Principal Inspector Opcat

Principal Inspector OPCAT (Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture)
- Are you able to provide credible thought leadership and technical advice with demonstrated experience in matters of relevance to OPCAT examinations?
- Are you culturally aware, and have an understanding of criminal justice or health and disability issues?
- Wellington or Auckland location

Mō te Tari o te Kaitiaki Mana Tangata - About the Ombudsman
As an independent Officer of Parliament, the Chief Ombudsman works to ensure people are treated fairly, primarily in relation to the administrative conduct of public sector agencies. As part of his role, the Chief Ombudsman has been designated as a National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) to ensure New Zealand meets its obligations under the UN Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT). This designation includes monitoring and examining the conditions and treatment of people detained in prisons, court cells, immigration facilities and health and disability facilities such as intellectual disability and mental health units and secure privately run aged care facilities.
Mō tō mātou tira - About our team
The OPCAT team is responsible for monitoring the conditions and treatment of people detained in prisons, court cells, immigration facilities, and health and disability facilities such as intellectual disability and mental health units and secure privately run aged care facilities. Reporting to the Director OPCAT this position provides technical and thought leadership on examination, inspection activity and operational practice.
Mō te tūranga - About the role
Working closely with team members in OPCAT and maintaining good working relationships across other teams in the office, you'll be required to make sound judgments drawing on your previous experience, analytical thinking and problem solving skills. You will also have the ability to work autonomously on projects agreed with the Director OPCAT.
He kōrero mōu - About you
- To be successful in this role you will have:

- A relevant tertiary qualification, preferably in public or administrative law, policy, social sciences or related discipline.
- Proven analytical skills and a knowledge and understanding of human rights in New Zealand
- Significant experience at senior level with the OPCAT examination functions including visiting or working in places of detention, particularly in the field required for the position (prisons, health, and aged care).
- A proven ability to motivate, mentor, guide and train others
- Experience working with iwi, Māori and Pasifika / Knowledge of te reo Māori, tikanga Māori and te Tiriti o Waitangi
- Proven analytical skills and a knowledge and understanding of human rights issues in New Zealand
- Experience in undertaking evidence based research and analysis, including conducting interviews and site visits to obtain key information
- Resilience, and the ability to navigate complex environments and competing demands

All shortlisted applicants will be required to complete a writing test as part of the selection process.
Me pēhea e tono - How to apply
Applications close on the 02nd of April with interviews to be ideally held the week of the 11th of April.