Job Description Job Title: Reports to: Contract/Hours: Location: Advisor Monitoring and Investigations Director, Monitoring and Investigations Permanent Full Time Wellington Date: March 2018 Children s Commissioner s Purpose The Children s Commissioner is an Independent Crown Entity, appointed by the Governor- General, carrying out responsibilities and functions set out in the Children s Commissioner Act 2003. The Children s Commissioner has a range of statutory powers to promote the rights, health, welfare, and wellbeing of children and young people from 0 to 18 years. These functions are undertaken through investigations and monitoring, advocacy and advice, public awareness, consultation and research. This role includes specific functions in respect of monitoring activities carried out under the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 and the Commissioner s monitoring mandate as a National Preventive Mechanism under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989. The Children s Commissioner also undertakes systemic advocacy functions and investigates particular issues which have the potential to threaten the health, safety, or wellbeing of children and young people. The Children s Commissioner has a particular responsibility to raise awareness and understanding of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Children s Commissioner s activities must comply with the relevant provisions of the Public Finance Act 1989, Crown Entities Act 2004 and any other relevant legislation. Our People and Our Values The Commissioner s staff bring specialist skills and expertise to the varied and complex challenges facing children today. We have the ability to influence government to ensure children s needs are respected and progressed. We have the skills to research and evaluate complex information. We understand the power of strong stakeholder relationships and so we work hard to develop and maintain them. The way that we think and work is driven by behavioural norms and expectations reflected in the organisational values we collectively hold dear. To be successful, the values that all Commission employees strive to uphold are: Aroha Children are sacred beings. They are Taonga, born with their own mana. They are shaped by those that care for them. We always act with compassion and empathy, adapting readily to respond to their needs. Pono We believe honesty and integrity are key to doing our job well. We always report things as we see them and never as how others want them to be seen. We stay true to one important thing: we do as we say we will. Page 1 of 8
Tika We are always about the best possible results for children. We empower others to bring about the best for them. We are independent and always speak out for their interests. We consider the range of needs we have to meet, and make every attempt to get it right. Matauranga Children are our reason for being. They are involved, participate and have input into things we do. We act from a place of knowledge; we work from evidence and advise others based on the things we learn. These values are supported by a clear performance framework that translates them into clear behaviours that all staff must consistently demonstrate. Purpose of this position The Advisor Monitoring and Investigations works as an integral part of a professional team supporting the Children s Commissioner to meet his statutory responsibilities to undertake independent monitoring and investigation of policies and practices related to children and young people under the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 and the Crimes of Torture Act 1989. Key Accountabilities The Advisor Monitoring and Investigations will be required to work, with other advisors, senior advisors, and principal advisors, to: 1. Monitor policies and practices delivered under the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989, in particular those delivered by Oranga Tamariki 2. Undertake monitoring, investigations and advocacy to promote and protect the safety, best interests and wellbeing of children and young people 3. Contribute to the scoping, planning and design of monitoring visits 4. Undertake site and residence monitoring visits as part of our monitoring and investigation role 5. Undertake analysis of monitoring findings in collaboration with other team members 6. Write clearly written reports and advice based on the team s analysis of findings and agreed conclusions 7. Contribute to the provision of feedback to Oranga Tamariki sites, residences and national office, and when appropriate, to non-government care providers accredited under Section 396 of the Oranga Tamariki Act, presenting a summary of key monitoring findings, including: enablers and barriers to good practice; strengths and areas for development 8. Help identify areas for service improvement at the practice, service delivery, structural, policy and strategic levels 9. Work with a range of stakeholders, communities and agencies and as part of a wider office team to promote and protect the rights and wellbeing of children, through provision of advice, waananga, seminars and presentations. Page 2 of 8
Key Accountability Areas: Key accountabilities/expectations: Monitoring Undertake monitoring of policies and practices as provided for under the Children s Commissioner s Act, under the overall direction of the Director Monitoring and Investigations and/or experienced senior monitoring team members and in accordance with the scope and design for each monitoring project Engage purposefully, sensitively and effectively with children and young people, families and whanau, Oranga Tamariki staff and managers and Iwi and community stakeholders when gathering their feedback, experiences and information to inform monitoring assessments Alongside the Director Monitoring and Investigations and/or other team members provide feedback on monitoring findings to relevant agencies, particularly Oranga Tamariki, to help improve policies and practice Prepare reports and recommendations on practice and service delivery and briefings to inform policy development and service improvement Analyse material and information gathered as part of monitoring, to assist in Identifying systemic issues that need to be addressed Contribute to preparation and delivery of presentations on the findings of the monitoring work and issues related to the rights of children and young people in statutory care and/or custody. Actively seek to achieve strategic influence, applying monitoring findings to achieve positive systemic change for children and young people Investigations Contribute to undertaking investigations as provided for under the Children s Commissioner s Act, under the overall direction of the Director, Monitoring and Investigations or a senior team member Contribute to undertaking investigations into individual cases in a manner consistent with the Statement of Intent, operational policies and best practice standards Undertake analysis of material and information to support the team to Identify systemic issues that need to be addressed and seek opportunities for doing so effectively Page 3 of 8
Key Accountability Areas: Advocacy General Advisory Services and support Strategy And Policy Development team and individual performance and activities Project Management and other duties as required Key accountabilities/expectations: In the context of the monitoring role, and under the overall direction of the Director Monitoring and Investigations: Work strategically to provide support for a child-centred approach and actively demonstrate a commitment to improving services and outcomes for mokopuna Maori and whanau Work alongside team and office colleagues and government and community stakeholders, to ensure children s rights and needs are protected, supported, understood and responded to effectively Engage with mokopuna Maori and whanau, hapu and iwi and Pacific people in ways that demonstrate respect, enhance the Office s reputation and relationships and strengthen the capacity of the monitoring team and the wider office to achieve the Commissioner s priority outcomes Actively support the implementation of Mana Mokopuna, the Office s principle-based Te Ao Maori monitoring lens Take opportunities to engage with and listen to children and promote the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCROC) Contribute to the provision of timely and sound advice to the Children s Commissioner and the Office s management team on children s issues Support the Child Rights Line Advisor with specialist child protection and youth justice advice as required Contribute to the development of long-range policies and strategies for the Office, sharing expertise and knowledge freely Contribute to supporting the achievement of the Commissioner s priorities and the overall vision and goals of the Office Participate in the development and operation of activities which develop overall performance of self, colleagues, team and the Office Participate in peer review of own and others work, accepting feedback on own performance Identify and act on personal development opportunities, including the Office s Te Reo classes Manage and participate in projects and perform other duties as required Page 4 of 8
Key Relationships Internal: Children s Commissioner Director Monitoring and Investigations Monitoring team colleagues Director Strategy, Rights and Advice Strategy, Rights and Advice team colleagues Corporate Manager Corporate Support staff External Oranga Tamariki national and regional offices, residence and sites Iwi and Non-Government stakeholders national and local, including Barnardos NZ Department of Corrections Government Ministries and Departments Human Rights Commission, Ombudsman s Office Qualifications/Experience Excellent engagement, relationship management and inquiry skills Sound analytical skills with the ability to synthesise information, draw conclusions and make recommendations. Some experience in the practice of a relevant professional discipline or in research and evaluation would be advantageous. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including presentation and facilitation skills. Successful experience engaging with and interviewing children, young people and their families, particularly mokopuna Maori and whanau Experience in monitoring or reviewing the implementation of policies and practices in a statutory agency or in undertaking relevant child-centred case-based or site investigations or evaluation would be advantageous. An understanding of the provisions of the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989, the Commissioner s role as a National Preventive Mechanism in accordance with the United Nations Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other relevant legislation. An understanding of: statutory Care and Protection and Youth Justice service provision and practice; the care and protection and youth justice residential care system; and the overall responsibilities of Oranga Tamariki Tertiary qualification in a relevant discipline with a professional practice background or evidence of equivalent experience relating to children s rights, interests and wellbeing Experience and skill in conducting investigations into sensitive matters, analysing findings and writing succinct, clear reports Culturally competent with demonstrated experience of working effectively to improve outcomes for mokopuna Maori and Pacific children. Understanding of the range of services and programmes available to vulnerable children and young people and their families and whanau Knowledge of statutory and public service processes and experience in the interpretation and application of legislation Page 5 of 8
Special Requirements Teamwork: able to work independently when required while also thriving in a collaborative team context where many activities are carried out collectively by members of the team Enjoys multi-tasking and the stimulation of a varied and busy work programme Willing to travel frequently for several days at a time, including flying between locations, to fulfil job requirements Welcomes and values diversity, and contributes to an inclusive working environment where differences are acknowledged and respected Holds current driver s licence and is prepared to drive vehicles for work purposes when required Competencies The has recently developed a set of core competencies that are based on the Lominger framework. These seven core competencies are defined below and are supported by a framework that sets expectations for Monitoring Advisors. More detail is provided as part of our core Performance Management Framework. Page 6 of 8
Competencies Stakeholder Focus Is dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external stakeholders; gets first hand customer information and uses it for improvements in our practice and service; acts with stakeholders in mind; establishes and maintains effective relationships with stakeholders and gains their trust and respect. Seeks to understand stakeholders and their needs and expectations. Effective Communication Is effective in a variety of formal presentation settings: one-on-one, small and large groups, with peers, direct reports, and senior managers; is effective both inside and outside the organisation, across both analytical and controversial topics; commands attention and can manage group process during the presentation; can change tactics midstream when something isn t working. Accountable for Results Can be counted on to deliver successfully on goals; is constantly and consistently one of the top performers; very bottom-line oriented; steadfastly pushes self and others for results. Prioritisation and planning Accurately scopes out length and difficulty of tasks and projects; sets objectives and goals; breaks down work into the process steps; develops schedules and task/ people assignments; anticipates and adjusts for problems and roadblocks; measures performance against goals; evaluates results; accepts responsibility for tasks and decisions; Spends his/her time and the time of others on what's important; quickly zeros in on the critical and puts the trivial aside; can quickly sense what will help or hinder accomplishing a goal; eliminates roadblocks and creates focus; can orchestrate multiple activities at once to accomplish goals; uses time effectively and concentrates their activity on the important priorities. Decision Quality Makes good decisions based on a mixture of analysis, wisdom, experience and judgement; most of his or her solutions and suggestions turn out to be correct and accurate when judged over time; devises workable and practical recommendations and solutions; weighs up the risks and benefits of various options; makes decisions in a timely manner, sometimes with incomplete information and under tight deadlines and pressure; able to make a quick decision; sought out by others for advice and solutions. Page 7 of 8
Strategic Agility Sees ahead clearly; can anticipate future consequences and trends accurately; has broad knowledge and perspective; is future oriented; can articulately paint credible pictures and visions of possibilities and likelihoods; can create competitive and breakthrough strategies and plans. Can effectively cope with change and shift gears comfortably; Isn't upset when things are up in the air; doesn t have to finish things before moving on; can comfortably handle risk and uncertainty. Reflective practice and selfdevelopment Values learning and self-development and is personally committed to and actively works to continuously improve him/herself and seeks feedback for ways to improve; understands that different situations and levels may call for different skills and approaches; works to deploy strengths; works on compensating for weakness and limits Is confident of own abilities and maintains and develops high professional and personal standards. Page 8 of 8