Ministry of Foreign Affairs staff are likely to be told on
Thursday that the ministry will undergo a major restructure
and more than 200 jobs will go.
The plans, to cut about 200 of about 900 staff at the
ministry and revealed in the State Services Commission's
report on the Government "cap" on public service numbers in
September last year, were reported earlier this month by the
Herald.
Chief executive John Allen was understood to have indicated
to staff he expects more than 200 jobs to go as the ministry
is restructured under Foreign Affairs Minister Murray
McCully's plan to create "a leaner, more adaptable
organisation, better able to meet New Zealand's future
needs".
Up to 600 MFAT staff, working in Wellington and abroad, will
to reapply for their jobs, Fairfax reported today.
Staff would be told of the plans, which include reallocating
generous allowances given to foreign-based and senior staff
to the paypackets of Wellington-based staff.
Mr McCully said last year he had given an unambiguous message
to Mr Allen that the ministry was in need of modernisation
and rebalancing of resources "between the back office and the
front line".
"This will mean significant economies in back office services
in Wellington, and the elimination of many seconded
administrative positions in overseas posts."
He indicated the ministry's focus would shift from Europe to
Asia, the Gulf States, South America and Africa and "where we
do not need to have missions, we will close them".
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