Legal Policy Support Adviser

About the role

Palladium is recruiting a Legal Policy Support Adviser for the PNG-Australia Strongim Wok Long TVET (SWLT) program, a four-year, AUD 80 million Australian Government investment to strengthen Papua New Guinea's TVET sector. The adviser provides development support to the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology (DHERST) legal staff, helping them strengthen capacity to carry out their legislated functions and lead higher education and TVET reforms. The role is based in Port Moresby, open to PNG and international candidates, with up to 100 input days, remote and in-country, on a fixed-term contract until December 2027 (possible extension).

Key responsibilities

• Support DHERST counterparts in interpreting, applying and implementing legislative, regulatory and policy reforms, and in strengthening regulatory oversight of higher and technical education institutions.
• Develop practical tools, templates, guidance materials and procedures, and review legal and regulatory processes to improve efficiency, consistency and compliance.
• Support counterparts in advocacy, negotiation and stakeholder engagement with government agencies, institutions and industry.
• Build legal and regulatory capability through mentoring, coaching, on-the-job training and knowledge transfer, and monitor progress with feedback.
• Coordinate with DHERST, SWLT team members and other partners, including scheduled coordination meetings, and support alignment of MEL, planning, budgeting, reporting and digital systems.
• Integrate gender equality, disability and social inclusion, child protection and PSEAH safeguarding, and sustainability into all work, and support the use of disaggregated data.
• Contribute to SWLT solutions and comply with safeguarding requirements, reporting concerns promptly.

Required profile

• Minimum seven years' experience providing legal, legislative, regulatory and/or legal policy advice.
• Experience mentoring, skills transfer and institutional capacity development, and supporting legislative reviews and policy reform, preferably in the public sector, higher education, TVET or related fields.
• Experience working with senior government officials and executive decision-makers.
• Understanding of PNG government legislative and policy processes, and knowledge of the higher education and/or TVET sector.
• Ability to facilitate consultations, manage stakeholder relationships and build consensus.
• Knowledge of the international development sector and commitment to GEDSI principles and environmental and social safeguards.

Required skills

• Strong legal research, policy analysis and problem-solving skills.
• Drafting skills, including legislation, regulations, policy papers, briefs and reports.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and cross-cultural engagement skills.

To apply, submit an online application with a CV and a brief cover letter by 20 November 2026, 5.00pm AEST. Successful candidates face safeguarding-focused interviews and a due diligence process.