Senior Development Adviser - Climate Change and Environment

Senior Development Adviser - Climate Change and Environment; Wellington; On-site; NZD 130,000 - 153,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) is seeking a Senior Development Adviser to shape climate change and environment policy, programming and delivery within the Pacific and Development Group, based in central Wellington.

You will provide strategic policy advice, manage a portfolio of climate and environment activities, and contribute to IDC strategies while representing New Zealand in international forums.

Qualifications

• Significant relevant technical experience in climate change or environment planning and delivery in New Zealand and/or the Pacific with a focus on adaptation.
• Experience contributing to complex policy initiatives or investment planning in climate change/environment.
• Experience representing New Zealand in international or regional forums.
• Senior experience in international development policy and programme design.
• Strong understanding of government processes and public sector environment.
• Understanding of The Treaty of Waitangi/Te Tiriti and Māori customs would be beneficial.
• Skilled in applying the Five Case Model and intervention logic.
• Capable in strategic risk analysis, performance evaluation, and partner engagement.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Strong analytical skills for senior audiences.

Responsibilities

• Advise on the shape and direction of the Ministry’s delivery of climate change and environment development programming.
• Provide technical insights and advice into design, delivery, monitoring and evaluation of IDC Programme’s climate and environment activities.
• Manage a portfolio of climate and environment issues and activities.
• Provide advice and insights on climate change and environment in the international development context (Pacific Island countries).
• Contribute to mainstreaming and integrating climate change and environment issues in IDC strategies, policies, programmes and activities.
• Represent the Ministry in domestic and international engagements, influencing stakeholders and advocating for New Zealand’s interests.
• Maintain strong relationships across the Ministry, government agencies, partners, and international development organisations.

Skills

Climate change

Environment planning

International development policy

Policy design

Strategic planning

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical skills

Communication

Te Tiriti understanding

Governance

Five Case Model

Risk analysis

Programme delivery

Job description

Senior Development Adviser – Climate Change and Environment

• Play a key role in shaping New Zealand’s international development outcomes
• Make a meaningful impact on the future of the Pacific
• Two Wellington-based opportunities available: one permanent and one fixed-term through to June 2027

Exciting opportunity to shape climate change and environment policy, programming and delivery within the Pacific and Development Group.

About the role - Kōrero mō te tūranga

As Senior Development Adviser Climate Change and Environment, you will play a pivotal role in how New Zealand plans and delivers climate- and environment-related International Development Cooperation (IDC) investments. You will provide strategic policy advice across complex development and climate change and environment issues. You’ll provide climate change and environment insights that inform senior leaders, Ministers, and international partners. And you will manage a portfolio of climate and environment development activities.

The Climate Change and Environment Unit leads on climate change and environment policy and delivery within the PDG Group.

As Senior Development Adviser, you will:

• Advise on the shape and direction of the Ministry’s delivery of climate change and environment development programming
• Provide technical insights and advice into the design, delivery, monitoring and evaluation of the IDC Programme’s climate and environment activities.
• Manage a portfolio of climate and environment issues and Activities.
• Provide advice and insights on climate change and environment in the international development context (and particularly in the context of Pacific Island countries).
• Contribute to mainstreaming and integrating climate change and environment issues in IDC strategies, policies, programmes and activities.
• Represent the Ministry in domestic and international engagements, influencing stakeholders and advocating for New Zealand’s interests.
• Maintain strong relationships across the Ministry, government agencies, partners, and international development organisations.
• Understanding of The Treaty of Waitangi/Te Tiriti, Te Reo Māori and Māori customs and protocols would be beneficial.

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

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

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

This position requires exceptional analytical skills, political awareness, and the ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments. You will bring expertise in development policy, programme design, and strategic planning.

We’d like to hear from you if you are an experienced climate change or environment practitioner with the following skills and experience:

• Significant relevant technical experience in climate change or environment planning and delivery in New Zealand and/or the Pacific with a specific focus on climate change adaptation (eg food and water security, nature-based resilience solutions, adaptation planning, disaster risk reduction etc).

• Experience contributing to complex policy initiatives or investment planning particularly in climate change/environment.
• Experience representing New Zealand in international or regional forums.
• Demonstrated senior experience in international development policy and programme design.
• Good understanding of international development policy frameworks and sector strategies.
• Skilled in applying the Five Case Model and intervention logic.
• Capable in strategic risk analysis, performance evaluation, and partner engagement.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to produce high-quality insights for senior audiences.
• Proven capability to influence, provide strategic advice, and navigate ambiguity.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Strong understanding of government processes and the public sector environment.
• 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 NewZealand’s interests and pursue NewZealand's values. We provide advice to the Government on the implications for NewZealand of what is happening in the world.

Applications close at 9pm on Wednesday 21 October 2026.

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.

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.