Stakeholder Engagement Adviser

• There has never been a more exciting time to work on international trade.
• Play a key role in supporting our engagement with stakeholders on trade and economic issues that impact all New Zealanders.
• Help businesses maximise benefits from our network of free trade agreements.
• Permanent role based in Wellington.

About the role - Kōrero mō te tūranga

The Stakeholder Engagement Adviser will be responsible for supporting the Ministry’s Trade and Economic Group’s engagement with domestic and international stakeholders.

As a key member of the Trade Policy Engagement and Implementation team, your work will help sustain and build relationships with key partners including business, civil society and the public. You will be involved in all aspects of planning and effective delivery of events, outreach, and programmes to support exporters to maximise benefits of our free trade agreements.

In this role you will:

• Support implementation of our trade and economic engagement strategy
• Help plan, co-ordinate and deliver events including planning, taking the lead on administrative and logistics, managing relationships with external providers and travel arrangements
• Develop and deliver a range of materials to enable successful stakeholder engagement

For more detail you can view the position description here.

The appointing salary range for this role is $87,672 - $103,143 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 professional with the following skills and experience:

• Event management experience, including managing external service providers and suppliers
• Understanding of project management principles and tools
• Ability to build, maintain and leverage relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all levels
• Well-developed planning and organisational skills, able to prioritise tasks effectively and work under pressure
• Ability to draft materials that convey complex ideas simply and effectively to stakeholders
• A team-player who sets high standards and has an eye for detail
• Strong written and verbal skills
• Prior knowledge or understanding of trade and economic issues is an advantage but not essential
• 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 Friday 27th June 2025.

If you have any questions, please contact recruitment@mfat.govt.nz   

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.