Legal Officer - APEP

About the role

The Australia PNG Economic Partnership (APEP) is a multi-sectoral investment supporting PNG's economic development under the PNGAus Partnership. This is a long-term Legal Officer position based in Port Moresby, starting in November 2026 and open to PNG nationals. The Legal Officer supports contracting and compliance activities and in-house legal advisory, working with the Manager, Legal and Contracts.

Key responsibilities

• Provide legal advice on commercial, company, contract and employment law, including drafting briefs, written advice and complex contracts and negotiations
• Advise on legislative compliance and help maintain the compliance framework for Abt Associates' PNG program operations
• Support procurement tender processes and contracting due diligence, including list checks, company registrations and safeguarding assessments
• Support in-country contracting (construction, minor works, HR, subcontracting, grants) and grant compliance with the Commonwealth Grant Rules and Guidelines
• Maintain contract, grants and fraud registers and related reporting
• Act as Fraud Control Officer and support fraud reporting, mitigation and training
• Support compliance training, risk analysis and mitigation, and promote value for money
• Help develop contracting and procurement templates and tools, and work with Brisbane teams and other Abt programs in PNG
• Build relationships with clients, staff, contractors and stakeholders, and provide training and capacity building
• Provide Commissioner of Oaths services and other duties as required

Required profile

• Bachelor of Law degree and admission to practice law in Papua New Guinea
• Minimum of 1 to 3 years of relevant experience
• Current Restricted Practicing Certificate or ability to obtain one
• Application must address the selection criteria in a cover letter and submit a single CV; applications by companies are not accepted