Senior People Adviser

• Permanent opportunity in a high performing team
• Varied and interesting HR Advisory and ER work
• Interesting and varied work in a global context

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, 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 outside of New Zealand
• 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 and Advisers
• Use your technical knowledge to work through employment agreement and policy interpretation

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

The appointing range for the role is $109,000 - $135,000 inclusive of our Kiwisaver employer contribution. Appointment within this range will depend on your level of experience.

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

Ideally you will be from a generalist HR advisory background and seeking to deepen your ER skillset.  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 role with ER capability
• Excellent attention to detail and exceptional writing skills
• Broad 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. 

To Apply/Interested - Me pēhea te tuku tono

Apply today with your CV and cover letter outlining your skills and achievements.

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 security 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 22nd April 2026. We will shortlist and progress suitable candidates within the period so don’t delay applying. We expect interviews to be conducted 27 April to early May 2026, with a potential start date around 4 June 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.