Deputy Ombudsman

**Come join our team to make a difference in the NSW public sector**

**Vacancy**: Deputy Ombudsman, Investigations and Major Projects, Band 1
**Location**: Sydney CBD with hybrid and flexible working options
**Employment**: Term
**Salary Range**: Senior Executive Band 1 role with a TRP of $247,452 to $260,194
**Role No**: CFR22/AOMB03

**About the NSW Ombudsman**

The NSW Ombudsman’s Office is an independent integrity office that supports people to receive the right services and fair treatment from NSW government agencies and government-funded community service providers. We report directly to the NSW Parliament. We have been handling complaints and investigating maladministration by NSW government departments and agencies since 1975.

Our Office is currently expanding and we are looking for highly experienced professionals to join our exciting and growing team.

Come join and make a difference within the NSW public sector.

**The Role**

The Deputy Ombudsman leads the Investigations and Major Projects Branch (IMPB).

Investigations are conducted under the Ombudsman Act 1974 and projects focused on systemic issues related to Ombudsman functions. The latter may include inquiries or reviews under the Community Services (Complaints, Reviews and Monitoring) Act 1993; monitoring reviews of complaint handling systems; monitoring or other reports under the Public Interest Disclosures Act; and projects that otherwise highlight emerging issues in administrative conduct, or promote good administrative conduct.

Ombudsman Investigations and Major Projects are staffed on a ‘project’ basis across the office, and may be sponsored by operational statutory officers. This means in addition to leading the conduct of investigations and major projects, Branch staff must support other operational teams undertaking this work. The Deputy Ombudsman will lead initiatives to embed best practice in the conduct of investigations and systemic projects across the Ombudsman’s office.

The Deputy Ombudsman exercises powers and functions delegated by the Ombudsman, enabling the Deputy Ombudsman to take actions and make decisions across their areas of responsibility. The Deputy Ombudsman raises critical and significant issues with the Chief Deputy Ombudsman and Ombudsman. Accordingly, the role carries considerable responsibility on matters with the potential to impact externally at the individual, agency/organisation and whole-of-government level.

The Deputy Ombudsman acts with a significant degree of day-to-day independence in planning, directing and managing the diverse range of activities undertaken by the branch.

**About you**
- A qualification in law with admission as a legal practitioner and holding, or eligible to hold, an unrestricted practising certificate would be highly advantageous.
- Substantial experience at a senior level and demonstrated expertise in leading complex investigations and/or complex reviews of an administrative nature. Experience leading investigations related to misconduct in the public sector, complex system reviews in public or community services, and/or performance audits would be highly desirable.
- Substantial experience managing a team of investigations and project officer experts.
- Experienced in developing and maintaining an effective infrastructure of operational policies, procedures and governance frameworks to support effective and efficient delivery of investigations and systemic projects. This includes mechanisms to enable early identification and appropriate prioritisation of significant matters and complex issues, appropriate resource allocation, progress monitoring, and quality assurance.
- Growth leadership approach that builds high performance, a learning culture and a shared sense of purpose.
- Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills and proven ability to build collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders, and to interact and provide advice at a senior level.
- Consistent demonstration of sound judgement and behaviours that align with the values of the Ombudsman’s Office, including ethical conduct, integrity, impartiality and acting in the public interest.
- Australian permanent resident or citizen or New Zealand citizen.

**What can we offer?**
- Competitive salary and future growth opportunities within NSW Ombudsman
- Flexibility and the capacity to work in a hybrid way
- Opportunity to utilise and hone executive leadership and mentorship skills
- Close to public transport - office is adjacent to Town Hall Train Station
- Great team environment and culture

**Notes**:

- Covering letter highlighting your claims for the role.
- Resume outlining your skills, knowledge, and experience as relevant to this role.
- The assessment process will be conducted by a standard panel assessment process.
- A recruitment pool may be created through this recruitment process. A recruitment pool is a pool of applicants who have been assessed and identified as su