Partnerships Project Officer

• Become an international development specialist
• Engage on a range of community-level development issues
• Work closely with NGOs delivering development programmes globally
• Wellington based - permanent

Manage a diverse portfolio of international development projects delivered through NGOs in the Pacific and beyond, funded through a contestable fund. 

About the role - Kōrero mō te tūranga

The Project Officer provides effective project management of a portfolio of activities in partnership with NZ NGOs. This includes appraisal of development activity concepts and designs, monitoring delivery, assessing annual reports, overseeing financial reporting and budgets, and identifying and managing risks.

• You will have a portfolio of 10-15 activities that you will have a high degree of autonomy in managing (but we’ll support you as you learn)
• You will manage relationships with NGOs, negotiate contracts and understand the operating environments of each of the projects
• You’ll support other projects including our annual hui with NZ NGO partners and other MFAT engagements with the NGO sector
• You’ll have opportunity to feel you are really making a difference when disasters strike by participating in New Zealand’s responses to Pacific and global humanitarian emergencies.
• You’ll have the chance to visit projects on the ground through occasional travel, largely in the Pacific.

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

The full salary range for this role is $70,784 to $90,446 total remuneration, inclusive of our 3% KiwiSaver employer contribution. The midpoint is $78,649 – we expect to appoint depending on your level of experience.  

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

We’d like to hear from you if you are early in your career with a mix of the following skills and experience - you may not have all of the following but if you think you meet some or most, we would definitely be keen to hear from you:

• A relevant tertiary degree
• Delivering and/or managing projects
• International development and/or Pacific knowledge
• Good with numbers and Excel
• Strong oral and written communication
• 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 Apply/Interested? - Me pēhea te tuku tono?

Apply today with your CV and cover letter.

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.

Applications close at midnight on Tuesday, 20 May 2025.

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.