Recent graduates from Aotearoa New Zealand’s ethnic communities are being offered a meaningful first employment opportunity in the public service through the Ethnic Communities Graduate Programme. The Programme directly addresses the low representation of ethnically diverse employees and the barriers they face to access employment in the public sector.

How does it do that? By offering recent graduates from ethnic communities a targeted pathway into the public service. We are looking for graduates to participate in the first two intakes of this programme, due to start in July 2021 and January 2022. Selected candidates will be placed in one of several participating agencies, where they will contribute towards their host agency's important mahi, learn from experienced public servants, and receive the support that will set them up to pursue an impactful career in the public sector.

The programme has a duration of 18 months and the roles will be focused on either public policy, policy-related functions, or the delivery of high-quality and efficient public services. It is anticipated that the positions will be mainly Wellington-based, with some positions located in Auckland and Christchurch. A final list of participating agencies for the first intake will be confirmed in the coming months.

Applications for this programme are now open, and are welcome from graduates who:

·       Identify their ethnicity as Middle Eastern, Latin American, African, Asian, or Continental European;

·       have obtained a qualification at the bachelor’s level in NZ or overseas within the last 2 years;

·       have the right to live and work in New Zealand; and

·       are looking for their first employment opportunity in the public service.

The first round of applications for the Ethnic Communities Graduate Programme closes at 5pm, Thursday 25 March 2021.  http://dia.hosting.staffcv.com/job/eb34dadd-5a7c-eb11-8493-002481a57c62/21-129-graduate-auckland-city-nz/

Graduates who come through this Programme will be set up to influence and drive change that directly affects ethnic communities and the whole of New Zealand society. If you know young, talented graduates that care about communities and have a passion for effective public policy, please share this information with them. There is a rewarding career waiting for them at the public service!

For more information, including how to apply, please visit the Office of Ethnic Communities website.