Mō te tūranga
About the role
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Specialisations
Education & Support roles | Navy Reserve | Officers & Management
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Entry type
Officer entry, Navy Reserve
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Daily Initial Rate
$224
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Location
Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin
The NZDF conducts public affairs to enhance relationships, strengthen trust, inspire confidence and achieve communication and engagement outcomes, in order to enable NZDF strategic and operational effectiveness. NZDF informs and educates identified audiences about NZDF and its activities in ways that are consistent with NZDF values, adhere to our legal requirements, and meet the moral and ethical expectations of New Zealanders.
Defence Public Affairs (DPA) creates, engages, educates and advises to strengthen trust, inspire confidence and achieve NZDF communication and engagement outcomes. A central purpose of DPA is to maintain and enhance the reputation of the NZDF. Along with this, DPA supports New Zealand Government and NZDF policy, strategy and objectives and acts as trusted advisers for the leaders and people of the NZDF. Through the provision of creative services (including content development, editing, imagery, and design), digital expertise, marketing, media relations and business partnership, DPA provides for the integration of NZDF public affairs activity.
As a Public Affairs Officer, you will provide strategic and tactical advice to military commanders on communications and media issues, prepare and implement communications and media plans, communicate the NZDF’s direction through media, Internet and intranet channels, and seek out and prepare content for publication. You may also be required to provide media training to NZDF personnel.
There are opportunities for Public Affairs Officers to deploy with RNZN ships, on exercises, and on operations. You may deploy individually or as part of a team. As you progress within your career, you will receive both formal leadership training and on the job training. You will also gain the experience needed to lead a team and to coordinate communications and media requirements.
Requirements
Basics
- Must be 18 years old by the time you graduate from recruit course.
- Eligible to meet national security clearance criteria, as stipulated by the Government's Protective Security Requirements.
Education
You must have either:
- NCEA Level 3 with University Entrance, or a recognised qualification of an equivalent standard, and five years of practical organisational communications specialist or media experience; or
- a relevant, organisational communication or media related degree and two years of practical industry experience.
Fitness & Medical
Citizenship
There are strict citizenship and security requirements to gain the SV security clearance required for this trade. You must be free of any criminal convictions for the previous two years.
We offer guidance on entry requirements in our eligibility section. Apply if you're uncertain, as we’ll work through the criteria with you to determine if you can proceed.
Career progression and training
01Training Overview
Training Overview
During your first 11 months in the Navy, you will be taught core military, mariner and leadership skills in order to be an effective officer in the Navy.
Basic Training - Junior Officer Common Training: This initial training is known as Junior Officer Common Training (JOCT) and begins with nine days at Devonport Naval Base and the Tamaki Leadership Centre in Whangaparaoa.
Job Training: Training as a Reserve Public Affairs Officer is developed case by case in consultation with the Public Affairs Manager (Navy).
On-going Career Progression: Your hard work, experience and training accomplishments as a Public Affairs Officer are rewarded by promotions in rank and salary.
Course dates will be advised by your Candidate Engagement Facilitator as part of your recruitment journey.
02Time Commitment
Time Commitment
Reservists who have not previously served in the Regular Force (ab initio Reservists) commit to a minimum cumulative total of 20 days’ service each year for professional development and operational delivery. This is made up of a minimum of 14 days of full-time training, exercises, operational activity and/or supplementation to the Regular Force plus weeknight and weekend training. An additional 20 days is available for supplementary activities that benefit both individual Reservists and the NZDF.
Weekend training may also include Friday evenings. Longer exercises are conducted over periods ranging from four to 14 days. Naval Reservists receive a daily rate of pay, commensurate with their rank and experience, and this encompasses travel time required to attend training.
03Basic Training - JOCT
Basic Training - JOCT
During your first 11 months in the Navy, you will be taught core military, mariner and leadership skills in order to be an effective officer in the Navy. This initial training is known as Junior Officer Common Training (JOCT) and begins with nine days at Devonport Naval Base and the Tamaki Leadership Centre in Whangaparaoa.
JOCT continues once you return to your home unit, with weekend training once a month, one evening of training each week, and self-study. You will also complete another week of full-time training in August and again in November, focusing on leadership skills.
Reserve officers receive the same initial training as their Regular Force counterparts. This includes parade training (drill), an introduction to the laws of armed conflict, first aid, naval customs and ceremonies, communications, an introduction to damage control, and small arms.
Upon the successful completion of JOCT, you will typically be promoted from Midshipman to Sub-Lieutenant and begin your familiarisation with Defence Public Affairs.
04Job Training - PAO
Job Training - PAO
Training as a Reserve Public Affairs Officer is developed case by case in consultation with the Public Affairs Manager (Navy) and Director of Defence Public Affairs.
The job training pipeline will be further refined and advised in due course.
05Career Progression
Career Progression
It is a requirement for all promotions that you be medically and physically fit. You will be eligible for promotion to Lieutenant once you have obtained three years of seniority as a Sub-Lieutenant, have your Commanding Officer’s recommendation, and have completed three courses alongside your Regular Force counterparts: the Lead Leaders course (five days), the Divisional Management Course (two weeks), and the Incident Managers Damage Control course (five days).
Promotion to Lieutenant Commander and above is based on merit. Promotion to Lieutenant Commander requires the completion of the Intermediate Command and Staff Course (Joint) or an equivalent international course. Promotion to Lieutenant Commander and Commander is also subject to minimum lengths of service and seniority in rank.
Salary & Benfits
As a Navy Reserve Officer, the minimum remuneration you will be paid is a daily rate, plus an allowance for holiday pay. The NZDF also pays 4% Kiwisaver on top of your personal contribution. Your remuneration will increase on promotion and seniority.
Am I fit enough?
If you want to be part of the NZ Defence Force you need to be medically and physically fit for military duties worldwide.
Medical & Fitness
The application process
Your step-by-step guide on what to expect at various stages of the application process, specifically for military roles.
Application process