Principal Advisor, International Engagement
New Zealand GovernmentJob Description
Mō mātou | About Us
Maritime New Zealand's vision is clear: Preventing Harm. Saving Lives. Securing our Future.
We play a key role in the guardianship of New Zealand's waterways, bringing together aroha, expertise and capability to achieve outcomes across sustainable supply chains and sectors, safe people and operations, secure ports and ships, and clean seas and waterways.
Our values define who we are and how we work together:
- Care | Kia Tika — We care for each other and do the right thing
- Connect | Kotahitanga — We unite in a common purpose
- Courage | Kia Māia — We are brave, capable and confident
Mō tō mātou Rōpū | About the Team
The Partnerships and Engagement Group leads a coordinated, organisation-wide approach to growing strategic partnerships and relationships across the maritime sector and within Maritime NZ. This group's functions span engagement, guidance, education and communications.
The International Engagement function sits within this group and is responsible for ensuring that global and Pacific engagement activity is coordinated, prioritised and aligned with organisational and regulatory outcomes. This function plays a critical role in how Maritime NZ represents Aotearoa on the world stage.
Te Tūnga | The Role
Maritime NZ is undergoing a period of meaningful change — strengthening its sustainability focus and shifting toward more efficient, digitally enabled ways of working. Following an organisational redesign, we are recruiting a number of newly shaped roles that will help position us for the future.
As International Engagement Lead, you will take an organisation-wide view of how Maritime NZ engages internationally. You will be central to shaping the strategy, coordinating executive-level activity and ensuring that our international engagement is purposeful, well-prioritised and delivers real impact for the organisation and the wider maritime system.
This is a senior, influential role that sits at the intersection of strategy and delivery — requiring both the vision to lead and the capability to execute.
Ngā Haepapa | Responsibilities
- Implement and refine the organisation's international engagement strategy
- Prioritise international activity to align with organisational and regulatory outcomes
- Support and coordinate executive-level international engagements and representation
- Strengthen alignment across international and Pacific activity, including the Pacific Maritime Safety Programme (PMSP)
- Provide strategic and operational advice on international trends, risks and opportunities
- Support senior decision-making around international travel, representation and priorities
- Develop tools, guidance and frameworks to support consistent and high-quality engagement across the organisation
- Build organisational capability and improve the quality and impact of international engagement activity
- Monitor and report on the effectiveness of international engagement efforts, identifying opportunities for improvement
Nou te Rourou | What You Bring
You are an experienced international engagement or policy professional who can operate confidently at both strategic and operational levels. You bring strong judgement, political acuity and a proven ability to influence across complex environments.
Essential experience and skills:
- Demonstrated experience in international engagement, policy, diplomacy or a closely related field
- Proven ability to translate strategy into practical delivery and measurable outcomes
- Experience coordinating executive-level engagement, briefings and international representation
- Strong understanding of complex, multi-stakeholder environments and how to navigate them effectively
- Experience advising senior leaders on international issues, risks and opportunities
- Highly developed stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce clear, concise briefings and strategic messaging
- Ability to prioritise competing demands and exercise sound, independent judgement
- A collaborative, outcomes-focused approach to work
- An understanding of New Zealand's role in the Pacific and the importance of meaningful relationships across the region
Mou | For You
Maritime NZ recognises and respects Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to working with Māori to build strong, meaningful and enduring relationships that achieve mutually beneficial outcomes. We aim to be a workplace where everyone feels valued, supported and a genuine sense of belonging.
We actively encourage our people to contribute to a culture where we all thrive and authentically live our Maritime NZ values.
On joining us, you will receive a comprehensive benefits package, including Income Protection and Life Insurance, along with superannuation. Visit our careers page to explore the full range of
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