Senior Policy Adviser - Security

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.  

Senior Policy Adviser - Security

• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is looking for an Senior Policy Adviser - Security to join our hard working team.
• The Security & Organisational Resilence Division is responsible for keeping the Ministry’s people, information and assets safe wherever they may be. We deliver comprehensive, fit for purpose security solutions in a fast paced diverse environment.
• To be successful in this role you need proven Policy writing & some protective security experience, excellent planning and administration skills, and someone who can act quickly and efficiently under pressure.
• Wellington based

Great opportunity, unique in the government sector!

Kōrero mō te tūranga - About the role  

The Senior Advisor Security Policy is responsible for leading the research, development, implementation and ongoing management of the security policy review across the ministry network. This role requires both strategic and critical thinking skills to deliver operational policy that creates a strong, integrated security system for MFAT.

This role focuses on reviewing current security polices and amending said polices related to protective and information security. You will need to be forward thinking and able to anticipate security challenges before they present risks to MFAT.

Key responsibilities include:

Working across the MFAT estate to identify opportunities to enhance the wider security system through the provision of robust policies, policy processes, tools and methodologies to ensure the effective consolidation of robust security policies for MFAT.

Utilising system thinking when reviewing or developing security policies to integrate related processes, systems and frameworks across the MFAT network. Anticipating, understanding and applying relevant legal and compliance-based requirements into the development of all security policy development is thoroughly scoped, planned and reported upon to meet the needs of the ministry and its people.

An experienced professional who is interested in or has previous experience making a tangible contribution to the security of New Zealand. You will have exceptional critical thinking, written communication, and relationship management competencies that you can apply to a diverse work plan. You excel in the ability to translate complex information, easily understood by a diverse group of internal/external audiences.

Additionally you will have:

Strong experience in delivering robust policy within New Zealand Government (advantageous). A thorough understanding of the , security and government sectors (highly desired).Excellent written communication skills with the ability to deliver robust security publications. Effective communication and interpersonal skills.

The Ministry is moving to a new Head Office property in 2025.  This role is being specifically created to support the security polices and practice changes that are required to make this move successful. This is a fixed term role till December 2025.

The official title is "Senior Security Adviser". For more detail you can view a copy of the position description here. 

The salary range for this role from 3 April 2024 is between $104,670 to $141,612 total fixed remuneration per annum, negotiable depending on skills and experience.  The total remuneration is inclusive of our 3% KiwiSaver employer contribution.

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

We’d like to hear from you if you are an experienced Senior Security Adviser with the following skills and experience:

• A person with proven experience assessing design and implementing security systems and practices and/or proven experience, preferably supported by a relevant tertiary qualification
• A person with the ability to build, maintain and leverage relationships with key internal and external contacts.
• A person who shows the drive and resilience to contribute proactively and deliver sustainable high performance
• A person who has excellent and demonstrable verbal and written communication skills

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?

Apply today with your CV and cover letter.

For a confidential discussion please call/email Chris Tubby on chris.tubby@mfat.govt.nz or 021 416 976.

You must be a NZ Citizen or NZ Permanent Resident and able to obtain and maintain a NZ Government National Security clearance at Top Secret level.

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 at midnight on Thursday, 4 April 2024.

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.