Ella Risati
Ipswich,QLD
Summary
An adept policy professional with extensive experience in inter-governmental relations, cultivated through a career in Pacific and multilateral diplomacy in New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. As a New Zealand diplomat covering foreign aid-related and political roles at headquarters in New Zealand, and offshore in Vanuatu, Samoa, and Papua New Guinea, I have acquired a comprehensive understanding of government machinery, and have refined robust influencing, relationship management, analytical, negotiation, and communication skills. Dependable and quick-learning team player. Driven to contribute expertise towards roles that facilitate enhanced engagement initiatives and deliver superior outcomes.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
First Secretary (Political), New Zealand High Commission
New Zealand Ministry Of Foreign Affairs And Trade
03.2023 - Current
- Analysis and formal reporting (by diplomatic cable) on political, trade and economic issues of interest to New Zealand government;
- Lead planning of high-level visits e.g by Prime Minister/Ministers - including logistics planning, event coordination, development of briefing documents, engagement with host government on visit programme;
- Build and maintain strong relationships with Government of Papua New Guinea officials and other key stakeholders (e.g Academia, private sector, civil society organisations) to support delivery of New Zealand's objectives in Papua New Guinea;
- Achievements: Lead for NZHC on development and delivery of a Foreign Service Training Programme for Papua New Guinean diplomats, through collaboration with MFAT HQ and Victoria University of Wellington; (currently) lead planner for upcoming State Visit by New Zealand's Foreign Minister to Papua New Guinea, expected in May 2024; lead reporter on political developments relevant to recent civil unrest in Port Moresby, as well as associated Vote of No Confidence in Parliament.
Second Secretary (Political), New Zealand High Commission
New Zealand Ministry Of Foreign Affairs And Trade
07.2019 - 02.2023
- Analysis and formal reporting (by diplomatic cable) on breadth of political and security matters of interest to New Zealand government;
- Maintain active dialogue with Government of Samoa on issues of mutual interest;
- Oversee immigration and consular issues;
- Manage High Commission's discretionary fund for small-scale development projects;
- Represent New Zealand on Secretariat of Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) governance board
- Achievements: Led advice and reporting on high-profile and sensitive issues including Samoa's general elections; inter-country adoptions; criminal deportations; and implementation of Quarantine-Free Travel during COVID-19;
- Lead role in securing commitment from Samoa to repatriate Samoan RSE workers during COVID-19;
- Facilitate medical transfers and travel/quarantine for Samoa into New Zealand during border closure;
- Lead overhaul High Commission Fund;
- Develop and deliver New Zealand's position in SPREP's Audit and Risk Committee to support fiscal management of SPREP.
Policy Officer, Office of the Deputy Secretary (Pacific and Development Group)
New Zealand Ministry Of Foreign Affairs And Trade
03.2020 - 09.2020
- During COVID-19, focal point for repatriations discussions for seven Pacific countries;
- Thematic lead on criminal deportations to the Pacific, pre-departure requirements and exit COVID-testing, medical transfers from the Pacific, and support to stranded scholarship students and RSE workers
- Achievements: Key role in establishing framework for COVID exit testing to the Pacific, later used by New Zealand for all repatriations globally;
- Contribution of key insights to interagency group and Pacific countries to facilitate first flights to the Pacific as borders started to open;
- Quickly built strong relationships with Pacific missions to facilitate repatriations.
Policy Officer, Environment Division (Multilateral and Legal Affairs Group)
New Zealand Ministry Of Foreign Affairs And Trade
08.2018 - 07.2019
- Coordinate New Zealand's delegation and contribution to 42nd Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting, hosted in Prague, Czech Republic;
- Develop specialist knowledge of MFAT's statutory responsibilities as monitoring agency for Antarctica New Zealand;
- Policy leadership in key areas including Antarctic gateway cooperation and Antarctic permitting;
- Achievements: Lead role in facilitating New Zealand delegation and initiatives at ATCM42 including contributions to papers;
- Deliver interventions on behalf of New Zealand in plenary meeting, and contribute views later reflected in Member Statements;
- Deliver presentations to Antarctica New Zealand and University of Canterbury on MFAT monitoring responsibilities and New Zealand engagement in Antarctica.
Second Secretary (Development), New Zealand High Commission, Vanuatu
New Zealand Ministry Of Foreign Affairs And Trade
05.2018 - 08.2018
- Activity and project management support for New Zealand's Development Programme, focused specifically on health, environment, energy, emergency response, and education portfolios.
- Achievements: Coach 6 NZHC staff on activity management including use of internal databases, contract drafting, and stakeholder engagement;
- Lead scholarship scouting interview process for New Zealand government scholarships.
Development Officer, Pacific Melanesia and Micronesia Division
New Zealand Ministry Of Foreign Affairs And Trade
05.2017 - 05.2018
- Plan high-level visits; draft briefings for bilateral Ministerial engagement and submissions;
- Achievements: Plan and execute successful Guest of Government visit by Vanuatu Foreign Minister;
- Surge support to Apia for Samoa leg of Prime Minister's 2018 Pacific Mission as in-country logistics lead;
- Lead role in developing Pacific Language and Capability framework to enhance MFAT's Pacific engagement.
Administrator, Pacific Melanesia and Micronesia Division
New Zealand Ministry Of Foreign Affairs And Trade
11.2016 - 05.2017
- Support delivery of team's policy objectives, including peer-reviewing briefs before submission (formatting, proofing);
- Develop and maintain databases, provide advice to internal stakeholders on best practices;
- Administer Crown funds through online portal;
- Support development of team's annual budget including drafting budget applications.
- Achievements: Lead role in learning new operating system and training other staff to use;
- Lead on facilitating/collating briefing documents for Prime Ministerial travel to the Pacific;
- Surge support to Apia for Samoa leg of Prime Minister's 2017 Pacific Mission as in-country logistics lead.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - International Relations
Victoria University of Wellington
New Zealand 12.2012
Skills
- Networking & influencing: Strong networking and influencing skills, including sound political acumen, developed through overseas postings where the primary objective was to quickly build strong and trusted relationships with host governments and key stakeholders to advancing New Zealand's foreign interests Effectively network to obtain stakeholder insights that inform political reporting on high-interest issues
- Policy analysis & problem solving: Strong policy development capability and experienced in preparation of comprehensive briefing papers for ministerial use Robust analytical abilities, gained through years of in-depth engagement on international relations and policy issues; participating in negotiations and diplomatic discussions; and analysis of complex political situations to understand strategic drivers
- Organisation & planning: Structured approach to work Strong prioritisation ability gained through experience in fast paced and oftentimes high-profile work Extensive experience leading or supporting high-level (Prime Ministerial/Ministerial) visits in New Zealand and overseas; lead on organisation/coordination of events hosted by New Zealand for foreign government dignitaries
- Communication & interpersonal skills: Excellent drafting skills with experience drafting formal reporting (diplomatic cables), briefing papers, press releases and speeches Experience communicating to influence on key issues Extensive experience working with people from diverse backgrounds in previous roles as a mentor, tutor, and support coordinator for tertiary students at Victoria University of Wellington
- Machinery of Government: Strong understanding of Government processes, structures, and systems, gained from experience in the Foreign Service, as a Parliamentary Intern, as well as tertiary studies and tertiary tutoring experience in both Political Science and International Relations
References
Available on request
Languages
Samoan
Native language
French
Proficient
C2
Maori
Intermediate
B1
Tok Pisin
Elementary
A2
Timeline
First Secretary (Political), New Zealand High Commission
New Zealand Ministry Of Foreign Affairs And Trade
03.2023 - Current
Policy Officer, Office of the Deputy Secretary (Pacific and Development Group)
New Zealand Ministry Of Foreign Affairs And Trade
03.2020 - 09.2020
Second Secretary (Political), New Zealand High Commission
New Zealand Ministry Of Foreign Affairs And Trade
07.2019 - 02.2023
Policy Officer, Environment Division (Multilateral and Legal Affairs Group)
New Zealand Ministry Of Foreign Affairs And Trade
08.2018 - 07.2019
Second Secretary (Development), New Zealand High Commission, Vanuatu
New Zealand Ministry Of Foreign Affairs And Trade
05.2018 - 08.2018
Development Officer, Pacific Melanesia and Micronesia Division
New Zealand Ministry Of Foreign Affairs And Trade
05.2017 - 05.2018
Administrator, Pacific Melanesia and Micronesia Division
New Zealand Ministry Of Foreign Affairs And Trade
11.2016 - 05.2017
Bachelor of Arts - International Relations
Victoria University of Wellington
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