The New Zealand Government has opened applications for a full‑time Technical Adviser to embed at Tonga’s central bank in a new push to strengthen anti‑money laundering (AML) supervision and enforcement, with the initial assignment due to begin in July 2026. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and the National Reserve Bank of Tonga (NRBT) say the specialist post will run for up to 12 months, with a possible extension subject to performance and funding.
This recruitment is being advertised as an embedded senior advisory role based in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, although some remote engagement may be permitted. The successful candidate must spend at least six months in‑country during the contract period, and is expected to be physically present in Tonga for at least the first two to three months to support establishment, relationship‑building and initial delivery. MFAT and NRBT stress the in‑country requirement reflects the hands‑on mentoring, coaching and institutional strengthening central to the assignment.
The Technical Adviser will work closely with the NRBT governor, senior management, AML supervisors and the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), and will coordinate with MFAT and other development partners. Key tasks listed in the position description include developing and institutionalising a risk‑based AML supervision and enforcement framework; strengthening supervision across banks, money transfer operators and designated non‑financial businesses and professions (DNFBPs); supporting implementation of the amended Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act (MLPCA) and associated regulations; and advising on supervisory technology, data management and information security.
Applicants are required to hold a postgraduate qualification in economics, finance, public policy, law or a related discipline and bring significant professional experience — generally seven to ten years or more — in AML, financial sector supervision, central banking or financial regulation. The role also demands experience in delivering training and on‑the‑job capacity building, strong stakeholder engagement skills, and an ability to work cross‑culturally. MFAT emphasises that the adviser will be expected to operate with high levels of professionalism and cultural awareness while upholding the Ministry’s standards for overseas conduct.
The recruitment is being managed by Hudson Global Resources. Prospective applicants can request the full position description or lodge enquiries with Jessica Middlemiss, Practice Lead (NZ) at Hudson (phone +64 27 277 4865; email jessica.middlemiss@hudson.com). The closing date for applications is 5:00 pm (NZ time) on Tuesday, 19 May 2026, with an online application link provided in the advertisement.
The posting signals a stepped‑up, practical component of donor support for Pacific financial regulation. It follows broader regional concern about evolving financial crime risks and capacity constraints among supervisory and intelligence agencies; for example, Fiji’s Financial Intelligence Unit reported increased demand for its intelligence services in its 2023 annual report. MFAT’s placement of a long‑term, in‑country adviser in Nuku’alofa is intended to provide sustained, institutional capacity building to help Tonga meet international AML/CFT standards and better protect the integrity of its financial system.