Donald Trump is said to have chosen South Carolina governor Nikki Haley as US ambassador to the United Nations, the first woman tapped for a top-level administration post during his White House transition so far, reports The Guardian.

An outspoken Trump critic throughout much of the presidential race, Haley would become Trump’s first female – and first non-white – cabinet-level official if the appointment is confirmed by the Senate.

Two sources familiar with the decision told the Associated Press the ambassadorship would be a cabinet-level position, which is at the discretion of the president.

Haley met the president-elect last week and said they had a “very nice” conversation. She had initially campaigned for Marco Rubio and then Ted Cruz in the Republican primary.

Haley’s new job clears the way for Lt Gov Henry McMaster to step into the role of South Carolina governor. McMaster was an early Trump endorser, backing him before the state’s Republican primary in February.