Applications are currently closed. Follow our LinkedIn and Facebook pages and keep an eye on our website for announcements about future intakes.
As a graduate in this programme, you will be employed by the Ministry for Ethnic Communities and seconded to a participating public service agency for 18 months. Your role will be focused on either the delivery of high-quality and efficient public services, public policy or policy-related functions.
Participating host agencies for the third intake are Inland Revenue, Ministry of Transport, New Zealand Customs Service, New Zealand Intelligence Community, New Zealand Police, Te Kawa Mataaho – Public Service Commission.
Secondments will be Wellington-based, unless otherwise stated in the job description.
We welcome graduates who:
- identify as Middle Eastern, Latin American, African, Asian, or Continental European;
- have obtained a qualification at the bachelor’s or post-graduate level in New Zealand 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.
To be successful in this programme you will:
- have skills in problem solving, communicating, and building and maintaining strong professional relationships;
- be a team worker;
- be action-oriented;
- strive for excellence; and
- demonstrate the functional and technical skills required for the job.
If you want a job where the work you do matters to Aotearoa New Zealand, there is a fulfilling career waiting for you in the public service. Bring your whole self to this programme and contribute to work that will make a positive difference.
Tips for applying
Applying for a job can be daunting and you might find it difficult to know where to start. The first step is to take some time to read this document. Here, you can learn about the Ministry for Ethnic Communities, the graduate programme, its participating host agencies and their positions.
You’ll also find useful tips for:
- writing your cover letter
- preparing your resume/CV
- submitting your application.
Writing a cover letter
A cover letter is an opportunity to quickly show:
- why you are interested in joining the graduate programme
- how your skills, experience and interests align with the programme
- why the recruiting team should read your resume/CV.
Tips for writing a cover letter:
- Keep it succinct. This helps the recruiting team to find out more about you in less time. Think of it as an elevator pitch (selling an idea to someone in the timespan of an elevator ride.
- Bullet points are your friend. These can help draw attention to key points and highlight your skills (especially those that align with the job ad and/ or job description)
- Show you have done your research. For example, if your values align with ours and/or a host agencies’, state this and the specific value that we share, like manaakitanga
- Don’t be afraid to stand out. A good-looking cover letter may stick out more than a plain Word document.
Preparing your resume/CV
A resume, or CV, contains the facts about you to back up the cover letter. The resume should be to the point and succinct too and cover off key aspects of your experience.
Tips for writing a resume/CV:
- Include roles you have had and the key responsibilities for the roles
- Transferrable skills from outside of the workforce are important too. Remember to put these in here as well, especially if you are new to the workforce
- Include your education and achievements. Note, if your application is successful, you will likely be required to provide confirmation of your qualification(s)
Submitting your application
To apply for the programme, you will need to complete the Ethnic Communities Graduate Programme Application Form. This is available on our Careers website.
Once you have written a cover letter and checked that your resume is up to date, there are a few things to do before you submit your application.
- Take care to ensure that you have answered all questions in the application form
- Re-read your cover letter to make sure it is clear, and your points relate to the job ad
- Check the cut off time. The recruiting team will process applications as they come in, so consider submitting your application early.
A few things to consider
- You may read about the programme and roles and think you don’t have all the skills, knowledge and experience needed to apply. Some roles will specify need to have qualities, but most can be learned or outweighed by others (such as passion for the area and willingness to learn.
- Not all experience and knowledge come from paid employment. Think about the projects and work you have done while learning and volunteering, with communities and networks. Lots of skills are transferrable to the workplace, so it’s often just a matter of highlighting this for the recruiting team.
- The graduate programme has several host agencies and roles. If you prefer a role, you can tell us in your application form.