Dear Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade,

I would like to raise the following matter with you .

In applying for the role of Advisor Digital Publisher(reference NZ/201742) on the 12th April in what should have been a clear and simple process resulted, instead, in a tedious,confusing and time consuming 'hassle'.

-The job was initially advertised on the 'Govt jobs online' website which I applied through at about 5pm on Wednesday the 12th just prior to close off time. Later that evening I received what I thought was a confirmation email acknowledging receipt of my application but, instead, advised the vacancy is being managed by another recruitment agency and to re apply through them and that applications through 'Govt jobs online' not be accepted by this time close off time for the role had lapsed.

Points to note:

- If applying through the ''Govt jobs online' was not the correct way to apply for the role, then, why did it allow applicants to?

At no point was there a notification that applications had to be made through another agency and, in not doing so, potentially left a number of applicants missing out on applying in time.

- The applicants should not have been allowed to apply through 'Govt jobs online' at all if they were required to apply via a recruitment agency's website and because they were allowed to the email confirmation from Govt jobs was misleading as it implied the application had been received without problems.

- There was a possibility potentially strong qualified candidates could have missed out on this opportunity and so livelihoods may have been affected by MFAT's poor processes in places.

I would like to know:

-Why applicants were able to apply through 'Govt jobs online' when such applications would not be accepted.

- Why was the only notification sent AFTER applicants had already applied through 'Govt jobs online'.

-I would like to know why these avoidable flaws in the recruitment process occurred at all as they appeared to be relatively simple mistakes?

Yours faithfully,

D Dahya