Issue date
24 November 2025

We are calling for applications from individuals, academics, and/or representatives of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to be the NGO delegate on the official New Zealand Government delegation to the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70).  

 

The Commission on the Status of Women is the highest-level annual international forum on gender equality and women’s empowerment. CSW70 is being held from 9 to 20 March 2026 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. 
 

The priority theme for CSW70 is strengthening women’s access to justice. The session will also review the commitments made at CSW65 on supporting women’s leadership and eliminating violence against women. 

 

The NGO delegate is an important member of the Government delegation and will be involved in: 

  • acting as a liaison point between New Zealand-based NGOs and the Government delegation 
  • sharing NGO perspectives with the Government delegation on opportunities and challenges for New Zealand women and girls in relation to the session and its themes 
  • supporting New Zealand-based NGOs (both in New York and in New Zealand) to stay connected in the lead up to and during CSW70. 
  • attending specified sessions and diplomatic functions, as necessary, as an official member of the Government delegation. (Please note that some engagements may take place outside of regular working hours.) 

 

The inclusion of an NGO representative on the New Zealand Government delegation follows the Cabinet guidance as outlined in the Cabinet Office Circular: Procedures for Including Non-Official Representatives On Official Delegations to International Meetings.  

 

Under this guidance, the NGO delegate is considered a full member of the delegation and is expected to participate fully in the delegation’s activities. The NGO delegate is required to sign a confidentiality and expectations agreement with the understanding that, as a member of the Government delegation, the NGO delegate will be bound by the same rules as government officials. 

 

Ministry for Women funding 

The Ministry for Women will provide up to $10,000 NZD to support the participation of an NGO delegate at CSW70. This includes financial reimbursement for the costs of flights, accommodation, travel insurance as well as meals, transport and reasonable incidentals related to the NGO delegate’s participation in the delegation.  

 
The delegate can either book their return flights to New York and accommodation in New York themselves, or the Ministry for Women can help to arrange flights and accommodation. These upfront payments will draw from the allocated funding amount of up to $10,000 NZD

All other costs will be reimbursed upon presentation of receipts to the Ministry, following the conclusion of CSW70. Please note that the delegate will need to provide evidence of travel and medical insurance arrangements before departure. 

 

NGO delegate selection criteria and responsibilities 

All applicants will be assessed based on their individual merits and experience. 

Find out more information about the NGO delegate selection criteria and responsibilities associated with this role here.

CSW70 NGO Delegate Criteria and Responsibilities
Mimetype
PDF
Filesize
210.3 KB

 

How to apply: 

  1. Review the NGO delegate selection criteria and responsibilities document to see whether you meet the requirements for the role. You may draw on both formal and informal experience to demonstrate your suitability for the role in your application. 
  1. Submit only ONE of the following – either an application letter, a video, a poster or a slide deck outlining why you are interested in the role, what you could bring to the role and your experience to date, including your engagement with New Zealand-based NGOs.  

 

  1. Application letters should be no longer than 500 words (in word or pdf format)
  2. Videos should be no longer than three minutes (shared as an unlisted YouTube video, or an unlisted Vimeo video)
  3. Posters should be no larger than one A3 (in pdf format)
  4. Slide decks should be no longer than five slides (in pdf format) 
     

Submit either a letter, video, poster or slide deck along with an up-to-date copy of your CV (two page maximum) to caucus@women.govt.nz with your name in the subject line: “[NAME]: CSW70 NGO Delegate Application”. 


Applications close 12pm, Friday 12 December 2025.  


Applications will be assessed by a selection panel comprising representatives from the International Women’s Caucus. The panel’s selection is subject to confirmation by the Minister of Foreign Affairs.  

Please note that applications will be considered on a rolling basis. The preferred candidate is expected to be notified before 24 December 2025. 

If you have any questions about the application process, please email caucus@women.govt.nz. 

 

More information: 

Ministry for Women’s role in CSW: https://women.govt.nz/international/commission-status-women  

UN Women preparations for CSW70: https://www.unwomen.org/en/how-we-work/commission-on-the-status-of-women/csw70-2026