Assurance and Compliance Officer (Payroll) at Palladium

About Palladium – Palladium is a global leader in the design, development and delivery of Positive Impact – the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value. We work with governments, businesses, and investors to solve the world’s most pressing challenges. With a team of more than 3,000 employees operating in 90 plus countries and a global network of over 35,000 experts, we help improve economies, societies and, most importantly, people’s lives.

Project Overview and Role:

The Pacific Labour Facility (PLF) facilitates seasonal and longer-term work opportunities for Pacific workers in Australia. It connects Australian employers with Pacific workers, supports the administration of the Pacific Labour Scheme (PLS) and provides targeted support to the Seasonal Worker Programme (SWP).

On 14 September 2021, the Australian Government introduced the PALM scheme, which is an integrated approach to Pacific labour mobility. It streamlines the SWP and PLS by offering a single application process, giving new employers the option to recruit seasonal and/or longer-term workers and enabling existing employers that meet the eligibility criteria the option to be mutually recognised under both programs. The PALM scheme provides additional flexibilities in program and visa settings, including expanded access to Pacific and Timorese workers for employers in regional and rural areas facing workforce shortages.

The PLS Assurance and Compliance Officer will provide advice and guidance to stakeholders (internal and external) on workplace legislative requirements (such as employment law, industrial relations and workplace health and safety) to assist stakeholders in meeting their requirements under the PLS Deed of Agreement. The Assurance and Compliance Officer will undertake a schedule of risk-based monitoring and assurance activities. The primary focus of the Assurance and Compliance Officer will be to complete pay and conditions auditing of PLS Approved Employers ensuring compliance with relevant Awards / Agreements, contracts of employment and Fair Work Act requirements.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the direction of the PLS Assurance Lead the PLS Assurance and Compliance Officer will have responsibility for:

Pay and Conditions Auditing

• Desktop auditing of Approved Employers pay and conditions provided to PLS workers. This will involve reviewing payroll evidence against Modern Award or Agreement conditions, contracts of employment and Fair Work Act requirements.
• Auditing Approved Employers pay and conditions records against program requirements (such as minimum hours, compliant payroll deductions, compliant record keeping).
• Make referrals to other program stakeholders such as Fair Work Ombudsman and Department of Home Affairs.
• Develop a strong technical understanding of the Deed of Agreement (between program Approved Employers and DFAT).
• Develop a strong understanding of the PLS Approved Employer Guidelines to monitor compliance to, and provide education of, to stakeholders.
• Provide guidance and education to stakeholders (internal and external) on workplace legislative requirements (such as Fair Work Act and WHS legislation) to assist stakeholders in meeting their requirements under the PLS Deed of Agreement.
• Provide support to other team members by undertaking monitoring visits to Approved Employers and conduct investigations where necessary (responding to tip offs, complaints, or risk-based approaches).
• Undertake audits: internal – reviewing PLFs compliance to internal policies and process, external – reviewing Approved Employers compliance to Deed requirements.
• Provide initial management of first level complaints and grievances, escalating per policy where required.
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with DFAT and other Whole of Government stakeholders.
• Assist Approved Employers and other stakeholders (internal and external) to build capacity to deliver on the requirements of the program.

Due to the evolving nature of our program, it is possible that an Adviser may be expected to undertake duties that fall outside the remit of their original Terms of Reference to ensure the ongoing success of the program.

Where this is required, the following will occur:

• The adviser has the skills and experience to fulfill the duties
• This arrangement will be short term in nature

Required Qualifications:

The PLS Assurance and Compliance Officer will possess the following qualifications and experience:

• Qualifications and / or minimum 5 years’ experience in a relevant discipline such as payroll or Human Resources / Industrial Relations.
• Demonstrated experience and ability conducting detailed payroll analysis against Award / Agreement conditions.
• Technical knowledge and application of Australian workplace legislative requirements such as health and safety legislation, Fair Work Act, and industrial relations matters such as performance management, compliance to Awards and EBAs and HR processes.
• Strong analytical skills with high level of attention to detail and accuracy.
• Highly developed communication skills.
• Highly developed written skills.
• High level IT literacy in Excel and database systems.
• Solutions focused approach with the ability to manage change in a fast and productive manner.
• Flexibility to undertake travel when required, including potentially after hours and weekends.