Job Description
- Commencing in June 2023
- Long term role
- Based in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
- Open to PNG Citizens only
About the Program
Abt PNG Management Services supports five Abt programs based in Papua New Guinea (PNG). This Shared Services Platform supports the following programs with service triaged and prioritised based on risk.
The following initiatives are funded by the Australian Government and managed by Abt Associates:
- Australia PNG Economic Partnership (APEP)
- Australia PNG Subnational Program (APSP)
- PNG-Australia Transition to Health (PATH)
- PNG Partnerships for Improving Education (PIE)
- PNG Women’s Lead (PNGWL)
About the Opportunity
Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, the Legal and Contracts Manager is the senior most Papua New Guinean Lawyer in the team and has three direct reports. The Legal and Contracts Manager leads program contracting and compliance activities in PNG and leads all in-house legal advisory services.
The Legal and Contracts team is responsible for in-country contracting activities (including but not limited to grants, sub-contracts, purchase agreements and leasing); the management and continuous advancement of fraud control and management for PNG operations; and legal and procurement advisory services.
The Legal and Contracts Manager is regularly required to provide high level legal advice including but not limited to commercial law, company law, contract law, and employment law issues. The Legal and Contracts Manager works very closely with Procurement and Finance teams to support compliance with the Abt PNG Operations Manual relevant policies and procedures and has financial management system contract approval delegations.
Key responsibilities
The Legal and Contracts Manager will work to support a “whole of Abt PNG” to establish an effective and efficient integrated operating environment for Legal and Contractual functions.
The Legal and Contracts Manager is responsible for:
- Acting as a Fraud Control Officer and lead on fraud reporting, mitigation and training across Abt PNG programs;
- Mentor Legal and Contracts staff in-country;
- Provide high level legal advisory services to Abt PNG programs, 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 PNG program operations as required by the program Executive Teams 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 Abt PNG Operations Manual;
- Lead contracting due diligence in accordance with program head contract requirements and DFAT guidance including relevant list checks, company registrations and coordinating Safeguarding assessments;
- Lead 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 grant contracting matters and compliance with the Commonwealth Grant Rules and Guidelines and the Abt PNG Operations Manual;
- Lead in the maintenance of the in-country program and head office program Contracts and Grants Registers and other compliance registers and assist with associated reporting;
- Lead 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 PNG program operations;
- Lead 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;
- 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:
- Supporting the delivery of robust and effective operations systems and processes that enable the delivery of high quality, responsive and flexible programming (including the Abt PNG Operations Manual).
- Contribution to and maintenance of a corporate risk management framework to ensure all corporate risk and fraud issues are proactively identified, reported and managed following corporate and DFAT policies and procedures
- All programmatic and corporate risk and fraud issues are proactively identified, reported, and managed following corporate and DFAT policies and procedures
- Effective management of the legal and contracts team and relationships with Abt PNG Management Shared Services and Brisbane Corporate Team.
Key working relationships
- PNG Programs Executive Leadership team and Senior Management team
- Abt PNG Management Services Shared Services Units
- Abt Associates Head Office including legal and risk teams.
About You
For applications to be considered, a response to the key selection criteria below must be provided.
- Minimum 8 years of prior relevant work experience
- Degree in law and admitted to practice law in Papua New Guinea (or ability to apply for admission)
- Current Papua New Guinea legal practicing certificate (or ability to obtain one)
- Experience in leading in providing high level legal and contracting support to business units, executives and senior management in an organisation. Applicants with experience in donor funded programs or projects within the international development sector are highly desirable.
- Experience in advising and ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, company policies and operational processes. Applicants with experience relating to the Commonwealth Procurement Rules are highly desirable.
- Demonstrated high level of written and verbal communication, facilitation, consultation and organisational skills in dealing with a diverse clientele
- Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor a small team in a fast paced and demanding environment
- Knowledge of aid funded programs or international development sector project operations (highly desirable)
- Knowledge of the Australian Commonwealth Procurement Rules (highly desirable)
How to Apply
Please submit your application online; attach your cover letter and CV as a single document, addressing how you meet the Key selection criteria of this role.
We welcome and thank all applications; however only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
Closing Date: Sunday, 7 May 2023 (12 PM, PNG Time)
About the Organization
About Us
Abt Associates is a mission-driven, global leader with a proven track record in complex program implementation in the international development sector. We offer bold solutions and technical excellence in Health, Economic Growth, Governance, Research & Evaluation, Environment & Energy, Gender Equality & Social Inclusion. Working with our many partners, we have driven measurable social impact for more than 55 years, to achieve our mission of improving the quality of life and economic well-being of people worldwide. We operate in remote and challenging environments and employ more than 3,700 staff in over 50 countries. For more information about us and what we do, visit our website at www.abtassociates.com
Equity
Abt Associates values individuality and celebrates difference with a strong commitment to diversity, equality, racial equity, gender, and disability inclusion. We strongly encourage people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to apply for this position. We offer flexible work arrangements and a culturally safe environment for staff members from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds.
Safeguarding
We are deeply committed to safeguarding, to protect and prevent harm and abuse to individuals we work for and who work for us. Our recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. We will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, child abuse, sexual abuse or exploitation in any form, and expect everyone to be treated with respect and dignity.
