Legal Officer | APEP

• Commencement: Immediate start 
• Long term role, based in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
• Open to PNG Citizens 

 

About the Program 

The Australia – PNG Economic Partnership (APEP) is a multi-sectoral investment to assist GoPNG to create a stable and more prosperous country. The investment is a key coordination point from which Australia delivers its economic development support to PNG in alignment with the Comprehensive Strategic and Economic Partnership (CSEP). The Australian Government is committed to delivering the Partnership in accordance with the principles of integration and alignment with PNG’s economic sector policies, systems and processes.

The Partnership’s policy objective is to assist PNG in its efforts to achieve sustained growth, capable of lifting the standard of living of all citizens, while also ensuring Australia maintains its reputation as PNG’s economic partner of choice.

The Partnership has gender equality, disability social inclusion (GEDSI), women’s economic empowerment (WEE), climate change, economic dialogue and open government positioned as cross-cutting objectives across all engagement areas.

It has the following End of Program Outcomes (EOPOs):

• EOPO 1 Safeguarding Macroeconomic Stability
• EOPO 2 Strengthening Public Financial Management (PFM)
• EOPO 3 Supporting More Efficient and Inclusive Markets
• EOPO 4 Fostering Inclusive Growth and Expanded Livelihoods
• EOPO 5 Catalysing Economic Research and Dialogue

Each of the five EOPOs is supported by a Pillar Lead and other staff to support activities and outputs focused on the EOPOs.

 

 

About the Opportunity

The Legal Officer will support program contracting and compliance activities in PNG and lead on program in-house legal advisory services.

The Legal Officer is regularly required to provide legal advice including but not limited to commercial law, company law, contract law, and employment law issues. The Legal Officer works very closely with program Procurement and Finance teams and the Legal and Contracts Community of Practice (CoP) Lead to support compliance with corporate and program specific Operations Manual relevant policies and procedures and has financial management system contract approval delegations.

 

 

Key responsibilities 

The APEP Legal Officer will report to the Legal and Contracts Manager and undertake the following responsibilities:

• Act as a Fraud Control Officer and support on fraud reporting, mitigation and training in the program
• Provide legal advisory services to the program, including drafting and preparing briefs, written legal advice, and leading on complex contract drafting and contract negotiations
• Advise on legislative compliance and assist in the management and advancement of the compliance framework for Abt Associates Papua New Guinean program operations as required by the program Executive Team from time to time
• Support program procurement with complex tender processes as required, while ensuring compliance with applicable procurement standards and requirements (including the Australian Commonwealth Procurement Rules) and the program Operations Manual
• Support program contracting due diligence in accordance with program head contract requirements and DFAT guidance including relevant list checks, company registrations and coordinating Safeguarding assessments
• Support in-country program contracting across a range of areas including construction, minor works, human resources, subcontracting and grants. Contracting services include advisory, drafting and negotiations
• Support program grant contracting matters and compliance with the Commonwealth Grant Rules and Guidelines and the program Operations Manual
• Support the maintenance of the in-country program Contracts and Grants Registers, Brisbane contract register and other program compliance registers and assist with associated reporting
• Support program compliance training activities, including staff training, risk analysis and mitigation and reporting across all team responsibilities in the program
• Promote value for money principles across all aspects of program operations
• Support the advancement of process and systems improvements for contracting and compliance activities and assist with development of contracting and procurement templates and tools where required
• Work closely with the Brisbane based teams on in-country contracting procedures and reporting
• Support other Abt Associates managed programs in PNG when required
• Build effective relationships with the Abt Associate’s clients, staff, contractors, and stakeholders and provide education, training and capacity building
• Provide Commissioner of Oaths services; and
• Other duties as required.

 

 

Key deliverables

Position Specific Deliverables:

• Support the Legal and Contracts Manager and PNG Programs with an efficient and high standard of contracting and legal support;
• Support the Legal and Contracts Manager and contribute to and help maintain a corporate risk management framework to ensure all corporate risk, program risk, and fraud issues are proactively identified, reported and managed following corporate and DFAT policies and procedures; 
• Ensure the accurate and up to date maintenance of program specific contract, grants, fraud registers and other registers as directed. 
• Reporting against the Abt PNG Operations Manual and PNG Program Head Contract as required by key program and corporate stakeholders; and 
• Effective management of relationships with the PNG Contracts and Legal team, APEP Executives and program staff.

 

 

Key working relationships 

• Program Executives and Senior Management team
• Legal and Contracts Manager 
• Legal and risk staff across Abt PNG programs
• Key Abt PNG Management Services staff including HR and GEDSI.
• Abt Associates Brisbane Head Office Corporate teams.

 

 

About You 

For applications to be considered, a response to the key selection criteria below must be provided. 

• Bachelor of Law Degree and admission to practice law in Papua New Guinea
• Has a minimum of 1 - 3 years relevant experience 
• Current Restricted Practicing Certificate or the ability to obtain one

 

 

How to Apply

• Please ensure to address the Key Selection Criteria (About You) in your cover letter, and submit your application online, along with your CV as a single document. 
• Applications must be submitted personally by individuals only. Applications submitted by a company or organisation will not be accepted. 
• The successful applicant will be engaged through an employment agreement determined by Abt.

 

We welcome and thank all applications; however only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Closing Date:  Sunday, 24 August 2025 (Midday local time) #LI-AUSBRIT

 

Abt Global is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to upholding high standards of Child Protection, Anti-bribery and Fraud Protection.

We encourage applications from experienced and capable women, and people with disabilities.