Inquiries Specialist

The Controller and Auditor-General is a constitutional role designed to protect the financial integrity of New Zealand’s system of government. We provide independent assurance to Parliament and the public that public organisations are operating and accounting for their performance as Parliament intended.

Position description

Your responsibilities and objectives

Primary objectives

1. The primary objective of the Inquiries Specialist is to carry out inquiries on behalf of the Auditor-General, under section 18 of the Public Audit Act 2001, and to help with the maintenance of the methodology and processes to support those inquiries.

General responsibilities and objectives

1. The inquiries work of the Office of the Auditor-General (OAG) involves:

• a substantial amount of information gathering (documentary and through interviews) and analysis;
• preparing detailed reports, whether for internal use or publication, to summarise our findings and aid decision-making on the appropriate response;
• consulting with affected parties to check our findings for factual accuracy and balance and to meet natural justice requirements;
• considering complex issues about the balance between legal requirements, good administration and decision-making, practical constraints, and political context, including the role of elected representatives; and
• considering the boundaries of the role of the Auditor-General, as opposed to other public sector accountability mechanisms.

The Inquiries Specialist will be responsible for:

• carrying out inquiries on behalf of the Auditor-General and advising or helping others in carrying out inquiries, audits, and special projects;
• helping to build and maintain constructive working relationships across the OAG, and between the OAG and other state sector and legal professional organisations and individuals;
• carrying out and assisting with extensive interaction with affected parties and parties involved in the inquiry to check findings for factual accuracy and balance, and to meet natural justice requirements;
• assisting with developing and maintaining the OAG’s methodology and processes for inquiries;
• representing the OAG, either as a participant or speaker, at conferences and other appropriate events; and
• providing training for OAG staff on the inquiries methodology and processes.

The value you will bring

Your knowledge and experience:

• Experience working in a multi-disciplinary environment.
• Excellent research and analytical skills.
• High personal integrity and a commitment to public sector ethics and values.
• A good understanding of the parliamentary and public sector environment, the political context of government, and of public and administrative law.
• The ability to identify patterns and trends and to challenge elements that appear out of the ordinary.
• Well-developed relationship management skills, with the ability to interact effectively and confidently with a wide range of individuals at all levels in the public sector, including Ministers, Members of Parliament, mayors, local authority members, chief executives, and internal and external legal and other professional advisers.
• A demonstrated ability to solve problems and make sound judgements.
• Professional scepticism and personal detachment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• The ability to work autonomously and manage your own work programme.
• Energy, enthusiasm, and drive to meet time frames and goals.
• The desire to take ownership and continually extend your personal and professional development.

Your qualifications:

• A relevant tertiary qualification in law or similar discipline.

Staff management and relationships

Staff reporting to your position

• There are no staff reporting to this position.

Key competencies

Commitment to te Tiriti o Waitangi

Te Tiriti o Waitangi | The Treaty of Waitangi (the Treaty) is New Zealand’s founding document and part of the nation’s constitutional framework. Our independence means we have a role to play in ensuring that the public sector is delivering on its Treaty obligations. As a statutory body performing a public function, we also need to carry out our work in a way that upholds the Treaty. Our vision is to be seen as trustworthy by both Treaty partners, able to hold public organisations accountable in a way that iwi, hapū, and whānau Māori, as well as Parliament and the wider public, can have confidence in.

To help give effect to our commitment to the Treaty, we are building our capability to develop meaningful relationships with Māori and to focus on matters that make a real difference for iwi, hapū, and whānau Māori.

Health and Safety responsibilities

For yourself:

• Work safely and take responsibility for keeping yourself and colleagues free from harm.
• Report all incidents and hazards promptly.
• Know what to do in an emergency.
• Co-operate in implementing return-to-work plans.
• Be a visible role model at all times.
• Follow the Office’s safety rules and procedures.