Inspector Opcat

Nz Ombudsman; Wellington; On-site; NZD 98,000 - 129,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working options

Career progression opportunities and专业

Competitive remuneration

Three extra Annual Leave days after 12

Onsite gym and personal trainer

Three paid office holidays between Chr

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Nz Ombudsman is seeking an Inspector OPCAT to monitor and inspect places of detention across New Zealand. You will gather evidence, report findings, and contribute to recommendations as part of a dedicated team working under the Chief Ombudsman.

The role requires regular travel, with a focus on health and disability facilities, prisons, and immigration detention centres, ensuring fair treatment and compliance with standards.

Qualifications

• A relevant tertiary qualification in a legal, medical, social work, cultural, defence, community policing or education field.
• Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to build rapport with a diverse range of people.
• Understanding of relevant national and international law, standards and best practice.
• Understanding of key Māori, disability, and other cultural and human rights concepts.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Chief Ombudsman in monitoring, inspecting and reporting on places of detention.
• Carry out inspections, gather evidence and contribute to reports and recommendations.
• Travel across New Zealand with other staff on a regular basis.

Skills

Verbal and written communication

Legal and human rights understanding

Interviews and site visits

Cultural competence (Māori, disability

Education

Tertiary qualification in legal, medical, social work, cultural, defence, community policing or education

Job description

Mō te Tari o te Kaitiaki Mana Tangata — About the Ombudsman

The Chief Ombudsman works with his staff to help New Zealanders in their dealings with government agencies. The focus is on handling complaints against government agencies, undertaking investigations and inspections, and encouraging good administration. The Chief Ombudsman is independent and impartial, with the goal of fairness for all.

Mō tō mātou tira — About the 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.

Mō te tūānga — About the role

The role of Inspector OPCAT is to assist the Chief Ombudsman to monitor, inspect and report on places of detention, including health and disability places of detention, prisons, immigration detention centres, managed isolation and quarantine facilities, and secure aged care facilities. You'll work as part of team to carry out inspections, gather evidence and contribute to reports and recommendations. You'll be travelling across New Zealand with other staff on a regular basis.

He kōrero mŏōu — About you

• A relevant tertiary qualification and experience in a legal, medical, social work, cultural, defence, community policing or education field.
• Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to build rapport and engagement quickly with a diverse range of people.
• An understanding of relevant national and international law, standards and best practice.
• An understanding of and ability to recognise and understand key Māori, disability, and other cultural and human rights concepts.
• Experience in visiting or working in, or an understanding of places of detention, such as health and disability units, aged care facilities or prison facilities.
• Experience in undertaking evidence based research and analysis, including conducting interviews and site visits to obtain key information.

Te painga o te mahi tahi me mātou — Our benefits, what we offer

Becoming part of an exceptional team in a dynamic organisation, where the work is challenging and rewarding. Your development and growth will be nurtured, and your work recognised and valued.

• Genuine career progression opportunities and professional development through training and mentoring by senior members of your team
• Flexible working options
• Competitive remuneration
• Three extra Annual Leave days after 12 months of employment
• Onsite gym and personal trainer, free to all employees
• Three paid office holidays between Christmas and New Year
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and access to professional supervision

As the Ombudsman's role is to provide “fairness for all” New Zealanders, it is important that our staff represent New Zealanders from all walks of life.

We value your individuality and how you can contribute to our team. We encourage applicants from all walks of life.

Depending on skills and experience the salary is expected to be between $98,182 to $128,864 with $122,728 being the mid-point. This role is based in Wellington. Please note we are unable to consider 100% remote working for this role.

All applicants will have a legal entitlement to work in New Zealand. Appointees will be subject to criminal convictions check and may be required to achieve and maintain a NZ Government (NZSIS) security clearance.

Applications Close: 20 November 2026