Senior Development Adviser, Governance and Inclusion

Mfat; Wellington; On-site; NZD 130,000 - 153,000; Full time

Job summary

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) in Wellington seeks a Senior Development Adviser to advance governance and inclusion outcomes in the Pacific region. The role involves policy advice, programme design and partnership-building with regional and international partners.

The role contributes to MFAT's Development People and Planet Division, with a focus on gender equality, disability inclusion, social inclusion, human rights and good governance.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of relevant governance, inclusive development or international development policy experience, preferably in Pacific or developing country contexts.
• Strong analytical ability, political awareness and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality development advice on governance, GEDSI, and inclusion in the Pacific and other regions.
• Lead or contribute to the design, implementation and oversight of development investments.
• Contribute analysis on gender equality, disability inclusion, social inclusion and human rights, identifying risks and opportunities.
• Represent MFAT in bilateral, regional and multilateral engagements.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external partners.

Skills

Governance

Inclusion

Gender Equality

Human Rights

Policy Analysis

Job description

Senior Development Adviser, Governance and Inclusion

Date: 22 Oct 2026

Location: Wellington, NZ, 6011

Description:

Senior Development Adviser – Governance and Inclusion

• Make a meaningful impact on good governance and inclusion outcomes in the Pacific region
• Build partnerships and represent NZ in regional engagements
• Wellington based fixed-term role to 30 June 2027

An exciting opportunity to shape good governance and equitable development policy, programming, and delivering for MFAT's Pacific and Development Group.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade works to build a safer, more prosperous and more sustainable future for New Zealanders. The Pacific and Development Group leads New Zealand's international development cooperation, partnering to support stability, resilience, inclusive growth and sustainable development across the Pacific.

We are seeking a Senior Development Adviser – Governance and Inclusion to join our team in the Development People and Planet Division. The role contributes to the Ministry's international development objectives by providing high quality policy, technical and programme advice across areas related to gender equality and women's empowerment, disability inclusion, social inclusion, human rights, good governance, institutional strengthening, and transparency.

About the role - Kōrero mō te tūranga

The Senior Development Adviser will contribute expertise in governance and inclusion, which may include areas such as gender equality and women's empowerment, disability inclusion, social inclusion, human rights and related aspects of international development cooperation, supporting partners to strengthen systems, inclusive development and equitable outcomes.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing high-quality development advice across gender equality and women's empowerment, disability inclusion, social inclusion, human rights and governance in the Pacific and other regions.
• Leading or contributing to the design, implementation and oversight of development investments that align with partner priorities and Ministry frameworks.
• Contributing analysis on gender equality and women's empowerment, disability inclusion, social inclusion, human rights and governance, including identifying risks, opportunities and context relevant considerations.
• Representing MFAT in bilateral, regional and multilateral engagements.
• Building and maintaining effective relationships with internal and external partners.

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. We expect to appoint depending on your level of experience.

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

We are seeking applicants with exceptional analytical skills, political awareness, and the ability to navigate complex stakeholder relationships. You will bring expertise in development policy, programme delivery, and strategic planning.

We recognise that capability relevant to strengthening good governance and advancing GEDSI can be developed through a range of professional pathways, and we are interested in hearing from candidates who can bring insight, judgement and a considered approach that will contribute effectively to our work with Pacific partners. We also recognise that candidates may have experience in some but not all areas within the team's mandate, and we encourage you to outline the focus areas in which you have relevant experience.

Building on this, we are interested in candidates with a minimum of 5 years of experience relevant to governance, inclusive development or international development policy and programming, particularly in Pacific or developing country contexts. You will bring analytical capability, political awareness and clear written and verbal communication, alongside a collaborative and culturally responsive approach. The ability to build trusted relationships in diverse stakeholder environments, and an understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, tikanga Māori and Ministry values, will also be important.

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.

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. 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.

Applications close at 9pm on Sunday 1 November 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.