Liaison Manager PIF - until October 2027

New Zealand Government; Wellington; On-site; NZD 130,000 - 153,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Wellington invites applications for a fixed-term Liaison Manager to lead a 70-strong Liaison Officer workforce during the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Week. You will oversee recruitment, training, deployment and operational planning to ensure diplomatic protocol and Pacific cultural awareness.

You will work with government agencies and partners, deliver VIP programmes, manage stakeholder relations, and drive training and capability-building while

Qualifications

• Proven experience building, leading teams and coordinating large-scale workforce deployments or complex programmes.
• Exceptional organisational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Experience designing and delivering training programmes and capability-building initiatives.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills.
• Understanding of protocol, customer service excellence, Pacific cultural awareness, and working in high-profile environments.
• Understanding of The Treaty of Waitangi/Te Tiriti, Te Reo Māori and Māori customs and protocols would be beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Lead the recruitment, onboarding, training, deployment and management of approximately 70 Liaison Officers.
• Develop workforce plans, operating procedures, guidance materials and training programmes.
• Deliver training focused on delegation support, customer service, protocol requirements and Pacific cultural awareness.
• Provide leadership, support and issue resolution throughout event delivery.
• Build strong relationships with government agencies, host organisations and event partners.
• Provide guidance on diplomatic protocol, cultural considerations and engagement practices.
• Support engagement with partners and stakeholders in the delivery of side events and VIP programmes.
• Contribute to wider planning, decision-making and successful delivery of PIF Leaders Week.

Skills

People leadership

Operational planning

Stakeholder engagement

Training design

Diplomatic protocol

Pacific cultural awareness

Māori customs knowledge

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 tonutanga mo Aotearoa whanui. Liaison Manager PIF (Fixed-term until October 2027)

Play a pivotal leadership role at one of the Pacific's most significant international events Create a culture of excellence, service and Pacific hospitality Provide confident leadership while championing Pacific cultural values and professionalism. Play a pivotal role in delivering one of New Zealand's most significant international events.

The full salary range for this role is $129,965 to $152,900 total remuneration, inclusive of our 3% KiwiSaver employer contribution.

About the role

As Liaison Manager, you will lead the planning, recruitment, training and management of the Liaison Officer workforce supporting the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Week. You will also support Taskforce engagement with partners and stakeholders who will be involved with the event, and the development of VIP programmes.

This high-impact role is responsible for ensuring visiting Pacific leaders, ministers, senior officials and delegations receive seamless, professional and culturally responsive support throughout the event.

Leading a workforce of approximately 70 Liaison Officers, you will oversee workforce planning, training, deployment and event operations while ensuring the highest standards of diplomatic protocol and Pacific cultural awareness are maintained.

Working closely with a range of stakeholders across government and event delivery teams, you'll play a critical role in creating a successful experience for visiting delegations and contributing to the delivery of PIF Leaders Week.

• Lead the recruitment, onboarding, training, deployment and management of approximately 70 Liaison Officers.
• Develop workforce plans, operating procedures, guidance materials and training programmes.
• Deliver training focused on delegation support, customer service, protocol requirements and Pacific cultural awareness.
• Provide leadership, support and issue resolution throughout event delivery.
• Build strong relationships with government agencies, host organisations and event partners.
• Provide guidance on diplomatic protocol, cultural considerations and engagement practices.
• Support engagement with partners and stakeholders in the delivery of side events and VIP programmes.
• Contribute to wider planning, decision-making and successful delivery of PIF Leaders Week.

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

We're seeking an experienced people leader with strong operational planning skills and the ability to coordinate large, diverse workforces in a dynamic environment.

• Proven experience building, leading teams and coordinating large-scale workforce deployments or complex programmes.
• Exceptional organisational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Experience designing and delivering training programmes and capability-building initiatives.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills.
• A demonstrated understanding of protocol, customer service excellence, Pacific cultural awareness, and working in high-profile environments.
• 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 be considered for this position at Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade you must be a NZ citizen. You must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret 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 Top Secret clearance.

Please note that this tool is not part of the formal security clearance process: http://www.protectivesecurity.govt.nz/eligibility-tool

Applications close at midnight on Monday 5th October 2026.

Please let us know if you need any support or have any access requirements that will help you through the recruitment process.

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.