Law and Justice Adviser - ARoB

Program Background

DT Global has been engaged by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to manage the next phase of Australia’s investment in strengthening the delivery of law and justice services in Papua New Guinea for a 4-year period to 31 December 2027.

The Australia-PNG Law and Justice Partnership (APLJ) seeks to contribute to PNG’s law and justice sector capacity to provide inclusive, safe, secure and accountable law and justice foundations for peaceful and prosperous communities, equitable economic development and private sector growth. The program aligns with GoPNG’s law and justice sector goal of ‘building peaceful and prosperous communities together’.

In the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, APLJ maintains an office in Buka and works closely with the ABG and law and justice stakeholders to support Bougainville’s evolving law and justice sector.

A central element of this work is the Shaping Bougainville Justice (SBJ) program, an ABG-led reform agenda supporting the progressive development of a law and justice system tailored to Bougainville’s constitutional, institutional and social context. SBJ involves complex and interrelated policy, legislative, institutional and operational reforms, including the development and transition of justice institutions and functions to Bougainville. This requires close cooperation between the ABG, GoPNG law and justice agencies and other stakeholders, together with sustained technical assistance to translate policy and legislative reforms into functioning institutions and improved services for the people of Bougainville.

About DT Global Asia Pacific

At DT Global Asia Pacific, we aim to positively impact people’s lives through delivery excellence. As a leading implementing partner across Asia and the Pacific, we co-create locally led solutions in partnership with governments, communities, and stakeholders. We bring together talented teams and deep regional expertise to deliver initiatives that promote inclusive economic growth, essential services, and resilient, secure communities. With over 1,500 staff, experts in 22+ countries and more than 60 years of development experience, we tackle complex community, national and transnational challenges — from governance and justice systems to climate resilience, infrastructure and social equity — with innovative thinking and a commitment to long-term impact.

For more information, please see www.dt-global.com

The Role

The Law and Justice Adviser will provide strategic, policy, legal and institutional development advice to the ABG and Bougainville law and justice sector.

Working closely with the ABG Department of Justice and Legal Services (DJLS), the Bougainville Law and Justice Coordinating Mechanism, relevant law and justice institutions, GoPNG counterparts and the APLJ ARoB team, the Adviser will support the development and implementation of priority reforms under the Shaping Bougainville Justice program and the broader strengthening of law and justice institutions and services in Bougainville.

The role will place particular emphasis on translating policy and legislative reforms into practical, sustainable institutional arrangements and improved justice services.

The Adviser will work through a partnership and capacity-development approach, providing advice and technical assistance while supporting ABG leadership, ownership and institutional capability.

Click on the link or copy paste it to access the full Terms of Reference for this position:

https://tinyurl.com/2bk3cv9x

About You

Qualifications

• A tertiary qualification in law, public policy, governance, international development, public administration or another relevant discipline.
• Admission or eligibility for admission as a legal practitioner in Papua New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand or another relevant jurisdiction, is desirable.

Essential Experience and Knowledge

• Significant professional experience working in law and justice, governance, justice sector reform or institutional development.
• Demonstrated experience providing high-level policy, strategic or institutional advice to government.
• Demonstrated experience supporting complex institutional or public-sector reform processes.
• Experience working with senior government officials and navigating complex institutional environments.
• Strong analytical skills and demonstrated ability to translate complex policy or institutional issues into practical recommendations.
• Demonstrated experience in capacity development, mentoring and working collaboratively with government counterparts.
• Strong commitment to gender equality, disability and social inclusion, safeguarding and culturally appropriate approaches to development.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Experience and Knowledge

• Experience working in Papua New Guinea and/or Bougainville.
• Knowledge of the Bougainville Peace Agreement, Bougainville Constitution and the constitutional arrangements governing the relationship between the ABG and GoPNG.
• Experience supporting decentralisation, devolution, transfer of functions or establishment of new government institutions.
• Experience working in post-conflict, fragile or politically transitional environments.
• Experience with Australian Government-funded development programs.
• Knowledge of customary and community-based justice systems and their relationship with formal justice institutions.

Why join Australia – Papua New Guinea Law and Justice Partnership?

By joining the APLJ, you will be part of a dynamic and effective team where you can collaborate with leading experts and professionals from diverse backgrounds, access development programs to achieve your career goals, and be challenged to take a global outlook.