Policy Adviser, Geneva (Switzerland) 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.  

Policy Adviser Humanitarian, Geneva (Switzerland)

• Shape and advance New Zealand’s global humanitarian work
• Advance New Zealand’s foreign and development policy
• Based in Switzerland - at the Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva. 

Join a dynamic, high performing team representing NZ’s foreign, development and humanitarian policy interests in Geneva.

Kōrero mō te tūranga - About the role  

This Policy Adviser position is a unique opportunity to contribute to the advancement of New Zealand’s humanitarian interests. You’ll manage New Zealand’s humanitarian engagement with UN and other agencies in Geneva (working closely with New Zealand teams in Wellington and New York) and provide insights on trends and important developments in areas of interest and relevance to New Zealand’s humanitarian policy priorities. The role also contributes to other global interests for New Zealand, including refugee and migration related work.

• Your monitoring, reporting and advice on migration and refugee issues and key issues such as the humanitarian impacts of health threats, conflict, climate change and natural disasters is critical to the Permanent Mission’s success.
• You’ll develop and support opportunities for New Zealand to profile its engagement and contribution to international humanitarian issues and events.
• You’ll contribute to the Permanent Mission’s pool of knowledge and relationships that matter: decision-makers, policy-makers, thinkers and influencers. This includes developing and maintaining complex relationships with Member States and international agencies.
• As a UN Delegate representing a Member State, you’ll attend in-person and online meetings and negotiations.
• Please carefully review the position description attached to the advert on our careers pages for detailed information about this role.

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

The appointment range is CHF 97,685 to CHF 114,923 – negotiable depending on experience.

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

We’d like to hear from you if you are an experienced policy adviser with the following skills and experience:

• Proven skills in written and oral communication including the ability to effectively present New Zealand positions and negotiate for desired outcomes.
• Able to demonstrate ability to work autonomously within guidelines, with sound judgement and a keen sense of political sensitivity and acumen.
• Able to quickly form professional networks, while demonstrating cultural sensitivity.
• Proven ability to operate in a fast-paced and busy environment, adapt to ambiguity and changing situations, balance priorities and work to tight deadlines.
• Strong knowledge of New Zealand society and culture and sense of New Zealand identity including tikanga and Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles.

Ideally you will also have a good understanding of tikanga (Māori customs and protocols), with the ability to weave te ao Māori (the Māori worldview) into your work. 

If you are just starting on this journey that’s OK too – as long as you have a willingness to learn and a desire to develop your cultural capability.  As a Te Tiriti o Waitangi partner, this is important to us and we offer training and support. 

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?

To find out more and/or apply, please email your CV and cover letter (no more than 2 pages) to mission.nz@bluewin.ch with the subject line “POLICY ADVISER VACANCY”.

PLEASE DO NOT use the 'Apply with Seek' or 'Apply' buttons below. Only applications emailed to the above email address will be considered.

Applications must be in English and will close at 7pm on Monday 16th September 2024 (NZT).

To be considered for this position you must be a New Zealand Citizen or 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 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.

Please note: If the successful candidate has worked or lived in New Zealand and are subsequently employed as locally engaged staff in a NZ Government Embassy or High Commission, they may, subject to individual circumstances, have NZ Tax Residency obligations. We advise any applicant, who may be in this situation, to discuss their tax residency status with the NZ Inland Revenue (IRD) and determine any potential personal tax obligations to IRD.

The successful candidate will be responsible for their own relocation to Geneva but the Permanent Mission will assist with obtaining a legitimation card, an authorization to work for a diplomatic mission in Switzerland.

For further information about the Permanent Mission you can find us on Twitter @NZUNGVA and at our web address.