wellington

There has not been a more exciting time to work in trade.

About the role - Kōrero mō te tūranga

As the Ministry’s specialist Senior Adviser - Trade Rules, you will work to ensure international trade remedies, subsidies and competition policy and practice support New Zealand’s trade policy goals. 

In this role you will:

• Lead international negotiations on trade remedies and competition on new or upgraded trade agreements
• Lead specialist trade policy advice on international trade remedies, subsidies and competition commitments.
• Work on the implementation of New Zealand’s existing trade agreements
• Lead New Zealand’s response to any relevant international safeguards or anti-dumping investigations
• Ensure that New Zealand’s commitments and interests are represented at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on subsidies and countervailing measures, safeguards and anti-dumping– working with MBIE and New Zealand’s Permanent Mission to the WTO

For more detail you can request a copy of the position description by emailing recruitment@mfat.govt.nz

The full salary range for this role is between $124,674 and $168,676 total remuneration, inclusive of our 3% KiwiSaver employer contribution. Appointment within this range will depend on your level of experience.

This position is fixed term for two years.

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

We’d like to hear from you if you are an experienced Senior Policy Adviser with the following skills and experience:

• Leadership on technical policy issues at a senior level
• Expertise in negotiation with other governments
• Highly developed organisational skills in delivering policy outcomes
• Political awareness and ability to influence other policy-makers
• Technical expertise in trade policy is preferred, and in trade remedies, subsidies or competition is an advantage
• 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.  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. 

You can find out more about our staff networks and our Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 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.

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 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 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.

Applications close at midnight on Wednesday 30th April 2025.

Please note: This is not a Foreign Policy/diplomatic role.  This is a specialist role based in central Wellington, New Zealand.

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.