Riti Ali Email & Phone Number

New Zealand

Auckland, New Zealand

Auckland, New Zealand

New Zealand

- Maintained specialist knowledge in relation to contractual requirements with Immigration New Zealand (INZ) and the Australian Department of Home Affairs (HA);- Maintained records on Deed of Variations, Change Control Notices, and supplier management reports;- Ensured compliance with contractual requirements, including the timely provision to the client of cyclical and regular reporting and evidentiary documentation.- Provided a single point of contact to HA in relation to contract management issues.- Provided support to Visa Application Centres (VACs) in relation to ad hoc changes, such as legislative and service delivery changes, and new internal policies and procedures.- Planned and coordinated transition projects resulting from Change Control Notices, such as the implementation of new services, such as applicant biometric collection, etc.- Identified training needs, developed, coordinated and delivered regional training to VACs via face-to-face and remote (electronic) delivery modes. - Planned and conducted internal operational VAC audits and communicated audit results to internal and external stakeholders. Planned and conducted ad hoc assurance exercises, including mystery shopper exercises and client service surveys.- Monitored customer feedback and coordinated customer feedback responses.- Provided regional support for organisation-wide audit and compliance activities, such as those relating to ISO accreditation. Liaised with INZ and HA in relation to client and Five Country Conference (FCC) audits and coordinated responses to audit findings.- Provided support to business development activities, including, but not limited to review of bid material, liaison with prospective clients, etc.

Auckland, New Zealand

- Ensured compliance with contractual requirements, including the timely provision to the client of cyclical and regular reporting and evidentiary documentation.- Provided a single point of contact to DIBP in relation to contract management issues.- Provided support to VACs in relation to ad hoc changes, such as DIBP/INZ legislative and service delivery changes and implemented new internal policies and procedures.- Planned and coordinated transition projects resulting from Change Control Notices, such as the implementation of new services, biometric expansion, etc.- Identified training needs, developed, coordinated and delivered regional training to VACs via face-to-face and remote (electronic) delivery modes. - Planned and conducted internal operational VAC audits and communicated audit results to internal and external stakeholders. Planned and conducted ad hoc assurance exercises, including mystery shopper exercises and client service surveys.- Monitored customer feedback and coordinated customer feedback responses.- Provided regional support for organisation-wide audit and compliance activities, such as those relating to ISO accreditation. Liaised with INZ and HA in relation to client and Five Country Conference (FCC) audits and coordinated responses to audit findings.- Provided support to business development activities, including, but not limited to review of bid material, liaison with prospective clients, etc.

Auckland, New Zealand

- Managed all operations in New Zealand, including four ‘pop-up’ Visa Application and Biometric Collection Centres in Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown and Dunedin and two full Visa Application Centres in Auckland and Queenstown.- Provided coaching and training to NZ staff in interpreting and applying technical knowledge to assist in providing pre-lodgment and lodgment services to visa applicants.- Drafted regional training material and conducted training in all South Pacific offices (NZ, Fiji, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Samoa, Tonga, Solomon Is, PNG, Kiribati and Nauru).- Managed the expansion of Australia’s biometric collection regime in the South Pacific and provided biometrics technical support to biometric collection locations.- Provided support to TTS management on contractual issues.

Australian High Commission Suva

- Managed a complex and diverse case load within mandated service standards, receiving high volumes of compliments and superior performance ratings. - Delegated by the Minister for Immigration to make lawful decisions on visa applications in accordance with the Australian Migration Act 1958, Migration Regulations 1994, and other relevant legislation and policies.- Conducted investigative Interviews of clients in order to verify their claims. Conducted high-volume face-to-face and telephone transactions, liaising with clients from diverse backgrounds in often challenging and sensitive cases.- Worked in accordance with the Australian Public Service (APS) Code of Conduct, Client Service Charter, Privacy Act 1988 and Freedom of Information Act 1982.- Competently utilised IT systems, including MS Office products and various HA systems to achieve high levels of efficiency and effectiveness.- Authored the Service Delivery Partner (SDP) Standard Operating Procedures documentation for the Pacific Region, detailing business processes and best practice in relation to processing visa applications with an outsourced Service Delivery Partner.- Selected by HA Pacific Regional Director in Nov 2011 to travel to Nauru as technical expert to train Australian Visa Application Centre (AVAC) Nauru staff, and support AVAC commencement and HA post closure. Selected in Feb 2012 to train AVAC Auckland staff and to conduct business analysis of SDP-related processes at HA Auckland office.- Provided coaching and training to colleagues in interpreting and applying legislation in the assessment of complex Migration and Citizenship applications.- Corresponded effectively with internal and external agencies across several countries, including the drafting of refusal decision correspondence.

Suva, Fiji

- Rendered legal opinions and professional advice to the CEO, the executive management and the staff of Inland Revenue Services and Customs. - Drafted and vetted contracts and legal documents, including MOU between the Authority and counterpart Australian and New Zealand government agencies. - Guided investigation teams for Customs cases, led meetings and conducted interviews of taxpayers on behalf of the Authority. - Represented the Authority, the Commissioner of Inland Revenue and the Comptroller of Customs as Legal Counsel in the Magistrates Court, High Court, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. Also represented the Authority in Dispute Tribunals in relation to staff union actions.- Provided legal opinions in the preparation and drafting of legislation relating to the Customs Act 1986, Customs Tariff Act 1986, Copyright Act 1999, Excise Act 1986 and the Income Tax Act.- Provided legal opinions and case preparation for and on behalf of the Ethical Standards Unit (ESU).- Assisted in the development of procedures and practices for the management of legal services, and provided training and coaching for Support Staff and other staff members of FIRCA on technical legal matters. - Undertook in-depth research work for preparation of cases and legal opinions. Maintained accurate and accountable file keeping records management.