Main purpose of job:

This is a fascinating time to join the UK in New Zealand (UKinNZ) team at a time of global uncertainties, challenges and opportunities. The bilateral relationship with New Zealand is a priority for the UK. 

The work of the UK in New Zealand (British High Commission in Wellington and Consulate-General in Auckland) covers the full range of UK Government interests – political, trade, defence, science, economics, climate and consular. We operate in an exciting, fast-paced environment, working closely with New Zealand on a wide range of issues that reinforce our shared values and deliver on UK priorities such as growth and security.

You will work from the British Consulate General in Auckland as part of the Political Team, working to the Wellington-based Lead Political Adviser. Your role supports the delivery across the range of the UK’s objectives in New Zealand by coordinating public diplomacy activities both in Auckland and more broadly. You will identify opportunities to support the promotion of UK policy objectives through soft power activities, visits, and events. You will support the British High Commission’s work on community engagement, specifically managing our youth and Pasifika engagement. You will lead delivery of our Chevening scholarship programme.

Strong communications skills will also be a key part of your role. You will support the Wellington-based Comms team with identifying comms opportunities in Auckland, as well as supporting the development of content for social media and digital comms. You will also have a role in crisis comms for the UKinNZ network. 

The Public Affairs Officer will help to promote a strong, productive and mutually beneficial UK-New Zealand bilateral relationship; and promote the UK, and its values and culture in New Zealand. The role offers a great opportunity to gain first hand exposure to diplomacy, to develop transferable skills and create networks that will add depth and breadth to your CV.

You provide a critical function advising and challenging at all levels, from senior leadership down. Collaboration is essential. To deliver your own goals, you will need to understand and engage on other teams’ interests, identifying links and prioritising across a busy portfolio.

You will join a small and friendly team. We welcome applicants who reflect New Zealand’s cultural and ethnic diversity.  We aspire to reflect the bicultural nature of New Zealand. The British High Commission is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer. We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law.

The UK in New Zealand sometimes responds to crises that affect the UK, New Zealand or the Pacific. At those times, you may be required to operate outside your usual role as part of our crisis team if we reprioritise and suspend some or all of our usual business. From time to time, you or the wider UKinNZ team will be asked to host or attend events out of hours

Roles and responsibilities:

The three key parts of the role are: 

1. Public diplomacy. You will support the delivery of public diplomacy activities in Auckland and the wider network, including through events and high-level visits. You will additionally manage a range of public engagement programmes for the whole UKinNZ network, with a particular focus on Pasifika and youth. This will involve setting up and running a young professionals’ network, and coordinating and organising engagement opportunities with youth and Pasifika in Auckland and across NZ. You will also be responsible for marketing and delivering our annual Chevening scholarships programme.
2. Communications. You will support the Wellington-based Communications team for events, engagements and visits in Auckland and the wider network. You will identify Auckland-based comms opportunities relevant to the work of the broader UKinNZ network. You will support development of comms material for social and digital media. You will also contribute to preparedness for crisis communications, and play a role in comms in the event of a crisis.
3. Programme Support. You will provide programme administrative support across the Political Team and Foreign and Security Policy Team.

• A minimum of two years’ experience in New Zealand central or local government, policy, public affairs or similar role
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Experience in events, and/or public communication or public diplomacy campaigns
• A sound understanding of New Zealand politics and public policy
• Strong relationship management skills