Refugee and Protection Officer

New Zealand Government; Auckland; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

KiwiSaver

Wellness benefits

Job summary

MBIE in Auckland is seeking a Refugee and Protection Officer to make decisions on refugee and protection status in line with New Zealand and international law. You will interview claimants, analyse information, and write decisions within a supportive, high-performing team.

The role requires research, strong writing and communication skills, and the ability to work under pressure. NZ citizenship or PR is required. Permanent full-time role in Auckland CBD.

Qualifications

• Experience applying refugee status determination principles.
• Ability to interview claimants and assess evidence.
• Strong writing and analytical skills to produce clear decisions.

Responsibilities

• Make refugee and protection status determinations under NZ law and international instruments.
• Interview claimants, conduct investigations and analyse information.
• Write high-quality decisions that are fair and balanced.

Skills

Interviewing claimants

Legal principles application

Research and analysis

Writing quality decisions

Verbal and written communication

Education

Tertiary qualification in a relevant field

Job description

Discover a career with purpose at MBIEDiscover a career with purpose at MBIEStart date 11 January 2027Challenging and rewarding career opportunityExciting opportunity to join a fun, supportive and high performing teamExtensive training and support providedPermanent full-time position | Auckland CBDStarting salary: $77,359 + KiwiSaver and Wellness benefitsAbout the Role - Tenei turanga:We have a challenging and exciting permanent full-time opportunity within the Refugee Status Unit (RSU) in central Auckland. You will be joining a dedicated team who are passionate about their work. As a Refugee and Protection Officer (RPO) you will be making decisions on refugee and protection status in accordance with New Zealand and international law. This will involve interviewing claimants, conducting investigations, analysing relevant information, and writing quality decisions.The RSU plays a key role in upholding New Zealand's obligations under certain international human rights instruments.We are part of the Refugee Migrant Services Branch of Immigration New Zealand, which manages the Government's commitments to asylum seekers, quota refugees and recent migrants.As an RPO you will utilise your research, analysis, writing and communication skills to make fair and balanced refugee and protected person status determinations.You will need to be agile, flexible, organised and able to meet deadlines.You will interact with people from a wide variety of backgrounds, as such cultural competence is important.Nga pukenga me nga wheako e hiahiatia ana - Skills and Experience RequiredFamiliarity with the Refugee Convention, Convention Against Torture, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.Understanding of the Immigration Act 2009 and other relevant international human rights instruments.Knowledge of New Zealand refugee case law, particularly decisions from the Immigration and Protection Tribunal.Excellent verbal and written communication skills.A tertiary qualification in a relevant field or equivalent knowledge and experience in refugee status determination.Ability to gain and maintain a national security clearance as required.Our ideal applicant is someone who has excellent writing skills, the ability to apply legal principles in making objective, well-reasoned decisions, and the ability to work under pressure.For your application to be considered, you must have New Zealand citizenship or hold a Permanent Resident Visa.About MBIE - Etahi korero mo MBIE:MBIE's goal is to create a resilient and high-performing economy that delivers real and ongoing quality of life for all New Zealanders.We do this by working with others to create an environment that supports businesses to be more productive and internationally competitive, enables all New Zealanders to participate in the economy through improved job opportunities and by working to ensure quality housing is more affordable.People are at the heart of our mahi, our way of working is guided by our values which shape our behaviours.Mahi Tahi - Better TogetherMaia - Bold and bravePae Kahurangi - Build our FuturePono Me Te Tika - Own ItOur aspirations are echoed in our Maori identity - Hikina Whakatutuki - which broadly means `lifting to make successful'.MBIE recognises the partnership founded under Te Tiriti o Waitangi between Maori and the Crown and is committed to giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We will do this through enduring, meaningful and effective partnerships with iwi, Maori, other Maori groups/organisations and the Crown, as this is critical to enable economic and social development, both for Maori and for wider Aotearoa New Zealand. We are committed to continuing to partner with iwi in order to find new sustainable solutions to address long standing systemic and cross-cutting issues facing Maori and wider Aotearoa New Zealand and we are also committed to identifying opportunities for iwi to lead and creating an enabling environment for iwi to leverage these opportunities.E mohio ana a Hikina Whakatutuki i puea ake te kotuinga I waenganui i a ngai Maori me te Karauna i Te Tiriti o Waitangi, a, kei te whai ia ki te whakau ake i Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Ma te whai kiko o nga kotuinga ahunga roa o nga iwi, o ngai Maori, me etahi atu ropu Maori ki te Karauna, ka tutuki tenei. He ahuatanga nui tenei e ahei ai nga mahi whanaketanga a-ohanga, a-papori hoki ki a ngai Maori me Aotearoa whanui. E whai tonu ana matou ki te kotui atu ki nga iwi mo te rapu huarahi hou ki te whakaara i nga kaupapa kua roa nei e tami ana i a ngai Maori me Aotearoa whanui, a, e whai ana hoki ki te tautohu i nga aheinga kokiritanga ma nga iwi, me te tautoko i nga iwi kia whai mana ake ai enei aheinga.How to Apply - Me pehea te tono:Click here to view a position description.When you are ready to apply please send a CV and cover letter telling us why you're the perfect fit for this role.All applications must be submitted via our online process.We can't wait to hear from you!Email Emily Boyd at [e-mail] quoting ref MBIE/20361 if you have any further questions.Applications close on Wednesday 4 November 2026 at 11.59pm.