KEY POINTS:
Helen Clark has a good chance of being appointed administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, says another former prime minister, Mike Moore.
Mr Moore, who was the director-general of the World Trade Organisation from 1999 to 2003, says he has been lobbying on behalf of Helen Clark, his successor as Labour Party leader in 1993.
The National-led Government has also given its formal backing to Helen Clark's bid.
Mr Moore said yesterday Helen Clark would have a strong chance of winning appointment by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon to run the programme, whose head office is in New York.
"I know there's a couple of other nominees (whom he was not at liberty to name). I think Helen Clark is superior to any of those," said Mr Moore, who remains a roving ambassador with a focus on trade.
"I have made some calls on her behalf - I have been at an African Union meeting about a week ago."
Helen Clark could not be contacted yesterday. Her spokesman said: "The position came up at short notice. It is a very senior position and will be hotly contested by a number of candidates."
Prime Minister John Key said the Government was providing strong support for her candidacy. "Helen Clark has shown the leadership qualities needed for a complex organisation such as UNDP in these difficult times."
"Her time as prime minister established her credibility internationally, engaging with leaders from the developed and developing world alike."
"UNDP needs someone who can front for them, mobilise resources and represent the organisation effectively. Helen Clark is a very strong candidate," said Mr Key.
The current administrator, former Turkish economic affairs minister Kemal Dervis, leaves on March 1.
