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Helen Clark is set to be appointed head of the United Nations Development Programme - the most powerful position held by a New Zealander on the world stage for more than a decade.
The position is ranked number three at the UN and has a budget of billions of dollars to help countries ravaged by war, disease and poverty.
Nothing is official until the Secretary General has made an announcement, but unofficially New Zealand's former prime minister has won the job.
The role is the highest international post held by a New Zealander since former Prime Minister Mike Moore held the post of Director-General of the World Trade Organisation.
"It's a very useful instrument for development, for example it could be in the reconstruction of Afghanistan or Iraq," says Moore.
The programme was established in 1965 and its aims include reducing poverty, stopping the spread of Hiv/Aids, cleaning up the environment and improving the quality of world government.
"A problem in many places is appalling politicians, bad guys who take money...that's your problem and I've dealt with a lot of these villains and I think Helen will deal to some of them," says Moore.
New Zealand PM from 1999 to 2008, Clark was considered a front runner for the job after interviewing in New York earlier this year. She was on a short list of three and the position is expected to be confirmed by UN Secretary General Ban Ky-Moon.
In some ways Clark has spent a lifetime preparing for the job. After entering parliament one of her first tasks was chairing the select committee which pushed through the anti-nuclear legislation.
After becoming Prime Minister she met the major world leaders at top international meetings, developing a strong reputation for her knowledge, contacts and expertise on foreign affairs.
"It's one of the most senior diplomatic postings someone can get and from New Zealand's point of view it would be a tremendous honour for her and for New Zealand, " says Prime Minister John Key.
Clark will take up the position later this year, sparking a by-election in the Mt Albert seat she has held since 1981.
"Clearly the Labour Party would not stand in the way of Helen Clark moving on to the third highest position in the United Nations," leader Phil Goff says.
Moore believes Clark won the role through her high profile, robust nature and with good support.
