What's your job about?
The Ministry works across trade, aid and development, peace, rights and security, international institutions, and the environment and has 60 posts in 53 countries. My first rotation is in the Partnerships and Funds Unit working on the relationships we have with the NGO (non-governmental organisation) sector to deliver the NZ Aid Programme in the Pacific and beyond.
My work targets vulnerable and marginalised communities and builds economic, education and health resilience, alongside our NZNGO partners to enable a stable, secure, resilient and well-governed Pacific region. My days are varied but generally include meetings with NGO partners, reviewing applications for funding, monitoring incoming reporting on activities we have funded, paying invoices, engaging with the sector and developing advice on wider policy issues such as climate financing or localisation efforts.
A unique part of working in the foreign policy side of the Ministry is that your role is rotational. For the first few years, you are based in the Wellington office as you complete the Foundation Programme and rotate through different teams to build a sound base of knowledge and experience (for example, I have started in the aid and development stream of the Ministry but my next rotation could be a trade, bilateral, policy or environment focused role). After some time building your knowledge and skills, you become eligible for an overseas posting to one of our 60 posts! No two career pathways at the Ministry look the same as people rotate and are posted to different teams and places.
What's your background?
I grew up on a dairy farm on the outskirts of Oamaru, a small town in the South Island. I did my undergraduate studies at the University of Otago where I gained a Bachelor of Arts and Science majoring in Politics and Environmental Management. I was lucky enough to sneak in a full year exchange to Sweden and Canada before COVID hit, this was an invaluable experience and I highly recommend that university students take up an exchange opportunity. It provided a great insight into how other countries viewed the issues I was studying and helped me build cross-cultural skills.
I worked during my university breaks for Oceania Dairy, primarily within the HR team. In the depths of the 2020 lockdown, I applied for the MFAT grad programme (along with many other jobs) and was not successful in getting a role I felt truly passionate about, so I went to Lincoln University to pursue postgraduate study in Environmental Management. It was during this year that I attended the Otago Foreign Policy School and was re-inspired to pursue a career in foreign policy so I reapplied for the MFAT grad programme and was successful. In February 2022 I started with the Ministry. I believe my experiences growing up rurally, working in the primary sector, doing an exchange, combined with my studies, lead me to be suited to the MFAT grad programme.
Could someone with a different background do your job?
Absolutely!! No two people at the Ministry have the same history or bring the same experiences. In my grad cohort alone there are people with backgrounds in fine arts, epidemiology, law, politics, biology, environmental management, climate change and so much more. The Ministry looks for people of broad backgrounds to ensure there is a diversity of thought. No matter your background you could be suited to the Ministry if you are passionate about ensuring a safe, prosperous and sustainable future for New Zealanders. Soft skills are equally as important as technical knowledge.
What's the coolest thing about your job?
The coolest thing about my role is when we receive partner reporting (NZNGO reporting on activities we have funded) and I get to read about, and evaluate, the impact our funding is having at a community level. This can look like people gaining access to fresh drinking water or children who live in highly vulnerable countries learning about climate adaptation or mitigation. These reports can be 50 pages long and it can be tiring reading through them pulling out key info but it is also a great opportunity to reflect on the true impact our work has on individual lives.
What are the limitations of your job?
While my current role does not have any major limitations, a career at MFAT in the foreign policy stream does come with some. A key part of being a foreign policy officer is undertaking postings to our overseas posts. While these provide an incredible opportunity to travel, they also mean you spend years away from family, have to shift your kids around the world and your partner may not be able to work during your posting.
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