Irregular Migration and Trafficking in Persons – Lead Technical Advisor
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Tēnei tūranga – About the role
The Lead Technical Advisor supports the Head of Irregular Migration and Trafficking in Persons to develop the capability, capacity and system-level improvements in aid of MBIE’s commitment and obligations to prevent trafficking in persons and people smuggling. In addition to providing technical training and support to wider Immigration Risk and Border staff, the Lead Technical Advisor also identifies opportunities for process improvement and quality of decision making across the wider Immigration System, and with wider government agencies.
This will include leading projects, preparing ministerial advice, and representing Immigration New Zealand’s interests with senior leaders and international stakeholders. The Lead Technical Advisor is regarded as the lead advisor on matters of border integrity, organised immigration crime, it’s prevention, along with relevant domestic and international legislation. The Lead Technical Advisor is a team member position within MBIE, reporting directly to the Head of Irregular Migration and Trafficking in Persons. This is a thought leadership role, that sits on the IM/TiP Leadership Team.
Ngā herenga – Requirements of the role
Skills and Experience
- Proven experience managing a complex workload independently without direct supervision
- Experience working across government and implementing complex projects across a wide range of stakeholders
- Demonstrable experience in law enforcement and national security environments
- Proven ability to communicate clearly and present ideas in a manner that is clearly understood and appropriate to the audience and situation, including senior leadership and ministers
- Exceptional influencing abilities and appreciation of competing priorities across stakeholders
- Exceptional analytical skills and a demonstrated ability to exercise sound, reasoned judgement
- Working understanding of intelligence, policy and operational contexts
- Excellent understanding of risk mitigation practice and implementation
The preferred appointee will demonstrate:
- Sensitivity to the individual needs of people from differing cultural backgrounds, genders, and abilities
- Potential for coaching and a desire to share information and knowledge with others
- Ability to make the linkages between issues, and proactively problem solve and influence to achieve the best outcome
- An appreciation for the international environment, and working with staff based offshore
- Working knowledge of the machinery of government, and ability to leverage and implement system-wide outcomes
- Ability to develop trust and credibility with managers and staff with the potential to deputise for the Head of IM/TiP or other leaders within the function
Other:
- A strong knowledge of legislation and legal provisions as they relate to people smuggling and human trafficking
- The ability to gain and maintain a national security clearance
- Must be a NZ citizen or hold a Permanent Residence class visa (if the role is located in New Zealand).
- Must have the legal right to live and work in the country in which this position resides (if the role is located outside of New Zealand)
Takohanga tuhinga o mua – Key accountabilities and deliverables
Technical Advice
- Regarded by technical advisors and managers as a ‘go-to person’ and senior specialist in the context of organised immigration crime, trafficking and smuggling
- Providing high level input into technical discussions and the development of operational policy
- Independently manages sensitive, complex and challenging cases
- Proactively identify and influence opportunities to leverage the Immigration Risk Management Framework
- Identifies trends and assists managers with workflow management and monitoring resource requirements
- Provides accurate and timely advice on all aspects of immigration law, policy and procedures to other technical advisors, managers, immigration officers, applicants and third parties as they relate to trafficking, smuggling and organised immigration crime
- Investigates and responds to complaints and requests for reconsideration of applications ensuring that any learning opportunities are identified and takes steps to address gaps in knowledge of individuals or groups
- Stays up to date with technical best practice and abreast of changes to instructions, practice notes, legal advice, decisions of appeal bodies, prosecution outcomes and intelligence reporting
Developing Capability
- Readily identifies opportunities to collaborate and integrate across wider MBIE for more efficient and effective outcomes
- Takes the lead on self-development and seeks opportunities to learn and grow
- Role models MBIE values
- Develops capability within the team by buddying newer members of the team, coaching and sharing experiences
- Identifies training needs for individuals and teams and takes steps to address gaps in knowledge
- Provides coaching to other staff within the team/branch on immigration law and policy, decision making and case management procedures to improve consistency and quality
- Provides SME support for developing specialised training, supports the induction of new staff and delivers training as needed
Quality & Assurance
- Proactively looks for opportunities to enhance system outcomes and work laterally across business functions to achieve strategic objectives
- Undertakes internal assurance activities in line with business requirements
- Identifies trends/issues from quality analysis and takes appropriate steps
Continuous improvement
Support continuous improvement initiatives – including:
- Identifies opportunities for process improvement
- Actively leads improvement projects, and provides input into wider projects where relevant
- Takes an informal leadership role to support managers and the wider office
Wellbeing, health & safety
- Displays commitment through actively supporting all safety and wellbeing initiatives.
- Ensures own and others safety at all times.
- Complies with relevant safety and wellbeing policies, procedures, safe systems of work and event reporting.
- Reports all incidents/accidents, including near misses in a timely fashion.
- Is involved in health and safety through participation and consultation.
Tō tūranga i roto i te Manatū – Your place in the Ministry
The Lead Technical Advisor position reports into Head of Irregular Migration and Trafficking in Persons within the Refugee and Migrant Services branch. The branch sits within the Immigration New Zealand group.
To mātou aronga – What we do for Aotearoa New Zealand
Hīkina Whakatutuki is the te reo Māori name for the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Hīkina means to uplift. Whakatutuki means to move forward, to make successful. Our name speaks to our purpose, Grow Aotearoa New Zealand for All.
To Grow Aotearoa New Zealand for All, we put people at the heart of our mahi. Based on the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi / The Treaty of Waitangi, we are committed to upholding authentic partnerships with Māori.
As agile public service leaders, we use our breadth and experience to navigate the ever-changing world. We are service providers, policy makers, investors and regulators. We engage with diverse communities, businesses and regions. Our work touches on the daily lives of New Zealanders. We grow opportunities (Puāwai), guard and protect (Kaihāpai) and innovate and navigate towards a better future (Auaha).
Ngā matatau – Our competencies
Cultivates innovation We create new and better ways for the organisation to be successful by challenging the status quo generating new and creative ideas and translating them into workable solutions.
Nimble learning We are curious and actively learn through experimentation when tackling new problems by learning as we go when facing new situations and challenges.
Customer focus We build strong customer relationships and deliver customer-centric solutions by listening and gaining insights into the needs of the communities we serve and actively seeking and responding to feedback.
Decision quality We make quality and timely decisions that shape the future for our communities and keep the organisation moving forward by relying on an appropriate mix of analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgement to make valid and reliable decisions.
Action oriented We step up, taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with purpose, urgency and discipline by taking responsibility, ownership and action on challenges, and being accountable for the results.
Collaborates We connect, working together to build partnerships with our communities, working collaboratively to meet shared objectives by gaining trust and support of others; actively seeking the views, experiences, and opinions of others and by working co-operatively with others across MBIE, the public sector and external stakeholder groups.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi
As an agency of the public service, MBIE has a responsibility to contribute to the Crown meeting its obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Te Tiriti). Meeting our commitment to Te Tiriti will contribute towards us realising the overall aims of Te Ara Amiorangi – Our Path, Our Direction, and achieve the outcome of Growing New Zealand for All. The principles of Te Tiriti - including partnership, good faith, and active protection – are at the core of our work. MBIE is committed to delivering on our obligations as a Treaty partner with authenticity and integrity and to enable Māori interests. We are committed to ensuring that MBIE is well placed to meet our obligations under the Public Service Act 2020 (Te Ao Tūmatanui) to support the Crown in strengthening the Māori/Crown Relationship under the Treaty and to build MBIE’s capability, capacity and cultural intelligence to deliver this.
Mahi i roto i te Ratonga Tūmatanui – Working in the public service
Ka mahitahi mātou o te ratonga tūmatanui kia hei painga mō ngā tāngata o Aotearoa i āianei, ā, hei ngā rā ki tua hoki. He kawenga tino whaitake tā mātou hei tautoko i te Karauna i runga i āna hononga ki a ngāi Māori i raro i te Tiriti o Waitangi. Ka tautoko mātou i te kāwanatanga manapori. Ka whakakotahingia mātou e te wairua whakarato ki ō mātou hapori, ā, e arahina ana mātou e ngā mātāpono me ngā tikanga matua o te ratonga tūmatanui i roto i ā mātou mahi.
In the public service we work collectively to make a meaningful difference for New Zealanders now and in the future. We have an important role in supporting the Crown in its relationships with Māori under the Treaty of Waitangi. We support democratic government. We are unified by a spirit of service to our communities and guided by the core principles and values of the public service in our work.
What does it mean to work in Aotearoa New Zealand’s Public Service?(external link) — Te Kawa Mataaho The Public Service Commission
