Principal Adviser - OPCAT

Do you want to contribute to ensuring Police detention facilities are safe, humane and meet international standards?

Do you have the knowledge and experience to understand the issues impacting the well-being and human rights of people in detention?

This role leads our custody monitoring activities as part of a small and dedicated ‘OPCAT’ team.

The Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) is an Independent Crown Entity established by the IPCA Act to investigate and resolve complaints against the Police.  Another key role of the IPCA is to serve as a National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) under the Crimes of Torture Act 1989, which implements the United Nations Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT). 

The IPCA is responsible for examining and monitoring the treatment of persons in the custody of New Zealand Police. Central to our monitoring function is conducting regular inspections of Police custodial facilities. This approach is preventive, aiming to ensure that safeguards against ill treatment are in place and that risks, poor practices, or systemic problems are identified and addressed promptly. As an NPM we make recommendations for improvements.

The Principal Adviser: OPCAT should have the skills and experience to:

• build strong relationships with Police and other key stakeholders to influence change and make improvements to the care and treatment of people in Police custody
• guide and support the work of our OPCAT Inspectors to plan, undertake and report on inspections of places of Police detention
• apply and consider best practice and relevant national and international law to identify torture or cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment.
• identify issues, trends and patterns relating to conditions in places of detention from regular environmental scanning, visits and inspections.
• provide strategic advice and support to the IPCA Chair about the IPCA’s NPM role
• lead our custodial recommendations portfolio monitoring and following up on our recommendations.

To be successful, the Principal Adviser: OPCAT must be able to effectively gain the support of Police and other key stakeholders and demonstrate an ability to lead through influence.

This is a permanent full-time position and is based at the IPCA's office in central Wellington. Regular travel across New Zealand is required.

The salary range for this role is: $113,756 up to $142,195 per annum plus 3% KiwiSaver employer contribution, dependent on experience.

A copy of the Position Description is available to download here. Please send your Letter of Application and CV by email to applications@ipca.govt.nz or by post to IPCA, PO Box 25221, Wellington 6146.

Applications for the Principal Adviser - OPCAT close at 5 pm Wednesday 4 June 2025