Salary at Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade

Is good.

I think in this economy one can never be too happy with salary and while on the whole of it is a good entry pay for a graduate role, some of us are not actually graduates in the purest sense. If anything this idea that we all start on the same salary point from an equity perspective is actually not fair nor is it right because the base skill you are bringing in even if it isn't in foreign policy is markedly different to someone who comes straight from university who is entering this area as their first professional job. We don't get bonuses so even if you are working longer hours, you only get TIL so bonuses are irrelevant.

I think the pay is reasonable for a graduate salary and is certainly better than what most other graduates are making in Wellington, although it is also true the public sector pays poorly and most graduates could be making a lot more in the private sector. I think going forward that will be an issue for retaining the younger generation of policy officers, particularly those who are impatient to go on posting. The Ministry is losing young talented people all the time for this reason.

Pay is fair for new starters, and there is a clear progression model for how pay rises with promotions.

The yearly review gives good opportunity to access pay raises, however I could make more at a private company. Bonuses don't exist as far as I am aware.

It is pretty good for a grad role but does not increase as much as other ministries relative to position when you get to senior policy officer position. Bonuses are good and there are lots of opportunities for well-payed travel.

Pay is good, but still slightly tight at the entry level. As you progress pay becomes very good.

The starting rate for graduates is quite reasonable.

Good starting pay but levels out quickly.

The pay for a graduate is competitive but working public sector you will be out scaled by private sector counterparts in 4-6 years. Government pay freeze affects mobility through pay bands. Nill bonus opportunities.

Current pay freeze is frustrating. Progression is also very rigid and structured.

All very reasonable and well-handled, and the HR people are improving things fairly regularly.

Very ridged not much room to progress if you are able without first completing time

You will not get rich by any means here. People work here because they enjoy the job. The starting grad wage is average but progression is much slower than most jobs.

I think that the grads are reasonably paid but the PO2s/SPOs get stuck.

In the public sector there is not much room for negotiation on pay, I don't think people enter the public sector for the salary. Starting graduate salary is around $62,000.

The pay is very good for a new grad and the pay progression is good once you have been here for a year or two.

Could be better.

The travel opportunities

Moving expenses, travel for work, etc

5 weeks annual leave, ability to add personal travel on to work trips, accommodations made for families at Post

5 weeks leave is generous!

Having the opportunity to live overseas and travel!

Moving expenses, eye-care expenses, paid travel.

Potential to travel domestically and overseas for work. Potential to be part of events with free food, transport. Potential to attend or take time of for developing your own capabilities and skills, including study that may be relevant to your job, or travel to attend seminars, conferences etc. Generous leave: 1-week annual leave in addition to the minimum.

Free glasses, work travel, diplomatic passport

Opportunity to be posted overseas at a Embassy or High Commission, paid language training, living overseas, general travel to conferences and events (when travel is available).

Travel expenses that are reasonable are paid for. Flexible working policy.

Many opportunities for international travel early in career.

I really value how simply the health and well-being subsidy is handled.

access to high level gov officials and being in the conversation

No bonuses. Free data is good. You will get many extras in technology/travel but these are strictly for work and not your personal life

TRAVEL. + wellbeing fund which is $500 paid out midyear.

The obvious perk is the opportunity to travel for work, including being sent on posting around the world for years at a time.

Regular international travel

If you are a new grad and shifting from outside of the Wellington region then they will help with some of the moving expenses, there is a yearly well being bonus as well!

Moving expenses.