Early in Careers Foreign Policy Officers (Feb 2025)

• Multiple positions available
• Enjoy a broad and engaging international career
• Apply now for a start in February 2025

Applications are now open for MFAT’s 2025 Early in Careers Foreign Policy Programme

Kōrero mō te tūranga - About the role  

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Manatu Aorere is recruiting inspirational and passionate Foreign Policy Officers for the next cohort.

Our Foreign Policy Officers are the government’s specialist foreign, trade and development policy advisers, international legal advisers and negotiators.

We offer you a career, exposure to some of the country’s top minds, and the opportunity to work on burning international issues. The roles are rotational, meaning every few years you will work in a new area of foreign policy, and have the unique opportunity to develop your experience across various areas.

As a Foreign Policy Officer, you may:

• Promote and protect New Zealand’s interests overseas
• Provide the Government with advice on foreign affairs, trade and development policies
• Engage with a broad variety of stakeholders and partners including Māori, academia, business and civil society
• Organise visits from international officials and government representatives to support Ministry-led events
• Respond to offshore natural disasters and support recovery efforts

After a few years in Wellington, you will have the chance to apply for postings in one of our embassies or consulates around the world.

For more information regarding your career as a Foreign Policy Officer at MFAT, please visit The Policy Officer role | New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (mfat.govt.nz)

The full salary for this role is $70,784 inclusive of our 3% KiwiSaver employer contribution.

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

We celebrate diversity and want the Ministry to reflect the multicultural, tolerant, progressive and talented society that we are.  We welcome applicants from all subject areas, disciplines and life stages. What matters to us is that you are as well-rounded, resilient, and passionate as we are about promoting New Zealand’s interests overseas and at home.

We want to hear from you if are:

• A New Zealand citizen or has recently submitted an application for citizenship to DIA
• Able to obtain and maintain New Zealand National Security Clearance at the Top Secret level.
• Tertiary qualified with a minimum Bachelor’s level qualification in any discipline
• Have less than three years of policy experience in a similar organisation or government department

Other skills that will help you thrive in your career as a Foreign Policy Officer include mātauranga Māori, knowledge and understanding of Pacific cultures and communities, ability and interest in learning languages, or academic excellence.

Ideally, all candidates will 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 has several active staff networks that support staff at all stages of their careers. You can find out more about our staff networks and our Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

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, cover letter and academic transcript. The online application process then kicks off with a 10-minute questionnaire.

To be considered for any position at MFAT, you must be a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident and able to obtain and maintain a NZ Government National Security Clearance at the required level.

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 Monday 19 August 2024