Senior Consular Adviser

Senior Consular Adviser

Helping New Zealanders to stay safe when travelling and living abroad is a core part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s work.

Our Consular Division is responsible for providing travel advice to New Zealanders; working with our global network of Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates to prepare for consular events; assisting individuals and their families when they encounter difficulties overseas; and leading the Government’s response to international crises which impact large groups of New Zealanders offshore.

The Ministry is recruiting a Senior Consular Adviser to join our frontline team. You will have the opportunity to hone your case management and people skills, make a real difference to the lives of New Zealanders, and work with a dedicated and collaborative team.

Kōrero mō te tūranga - About the role  

The Senior Consular Adviser provides expert guidance and advice across the Division, working with all three units in the team (case management, emergency response and policy).

In particular you will have the opportunity to:

• Provide coaching and mentoring in the case management team and working with consular advisers across our Post network. The role will be a point of escalation and expertise for the management of complex and high profile cases, and provide thought leadership in how the Ministry manages some of the thematic issues our case managers encounter each day.
• Contribute to our responses to consular emergencies and international crisis situations. In the last year, our work has included evacuations from New Caledonia, Israel and Gaza and responses to Pacific cyclones and other crises in Brazil, Hawaii and Sudan.
• Lead on public communications and operational policy issues, working closely with the Division’s two Lead Advisers.

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

We will be looking for the following skills and experience on your application:

• The ability to engage with New Zealanders and their whanau during times of distress and trauma.
• Sound judgement and decision making skills.
• Strong written and verbal skills.
• The ability to work effectively with composure in crisis situations.
• A collaborative approach that fosters close working relationships with inter-agency and international consular partners.

The full salary range for this role is $87,672 to $118,615 total remuneration, inclusive of our 3% KiwiSaver employer contribution. 

For those that have applicable experience for this role, we would expect to appoint around the midpoint of this range (approximately $103,143).

Please note that you must be available to participate in an after-hours duty roster to provide 24/7 advice and assistance (approximately one week every two-three months).

Me pēhea te tuku tono - To Apply/Interested?

Apply today with your CV and cover letter.

To view the position description please click here.

For further information about the role please contact cons@mfat.govt.nz, attention Matt Gwynne-Devine (Unit Manager, Consular Division).

You must be a New Zealand citizen able to obtain and maintain a New Zealand Government National Security clearance.

Applications close midnight Thursday 4th July.