Compliance Officer – Verification and Compliance

Tēnei tūranga – About the role

The Compliance Officer role is a regulatory role accountable for preventing, detecting and responding to Immigration Act offending.  The compliance team is operationally focused, uniformed and part of a disciplined enforcement body undertaking functions across the INZ operating model.

The team are a multi-skilled responsive unit committed to the highest levels of ethical behaviour, integrity and professionalism working in a highly challenging and changing environment.

The primary focus of the role is determining liability for deportation and deporting individuals who fail to leave New Zealand as set out in Immigration regulations and policy.

The role willingly undertakes any duty required within the context of the position and manages their own personal health and safety, and takes appropriate action to deal with workplace hazards, accidents and incidents.

Ngā herenga – Requirements of the role

Personal specifications

• Tertiary qualification will be an advantage.
• Sound previous experience in a regulatory or enforcement environment is essential.
• Demonstrated ability to gain knowledge of current New Zealand Immigration law, policy, procedures and guidelines.
• Demonstrated ability to gain knowledge and understanding of administrative law and the principles of natural justice and fairness.
• Demonstrated ability to gain understanding in applying the principles of the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act and the consideration of New Zealand’s obligations under international law.
• Ability to interpret and apply legislation, policy or business rules to make decisions.
• Skilled in influencing and negotiating positive outcomes with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Deliver information clearly to be understood by a range of audiences.
• Sound investigative skills including gathering, researching, analysing and evaluating information.
• Advanced decision making skills, with experience in applying analytical techniques or models to problem definition and analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to plan operations, including applying risk assessment methodology.
• Experience in applying tactical communication skills in confrontational situations.
• Advanced writing skills, with experience presenting formal documentation.
• Sound planning and organisation skills and ability to multitask.
• Attention to detail and to ensure tasks are completed within tight timeframes.
• Skilled in the use of modern investigation tools including continual risk assessment, investigative interviewing and exhibit handling, execution of warrantless search powers, and the physical detention of unlawful persons in situations involving the application of handcuffs.
• The ability to gain and maintain a national security clearance as required.

Other

• A reasonable level of fitness is required.
• On occasion you will be required to travel away at short notice within New Zealand, so flexibility is required.
• Must be a NZ citizen or hold a Permanent Resident Visa (if the role is located in New Zealand).
• Must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand.
• Required to drive.
• Police vetting.

Takohanga tuhinga o mua – Key accountabilities and deliverables

Information assessment

• Identify person(s) including who/what information relates to person(s)/business, immigration status of person(s) and liability for deportation. Assess credibility of information received.
• Gather and record evidence used to evaluate circumstances and liability for deportation. Assess prioritisation against compliance operating model.
• Inform key parties of potential risk, recognising and identifying stakeholders’ interest.
• Assess liability/potential offences and determine relevant regulatory enforcement. Decide which path to follow – prosecution or deportation.
• Deliver timely, accurate and informative reliable reports. Document case management systems.

Determine course of action – direction of investigation

• Decide nature of action to be considered including liability for deportation.
• Breaching of visa requirements: Investigate the breach/cause, assessing the evidence to determine liability and decide on appropriate response.
• Unlawful in New Zealand: Locate the person(s) and determine the course of action.  Determine regularisation option.  Determine voluntary/non-custodial departure or enforced deportation action.
• Accountable for an enforcement approach that is within delegated authority while managing multiple factors including situational risk and wider risks to NZ.

Influencing behaviours – effective communication

• Negotiate with person(s), and or legal representative or Immigration Advisor regarding deportation documentation, deportation action and relevant timeframes.
• Communicate in the most effective manner using appropriate communication methods including face to face, email and case conferences.
• Influence the behaviours of clients, family, friends and wider support networks by communicating effectively options and opportunities for an effective outcome.
• Influencing behaviours/effective communication continued.
• Negotiate and influence the wider stakeholder network including to support appropriate resourcing and actions.
• Adhere to situational accountability for determining courses of influence and action while managing risks to individuals, stakeholders and the wider New Zealand.

Risk assessment

• Assess and confirm other agency information. Determine type and quantity of resources required.  Decide on effective communication strategy to safety deploy resources and finalise appropriate risk assessment documentation.
• Execute safety plan considering all risk factors while operationally deployed.
• Consider outcomes and implement learnings.

Field work

• Monitor and audit compliance within Immigration Stakeholders.
• Lead deportation processes. Including determining and executing powers of entry to property.
• Execute search to locate person of interest and detain. Ensure detainee is informed of their rights.  Determine necessary use of force.
• Execute Powers of search under Search and Surveillance Act 2012 (search of person). Execute search powers for identity documentation.
• Escort detainee from work/residential addresses in safe and efficient manner preventing escape or harm to themselves or others (duty of care).
• Recapture those who abscond from lawful custody.
• Undertake transport of detainee to police station in a safe and efficient manner.
• Assess person status with regard to self-harm, emotion and physical health.
• Handover custody to Police and instruct Police to arrest under the Immigration Act. Advise Police of any medical health needs, inclusive of mental state of deportee.
• Gather information to determine that all international obligations have been considered under relevant legislation. Decide on deportation action.

Effective deportation

• Ensure continued detention through obtaining relevant warrant of commitment at District Court level. This requires the completion of court level documents based on evidence that can withstand Court scrutiny, and can require the officer to give evidence in Court. Provide evidence at tribunals or court hearings.
• Ensure maintenance of lawful detention.
• Arrange travel documentation with embassies, consulates (onshore and offshore). Liaise and confirm travel bookings.  Liaise with airlines, airports and police to obtain travel clearance for deportee.

Post deportation

• Gather and document actions relating to deportation.
• Ensure files are completed and closed to a high standard.
• Assess and determine outcomes of prohibition and/or reduction requests.

Takohanga tuhinga o mua – Key accountabilities and deliverables continued

Investigations

• Identify the offence relevant to the appropriate legislation. Gather evidence which may include surveillance and collating documentation.
• Interview witnesses and obtain statements. Video interview of offenders.  Determine Nature of Action.
• Preparation of files for and leading minor prosecutions.
• Assist with execution of search warrants for immigration and other government agencies, i.e. Police.

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 Compliance Officer position reports into the Compliance Manager within the Verification and Compliance branch.  The branch sits within the Immigration New Zealand in the Immigration New Zealand group.

More information about MBIE's structure

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