Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
2026 Postings - Band 18 and Below
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Expressions of Interest – 2026 First and Second Secretary Postings
Expressions of Interest (EOIs) are now open for First Secretary and Second Secretary offshore postings. Eligible staff are invited to apply.
The EOI application process is open for three weeks, closing on Sunday, 9 August 2026 at 9pm (NZT). We are unable to accept late applications. You must be at level to apply for available roles.
This year's process introduces a two-step EOI process for candidates applying for First and Second Secretary positions (only). The piloted changes are intended to:
- Improve the candidate experience
- Reduce duplication and administrative effort
- Streamline the collection and assessment of candidate information
- Improve the efficiency of the overall postings process
The new process will consist of:
Step 1 – SuccessFactors
Apply in SuccessFactors to register as a candidate for the posting round.
Step 2 – Microsoft Forms
Complete an EOI form through Microsoft Forms capturing key information including citizenship and security clearance details, personal circumstances, role preferences and motivations, key achievements, employment history (replacing the CV upload requirement), language capabilities, along with any other information relevant to their application.
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Link: 2026 Posting Submission (Step 2) - EOI for First and Second Secretary Roles – Fill out form
You must be signed into your MFAT Orange Account to submit the Microsoft Form. If you are unable to access SuccessFactors or Microsoft Forms to apply by 9 August 2026, please contact Postings@mfat.govt.nz.
2026 Schedule of Roles - First and Second Secretary (Band 18 and below)
Details provided by Post on roles in this year’s round can be found in the Postings Role Schedule. There may be changes made to this schedule throughout the advertising period as roles may be added or removed. Any changes will be clearly noted.
Staff are not required but are encouraged to apply for at least three roles. To increase the likelihood of being selected for a posting, we recommend that you consider a broad range of opportunities that are offered, including posting categories and geographical locations.
Long-term language roles (Second Secretary)
PO1 (Band 15) are welcome to express interest in roles that have long term language training of 77+ weeks. There are currently only two roles in the round where this applies.
Candidate Due Diligence
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Before applying for a Post, carefully consider factors such as dual citizenship/nationality requirements, your personal circumstances (including family, partner employment opportunities, healthcare, childcare and any applicable Dependent Employment Agreement (DEA) etc.), and whether your partnership is recognised by the receiving state.
For more information, a range of resources are available, including the Applying for a posting checklist: is this location right for me? and Posting videos.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Staff should take the time to read the relevant Frequently Asked Questions for the posting process. This document outlines information related to:
- Postings process
- Eligibility/Criteria
- Candidate requirements
- FPQA Panel
- Current Selection Principles and Criteria
- Posting offer process
- Where to seek support/guidance
Resources
- Postings Role Schedule (2026)
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Postings Candidate Checklist
- EOI Questions (to support preparation)
- FPQA Panel Representatives
Questions or Advice?
If you have any questions that are not answered through the above resources, please feel free to contact Postings@mfat.govt.nz.
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