Job Description

Senior Advisor, International Engagement

Type: Permanent

Location: Wellington

Applications Close: 5pm Monday 1 June

This is your chance to join the International Engagement team of NEMA, who coordinate NEMA’s international relationships and engagements.

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

This position sits in the International Engagement Unit / Whakawhitiwhiti Ao Whānui, which is responsible for coordinating NEMA’s international relationships and engagements; promoting international cooperation and coordination; enhancing disaster readiness and response; and tracking and reporting on NEMA’s international activities

The purpose of the Senior Advisor, International Engagement is to:

• Lead or support and provide strategic advice on projects and programmes within the International Engagement team, working with others to deliver high quality outcomes.
• Work alongside partner agencies to deliver ongoing advice, strategic and technical advice where required against unit plan, focus on international assistance, and memorandums of cooperation.
• Provide advisory support towards engagement, briefings, and deployments for inter-agency, external collaboration and work programmes.

As NEMA is an operational agency, there may be a requirement to respond to emergency activations in the event of a national emergency response. This may include potentially long hours and challenging working conditions, e.g. an emergency could occur at any time of the day or night and may require working shifts and/or working weekends NEMA provides thorough training prior to you being required to assist in a response. NEMA will do all in its power to support staff in meeting their work and family responsibilities during an emergency. The welfare and wellbeing of our staff is of utmost importance.

Due to the nature of our role in Emergency Management, NEMA has a very dynamic work environment and as a small agency, staff are often required to pivot and change focus on their work at short notice. Attributes of adaptability, agility, resilience and curiosity are all required on a daily basis, in and out of times of emergency response.

Qualifications/Experience / Ngā Tohu/Wheako

Essential:

• Strong understanding of emergency management, disaster risk reduction, or humanitarian systems, gained through policy, operational, or sector‑based experience.
• Politically savvy and aware of government foreign policy priorities, obligations, and protocols.
• Strong experience in engagement, building and maintaining trust and credibility in key relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to analyse complex global trends, risks, and policy settings and translate them into clear, practical advice for senior leaders.
• Well‑developed written and oral communication skills, with experience preparing high‑quality strategic briefings and advice under pressure.
• A tertiary qualification or equivalent in emergency management or related discipline OR an equivalent body of knowledge and experience
• Must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of international disaster and emergency management frameworks (e.g. Sendai Framework, international humanitarian coordination mechanisms).
• Experience related to international assistance, humanitarian response, or international emergency cooperation.
• Proven experience engaging with international or multilateral organisations, foreign government counterparts, or international forums, including representing organisational or national interests.
• Demonstrated cultural competence and experience working across diverse political, cultural, or institutional environments.

Ko wai mātou | About us

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) provides national leadership to New Zealand's distributed emergency management system. NEMA's primary focus is on the performance and capability of the emergency management system as a whole, across all hazards and all risks and the 4 Rs of risk reduction, readiness, response and recovery.

NEMA values diversity and inclusion. We want our workforce to reflect the diversity of our communities. We value and respect the contributions of our people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, skills and perspectives.

We are committed to doing our part to deliver on the Crown's commitments to Māori under Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We strive to actively build te Ao Māori perspectives and capability into our day to day work, values and practices.

Ta matou e tuku | What we offer

We pride ourselves on the quality of our staff and understand the importance of fostering a working environment where excellence is recognised and where staff are encouraged to develop their own talents and potential. We welcome diversity, in all its forms and we believe it is a strength.

NEMA values staff health, safety and wellbeing, and a positive work life balance is encouraged.

The indicative BASE salary range for this role is $108,018 – $117,951.

NEMA offers other benefits such as Department leave, Wellbeing allowance, Vision allowances and more.

Whakaritenga Haumaru | Security Requirements

This position requires New Zealand citizenship or Permanent Residence, and you must satisfactorily complete pre-employment checks which will include, but are not limited to, criminal and credit checks.

Me pehea te tono | How to apply

Please follow the links to apply. For any questions, contact us at NEMATalent@nema.govt.nz . We do not accept unsolicited approaches from agencies or 3rd parties.

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