Senior Policy Adviser, Vanuatu - Fixed term until 30 October 2027

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Wellington; On-site; NZD 130,000 - 176,000; Full time

Job summary

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Wellington, NZ, is seeking a Senior Policy Adviser for the Vanuatu portfolio on a fixed-term basis until 30 October 2027. The role focuses on shaping NZ’s development partnership with Vanuatu, delivering outcomes, and coordinating across government to advance NZ's development and foreign policy objectives.

The position involves working with MFAT teams and external partners, with opportunities to contribute to complex policy work in a dynamic environment

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience leading development programmes or portfolios, including strategic planning, investment oversight, performance management, and risk management.
• Experience in international development policy and programme design.
• Experience providing high-quality strategic policy advice and influencing decision-making in complex operating environments.
• Strong relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills, with experience working across government, international organisations, NGOs, and/or regional partners.
• Understanding of The Treaty of Waitangi/Te Tiriti, Te Reo Māori and Māori customs and protocols would be beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Shape the future of New Zealand’s significant development partnership with Vanuatu.
• Manage the planning, design and delivery of important development outcomes in a dynamic environment.
• Lead engagement across New Zealand Government departments and organisations to advance New Zealand’s development and foreign policy objectives in Vanuatu.

Skills

Development portfolios

International development policy

Strategic policy advice

Relationship management

Māori concepts (Waitangi/Tiriti)

Job description

Senior Policy Adviser, Vanuatu – Fixed term until 30 October 2027

• Shape the future of New Zealand’s significant development partnership with Vanuatu.
• Manage the planning, design and delivery of important development outcomes in a dynamic environment.
• Lead engagement across New Zealand Government departments and organisations to advance New Zealand’s development and foreign policy objectives in Vanuatu.

Exciting opportunity to lead New Zealand’s development engagement with Vanuatu.

About the role - Kōrero mō te tūranga

This position manages our significant development programme in Vanuatu, with a key technical focus on achieving bilateral development outcomes within a challenging and dynamic environment. This is an opportunity to work in a rewarding area where you can see tangible outcomes from your work. You will work closely with New Zealand’s High Commission in Port Vila and develop a detailed understanding of the development and political issues which impact on development cooperation. You will work with teams across MFAT and with departments and organizations outside the Ministry. There will be opportunities to be involved in complex and fast-moving policy work as well.

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

The full salary range for this role is $129,965 to $175,835 total remuneration, inclusive of our 3% KiwiSaver employer contribution.

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

We’d like to hear from you if you are an experienced Senior Policy Adviser with the following skills and experience:

• Demonstrated experience leading development programmes or portfolios, including strategic planning, investment oversight, performance management, and risk management.
• Experience in international development policy and programme design.
• Experience providing high-quality strategic policy advice and influencing decision-making in complex operating environments.
• Strong relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills, with experience working across government, international organisations, NGOs, and/or regional partners.
• 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, or Perm 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.

Applications close at 9pm on Monday 19th October 2026.

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.