Job description:
The position is the key specialist reporting to the Tasmanian National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) and provides independent, proactive, preventive oversight of places of detention in Tasmania. It works cooperatively with the Office of the Custodial Inspector, which exercises inspection functions in respect of Tasmanian custodial facilities.
The Tasmanian NPM exercises four functions: visiting, educative, cooperative, and advisory. Alongside its counterparts in other jurisdictions, the Tasmanian NPM is an independent member of the Australian NPM, which is coordinated by the Commonwealth NPM. The NPM forms part of Australia’s obligations under the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT). The Tasmanian NPM is established under the OPCAT Implementation Act 2021 (Tas) (the Act).
The position has a leadership role contributing to the strategic planning and decision making of the office and responsible for organisational outcomes and recommendations to the Tasmanian NPM; and outputs to state, national and international bodies (such as the responsible Minister, the Commonwealth NPM, and the United Nations Subcommittee on the prevention of Torture). This is an evolving role, with direct reports and operational requirements increasing over time as the office is established and commences operations.