Technical Lead

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.  

• Opportunity to join a diverse team supporting the New Zealand International Development (IDC) Programme
• Your skills will support improvements that New Zealand is implementing across the globe.
• Wellington CBD based with flexible working from home options
• This is a fixed term role, to run through to 30 April 2026.

Use your skills to drive positive change across the world!

Kōrero mō te tūranga - About the role  

This role will be a member of the Development Data and Systems Team (DDS). The team’s primary function is to manage and continuously improve data, systems and reporting that relate to the New Zealand IDC Programme (formerly the New Zealand Aid Programme). DDS sits within the Pacific and Development Group (PDG), which leads an integrated approach to New Zealand’s diplomatic and development engagement with Pacific countries and is responsible for the implementation of the New Zealand Aid Programme globally. More specifically, this role will be a member of the project team responsible for transitioning PDG’s Programme and Activity Management System from an older on-premise version, to a new cloud product.

The Technical Lead is responsible for managing and coordinating the technical stream of the project, ensuring that all internal IT processes and stage-gates are known and adhered to. The position works collaboratively with the project manager to ensure the success of the project.  As part of your role:

• You’ll plan, manage and coordinate the technical workstream.
• You’ll manage the data migration workstream and dependencies.
• You’ll facilitate workshops and be involved with troubleshooting.
• You’ll plan and implement operational handover.

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

The full salary range for this role is $104,670 - $141,612 total remuneration, inclusive of our 3% KiwiSaver employer contribution. We expect to appoint depending on your level of experience.  

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

We’d like to hear from you if you have the following skills and experience:

• Minimum five years’ experience in a technical lead/coordination role.
• Experience in successfully delivering an enterprise technology system in a complex and changing environment.
• Excellent understanding of the software development lifecycle.
• Expert problem solving and facilitation 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.

If you have any queries about the role, please email Julie Young on: julie.young@mfat.govt.nz

To be employed with Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade you must be a NZ Citizen or Permanent Resident. 

You must be able to obtain and maintain a CONFIDENTIAL security clearance. Ordinarily, to obtain this level of clearance candidates must have sufficient checkable background in countries where meaningful and reliable checks can be undertaken. Where requisite checks are unable to be made, the candidate application may not be able to be progressed.

Use this online tool to self-check your eligibility for a CONFIDENTIAL clearance. Please note that this tool is not part of the formal security clearance process: http://www.protectivesecurity.govt.nz/eligibility-tool

Please 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 Monday, 3 March 2025.

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.