Development Adviser

New Zealand Government; Wellington; On-site; NZD 109,000 - 128,000; Full time

Job summary

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Wellington seeks a Development Adviser for Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL). The fixed-term role shapes evidence-informed decisions across NZ's IDC Programme, managing strategic evaluations and coordinating across projects.

You will advise on M&E frameworks, support business case design, and promote evidence use to improve development outcomes in the Pacific and beyond. Close supervision and stakeholder collaboration are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience in monitoring, evaluation, research and learning for policy
• Ability to translate evidence into policy and programme decisions
• Stakeholder engagement across diverse audiences

Responsibilities

• Managing and delivering a portfolio of strategic evaluation and research projects.
• Providing advice and support on monitoring, evaluation, research and learning frameworks, approaches and methodologies.
• Supporting the design of evidence-informed business cases, including problem analysis and intervention logic.
• Coordinating and supporting activity and project-level evaluations across the IDC Programme.
• Promoting the use of evidence and evaluation findings to inform decision-making, policy development and programme improvement.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Policy experience

Monitoring and evaluation

Research design

Communication skills

Education

Relevant graduate qualification

Job description

The Ministry acts in the world to build a safer,more prosperous and more sustainable future for New Zealanders.Kia hangai ake e te Manatu he ao-haumaru,ao-tonui, ao-pumau, ki te oranga tonutangamo Aotearoa whanui.

Development Adviser - Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL)

Strengthen development outcomes across the Pacific Lead strategic research and evaluation initiatives Help shape policy and investment decisions through evidence-based insights Fixed-term opportunity based in Wellington until June 2027.

Join a team at the centre of New Zealand's International Development Cooperation (IDC) Programme, using evidence and learning to influence decisions and improve development outcomes across the Pacific and beyond.

About the role - Kōrero mō te tūranga

As a Development Adviser, in the Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) division, you will play a key role in strengthening the evidence base that supports accountability, learning and development effectiveness across New Zealand's IDC Programme. This is an opportunity to directly influence how evidence informs policy, programme design and investment decisions.

• Managing and delivering a portfolio of strategic evaluation and research projects.
• Providing advice and support on monitoring, evaluation, research and learning frameworks, approaches and methodologies.
• Supporting the design of evidence-informed business cases, including problem analysis and intervention logic.
• Coordinating and supporting activity and project-level evaluations across the IDC Programme.
• Promoting the use of evidence and evaluation findings to inform decision-making, policy development and programme improvement.

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

The salary range for this role is $109,112 to $128,367 total remuneration, inclusive of our 3% KiwiSaver employer contribution.

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

• A relevant graduate qualification (e.g. international relations, development studies, economics, finance, public policy)
• Experience in international development, policy and/or programme design.
• Experience undertaking monitoring, evaluation, research and learning, applying evidence to policy and programme decision-making.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with the ability to build relationships and influence across diverse audiences.
• 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.

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.

Applications close at 9pm on Sunday 27th September 2026.

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.

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.