Contract THIS LEADERSHIP POSITION WILL UTILISE ALL YOUR SKILLS AND BACKGROUND TO DESIGN AND IMPLEMENT POLICY, COMPLIANCE AND WELFARE ACTITIVIES TO STRENGTHEN VANUATU’S LABOUR MOBILITY PROGRAMS. COME AND JOIN OUR HIGH PERFORMING AND DYNAMIC TEAM ENVIRONMENT AT THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR
Job Description
Title: Senior Labour Mobility Officer – Policy, Compliance & Welfare
Reporting to: Employment Services Unit (ESU) Manager – Vanuatu
Duration : 30 th September, 2025
Government pay scale: 6.1 : Annual salary VUV 1,906,500
Location : Port Vila, Vanuatu (ESU, DoL)
Purpose of the Position:
The Senior Labour Mobility Officer – Policy, Compliance & Welfare will oversee the development and implementation of all policy components of labour mobility, and the compliance procedural requirements linked to the two Vanuatu Labour Mobility Programs (PALM and RSE) in Employment Services Unit, Dpt Labour. There are many partners/ stakeholders within the Vanuatu Labour Mobility Program sector, both internal and external, that must operate within labour mobility legislation, policy and guidelines. This role will oversee and coordinate the efforts in ensuring these legal parameters are ‘fit for purpose’ and obligations are understood and met by all parties. The role will also oversee the Labour Mobility Community of Care referral model that has just been established.
Labour Mobility Programs (PALM and RSE):
There are currently two labour mobility programs being implemented in Vanuatu. The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Long program offers opportunities for Ni Vanuatu to work in Australia for up to four years, in various sectors (meatworks, agriculture and tourism). The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Short program offers opportunities for Ni-Vanuatu to work in Australia for up to 9 months at a time primarily in the agriculture and horticulture sectors. The Recognised Seasonal Employers (RSE) program offers opportunities for Ni-Vanuatu to work in New Zealand for up to 7 months at a time primarily in the viticulture and horticulture sectors.
Duties:
Under the direction of the Employment Services Unit Manager, Senior Labour Mobility Officer – Policy, Compliance & Welfare will:
- Supervise officer staff/ team members who make up the policy, welfare and compliance teams.
- Lead on the review of relevant legislations and feed the results into legal reform.
- Lead on the any policy development work, ensuring input is gathered from relevant stakeholders.
- Facilitate regular forums to collect perspectives/ feedback from the public and from key informants, to feed into reviews and development of legislation, policies and MOUs etc.
- Be key liaison for any external stakeholders involved in legislative or policy review and development.
- Manage the complaints process regarding agents/ representatives/ permit holders and workers.
- Manage the compliance processes involved in Labour Mobility.
- Develop and maintain internal processes to analyse and report on complaints received.
- Ensure all complaints are processed and prioritised by the compliance staff as per guidelines/ matrixes.
- Ensure correct escalation processes are adhered to for MBIE or DFAT/DEWR, for all the offshore matters.
- Ensure all agents, representatives and permit-holders are aware of their obligations and comply with relevant legislative and procedural obligations.
- Oversee all investigations relating to Labour Mobility and ensure they are consistent with the DOL’s investigation guidelines, and support/delegate investigation responsibilities to the compliance staff members as appropriate.
- Report serious breaches and abuses of migrant labour laws, international memoranda of understanding, and Codes of Conduct to the Employment Services Unit Manager.
- Support the compliance team members as they provide ongoing monitoring of the conduct of migrant worker agents and permit-holders to ensure compliance with the law.
- Manage processes relating to enforcement action against those in breach of the law or refer cases to the relevant senior labour staff and support legal action as required.
- Complete all reporting requirements pertaining to compliance activities.
- Warnings are issued in conjunction with the ESU Manager or CoL as appropriate; mediations/reconciliations are undertaken, cases recommended for prosecution are supported as required.
- Oversee the implementation and delivery of Vanuatu Labour Mobility ‘worker blacklist’ procedures.
- Lead in the annual Recruiting Agents Licensing process, ensuring all key milestones are met and on time.
- Actively participate as a member of the Senior Leadership team.
- Demonstrate appropriate workplace behaviours and lead by example in all work conduct and activities.
- Undertake other duties as requested ESU senior staff.
Qualifications and Experience:
- Demonstrated experienced in leading a team in an operational environment.
- Demonstrates high levels of initiative.
- Demonstrated background in Labour administration, or inspections and investigation activities.
- Demonstrated skills and experience in policy development.
- Has some legislative legal skills and experience.
- Has strong critical thinking and analysis skills.
- Has strong investigation skills.
- Has strong organisational and time management skills.
- Excellent computer skills (Internet, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
- Experience in managing and implementing projects.
- Commitment to teamwork and mentoring other ESU staf when appropriate.
- Excellent communication skills, for high level external engagement
- Experience in fast paced working environments, with tight deadlines
- Fluent in English and Bislama
- Be of honest character with integrity
- Familiarity with the Pacific Labour Mobility programs in Vanuatu
How to Apply
Please send your application by email to Gloria Vuti : [email protected]
Alternatively, a hard copy application can be provided to the ESU in a sealed envelope, addressed to:
Gloria Vuti
Employment Service Unit
Department of Labour
Port Vila, Vanuatu
- A cover letter that reflects:
Why you are interested in the role
-Your strong communication, networking and interpersonal skills
-Your experience in developing and delivering training programs
-Your competency in leadership, and managing and implementing projects
-Your initiative and organisational ability
-Your ability to read, write and converse in both English and Bislama
- An up-to-date CV with copies of qualifications
- Contact details (phone and email address)
- Confirmation of nationality and country of residence
Applications must be submitted by no later than 4.30pm on Friday 24 th January, 2025. Late applications will
not be considered.
For further enquiries, please contact Gloria Vuti : [email protected]
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