The country's acting Ambassador to the United States has just been given a new job.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully's appointed diplomat Carl Worker to the post of Ambassador for Counter Terrorism.

The decision reflects the importance the Government attaches to countering the evolving threat of ISIL and other terrorist groups.

Mr McCully said appointing a specialist ambassador will enable New Zealand to contribute further to efforts countering terrorism, and to expand engagement with important international counter-terrorism forums.