Unit Manager: Climate Change and Environment, Delivery

Unit Manager - Climate Change and Environment,  Delivery

• Management position in one of two Climate Change and Environment units in the Pacific and Development Group
• Lead a team of high performing, specialist staff
• Fixed term role till March 2026.

Lead the delivery of MFAT’s international climate finance strategy and portfolio to ensure New Zealand achieves its commitment to provide climate finance to developing countries.

Kōrero mō te tūranga - About the role  

As Unit Manager Climate Change and Environment – Delivery you will lead a large team of specialist advisers to support the achievement of the Ministry’s strategic priorities, with a specific focus on delivering climate change and environment activities, advice and services. Implementing New Zealand’s international climate finance strategy gives you the opportunity to support the developing countries most vulnerable to climate change impacts to adapt and build their resilience, particularly in the Pacific. 

The Unit Manager Climate Change and Environment – Delivery will:

• Lead the planning and implementation arrangements for New Zealand to achieve its $1.3billion international climate finance commitment by 2025;
• Support the delivery of New Zealand’s bilateral, regional, and international long-term strategic and four-year objectives, with a particular focus on the thematic areas of climate change, environment and disaster risk reduction; and
• Lead the planning for New Zealand’s climate finance post-2025 and manage any change or transition for the current climate finance portfolio 

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

The full salary range for this role is $167,587 and $226,736 total remuneration, inclusive of our 3% KiwiSaver employer contribution.

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

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

• Demonstrated leadership and management acumen, including managing a large delivery team.
• Experience in governance and management of a large, complex portfolio.
• A strategic understanding of the key opportunities and risks for New Zealand in its development and foreign policy relationships
• An enduring interest and understanding of international development issues and trends as they relate to climate change and environment issues.
• Experience leading change, including any changes or transitions for the climate finance portfolio

Ideally you will also have a good understanding of tikanga (Māori customs and protocols), with the ability to weave te ao Māori (the Māori worldview) into your work. 

If you are just starting on this journey that’s OK too – as long as you have a willingness to learn and a desire to develop your cultural capability.  As a Te Tiriti o Waitangi partner, this is important to us and we offer training and support. 

Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Aorere - Why MFAT?

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

Mō mātou - About us

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. 

Me pēhea te tuku tono - To Apply/Interested?

Apply today with your CV and cover letter.

For a confidential discussion please email recruitment@mfat.govt.nz

To be considered for this position you must be a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident and able to obtain and maintain a NZ Government National Security clearance at Confidential level.

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

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 22 May 2024

Please note: This is not a Foreign Policy/diplomatic role.  This is 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.