Senior People Adviser

Senior People Adviser

• Fixed Term opportunity ending December 2025
• Varied and interesting ER/IR work
• Be part of a culture that encourages continuous improvement, ongoing development and coaching

Join a unique and complex global Ministry. Our Senior People Adviser supports our leaders in New Zealand and around the world.

About the role - Kōrero mō te tūranga

We have a fixed term opportunity as a Senior People Adviser available in our busy People Division.

This is a varied generalist roles 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, Senior People Advisers, Business Partners, and ER specialists to:

• Provide leaders across the global network with operational HR advice and manage complex ER cases, including those in other jurisdictions
• Support our ER and IR work programme
• Manage complex ER case
• Lead and support change processes
• Lead key projects within the People Division
• Coach and mentor our People Coordinators and People Advisers 
• Use your technical knowledge to work through employment agreement and policy interpretation

For more detail you can view the position description here.

The full salary range for this role is $104,670 to $141,612 total remuneration, inclusive of our 3% KiwiSaver employer contribution. We expect to appoint around the midpoint $123,141 – give or take depending on your level of experience.  

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

We’d like to hear from you if you are an experienced people professional with the following skills and experience:

• Technical HR/ER/IR knowledge
• A track record building strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels
• A customer-centric mindset and approach to problem solving
• High levels of self-awareness, agility and resilience
• Experience working alongside unions (desirable)
• 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 Emma MacRae on emma.macrae@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 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 6pm on Monday 21st July 2025.

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.