Policy Adviser (m/f/x), New Zealand Embassy Berlin

The New Zealand Embassy in Berlin is recruiting a Policy Adviser (m/f/x) to support our diplomatic staff and contribute to the advancement of New Zealand’s interests in Germany, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. The successful candidate would ideally start in July 2022.

We are a small, committed team in Berlin, and part of the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s global network. We aspire to be a workplace that values and utilises diverse and inclusive thinking, people and behaviours. This means that our staff reflect the diversity of New Zealand and the countries we work in. We are strongly motivated, committed, and innovative to make a difference for New Zealanders and through shared interests with the countries we work with.

• Impact: We achieve for New Zealand, every day, everywhere
• Kotahitanga: We draw strength from our diversity
• Courage: We do the right thing
• Manaakitanga: We honour and respect others

We recognise the importance of staff having flexibility around work hours and working arrangements to balance meeting our goals and well-being. In turn, there may be some situations where our business deliverables require staff to be available during certain hours of the day or for longer periods to meet a temporary surge in work requirements.

About the Position

The Policy Adviser (m/f/x) is responsible for contributing to the advancement of New Zealand’s foreign policy interests by supporting the Embassy’s engagement with government officials, local contacts, and the business community in the cross-accreditations and the German Bundesländer. This includes economic and political monitoring, conducting research and analysis and preparing reports, briefings and other documentation, as well as organising visits.

The Policy Adviser (m/f/x) also contributes to the Embassy’s public diplomacy by leading the management of our social media presence and relevant public diplomacy initiatives, such as political and cultural events organised or supported by the Embassy. They also manage visits by the Ambassador, VIPs, and staff to Bundesländer and countries of accreditation.

• Support the Embassy’s engagement with the Czech Republic, Liechtenstein and Switzerland and with the German Bundesländer;
• Organise visits to countries of accreditation for Embassy staff and high-level visitors.
• Monitor, identify, and research key political/social, trade/economic issues as well as broader emerging trends;
• Provide ongoing reporting on political and economic issues and developments of interest to New Zealand;
• Identify potential contacts of interest and effectively contribute to the Embassy’s network of relationships;
• Manage and amplify the Embassy’s social media presence (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram);
• Organise political public diplomacy initiatives (panel discussions, webinars etc.) and support cultural events in Germany and the cross-accreditations;
• Regularly manage general enquiries and information requests about New Zealand and assist providing consular advice.

Required Qualifications & Experience:

• Minimum tertiary qualification (Bachelor level); Master Degree in political sciences, public policy, international relations, law, or economics preferred.
• Two-four years’ experience in a similar role is desirable.

Skills and knowledge:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in both English and German (both C2 level);
• Strong writing and communication skills and ability to turn complex issues into concise and valuable policy input;
• Deep understanding and knowledge of the German political system, and preferably sound understanding of the EU’s institutional framework and decision-making processes;
• Knowledge of New Zealand, its policy settings and political, economic, social and cultural environment is an asset;
• Proficient use of social media platforms, esp. Twitter, Instagram and Facebook;
• Organisational skills and experience in event management;
• Highly competent in Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Word and Excel);
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective relationships and working within a team.

• a letter of motivation (one page maximum), outlining their relevant work experience and qualifications for the position and reasons for interest in working at the New Zealand Embassy; and
• a CV (three pages maximum) including contact details of at least two referees – please ensure these referees are prepared to speak to an Embassy employee before sharing their details.

Please send these documents as one single PDF file to BERApplications@mfat.govt.nz with the subject line: “Application: Policy Adviser” by Sunday 19 June 2022.