Divisional Manager Te Poutāiki at Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade, Wellington

The Ministry acts in the world to build a safer, more prosperous and more sustainable future for New Zealanders.

Kia hangai ake e te Manatu he ao-haumaru, ao-tonui, ao-pumau, ki te oranga tonutanga mo Aotearoa whanui.  

• Provide leadership and guide the Ministry’s Mātauranga Māori journey across the entire organisation and offshore
• Provide expert te ao Māori advice and guidance to Senior Leaders
• Guide the development of Mātauranga Māori policies and procedures
• Nurture relationships with Māori and develop authentic relationships with mana whenua

Lead the newly established Te Poutāiki Division to meet and continue to be ambitious about the Ministry’s aspirations to be an honourable Treaty partner, and our obligations in respect of Te Tiriti.

Kōrero mō te tūranga - About the role 

This is a new position at the Ministry and plays a critical role in Manatū Aorere’s continued uplift of Mātauranga Māori. You will provide leadership and guidance on the Ministry’s Māori policy, engagement, and tikanga, and the implementation of the Ministry’s Mātauranga Māori capability efforts, ensuring a strategic approach to building and embedding cultural capacity across the entire organisation and offshore network. You will guide the development of policies and procedures to realise and model the Ministry’s aspirations of genuine and honourable Tiriti partnership.

You will:

• Provide cultural leadership, support and advice to leaders to ensure Māori tikanga and kawa are appropriately supported and applied;
• Provide guidance and advice to the Deputy Chief Executive Policy and the Senior Leadership Team on embedding Te Ao Māori concepts and frameworks across the organisation and within governance bodies;
• Seek and sustain enduring and genuine relationships with Māori built on MFAT’s connections to the world;
• Foster and maintain strong internal relationships with leaders across the Ministry to enhance cultural confidence and competence;
• Contribute to building and embedding cultural capacity and capability across the entire organisation and offshore; and
• Provide guidance and advice to the Chief Executive and their office on te reo Māori and tikanga Māori.

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

The salary range for this role is $219,998 to midpoint $258,809 total fixed remuneration, inclusive of our 3% KiwiSaver employer contribution, negotiable depending on your level of experience.

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

The successful applicant should have:

• Ability to retain a high-level security clearance
• Ability to apply the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in a policy setting, and have a strong understanding of te reo me ona tikanga Māori
• Have an extensive understanding of Māori values and knowledge including the history, traditions and stories on which they are based
• Have established and effective relationships with a broad range of Māori partners and stakeholders
• Ability to influence a range of internal and external stakeholders to apply te Āo Māori principles and practices to their work, and encourage personal development.
• Strong leadership experience with the ability to guide teams through developing and embedding new ways of working.

Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Aorere - Why MFAT?

We are committed to a focus on leadership, talent, training and development, and flexible work options.  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. 

You can find out more about our staff networks and our Diversity and Inclusion Strategy here

Mō mātou - About us

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. 

Me pēhea te tuku tono - To Apply/Interested?

Apply today with your CV and cover letter.

For queries, please email mataurangamaori@mfat.govt.nz

You MUST be a NZ Citizen or NZ Permanent Resident and able to obtain and maintain a NZ Government National Security clearance.

Use this online tool to self-check your eligibility for a TOP SECRET security clearance. Please note that this tool is not part of the formal security clearance process:

http://www.protectivesecurity.govt.nz/eligibility-tool

Let us know if you need any support or have any access requirements that will help you through the recruitment process.

Applications close on Sunday, 1 Oct 2023 at midnight