Senior Development Adviser - Fixed Term Contract

About the Role

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) is seeking two experienced Senior Development Advisers to join the Design People and Planet Unit (DZPP) within the Pacific and Development Group, located in Wellington. This unit leads business case development, design, procurement, and contracting for New Zealand's development investments across multiple sectors including health, education, climate change, governance, law, justice, and inclusion.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design of development activities and the preparation of robust business cases using frameworks such as the Five Case Model and established intervention logic.
• Collaborate with bilateral and regional teams to transform Concept Notes into well-structured, approvable investment proposals.
• Enhance system performance by helping develop guidance documents, templates, and design standards to ensure consistent quality.
• Promote the application of design frameworks and processes uniformly across projects.
• Assist in procurement, contracting, and ensure readiness for implementation phases.
• Support monitoring, evaluation, and learning initiatives to help inform decision-making with evidence.
• Manage technical service providers and panels to uphold high standards in design quality.

Required Experience and Skills

• Demonstrated experience in international development and program design, including capability in business case development.
• Strong familiarity with government investment frameworks such as the Five Case Model and design methodologies like theory of change and results-based management.
• Experience contributing to complex policy development or investment planning within public sector contexts.
• Proven ability to improve processes and increase operational efficiency.
• Effective influencing skills, particularly in cross-agency or partner engagement scenarios.
• Sound judgment, political acumen, and knowledge of government machinery and processes.
• A good understanding of international development policy frameworks and sector strategies.
• Competency in strategic risk analysis, performance evaluation, and stakeholder engagement.
• Knowledge of The Treaty of Waitangi/Te Tiriti, Te Reo Māori, and Māori customs and protocols is considered beneficial.

About MFAT

MFAT advances New Zealand’s interests internationally through building relationships and providing Government advice. The Ministry is committed to leadership, talent development, and flexible working arrangements. It holds Rainbow Tick accreditation for inclusivity and seeks applications from diverse candidates.

Additional Information

• These are fixed term roles based in Wellington, New Zealand.
• Two contracts are available: one from as soon as possible until August 2028, another from late October 2026 through June 2027.
• The salary range for this role is $127,417 to $149,902 total remuneration inclusive of KiwiSaver employer contributions, with exact salary depending on experience.
• Applicants must be New Zealand citizens or Permanent Residents and able to obtain a Confidential security clearance.
• This position is not related to foreign policy or diplomatic service but is a corporate specialist role based centrally in Wellington.
• Those interested in foreign policy roles can consider separate graduate or mid-level recruitment pathways.

Application Process

Applications close at midnight on Monday, 17 August 2026. For confidential discussions, contact via the designated recruitment email. Support for access requirements during the recruitment process is available upon request.