FPSP Overview:

FPSP, also referred to as the ‘Platform’, a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) investment, will contribute to the delivery of Fiji’s national development priorities, in line with the Australia’s International Development Policy, the Fiji-Australia Vuvale Partnership and the Development Partnership Plan.  

The Platform will deliver key bilateral programs, such as health, education, scholarships, social infrastructure, governance, climate and emergency preparedness and response. Platform activities will identify and address climate risks, promote climate action, and gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI) across and beyond the sector programs. 

The Platform has three functional Outcomes:  
1.    The Platform has delivered its sector program outcomes, including through supporting strategic coherence, planning, partnerships management, data and learning across the portfolio of investments. 
2.    The Platform has prioritised gender equality, disability-inclusive development, and climate and disaster resilience, in its systems and practices. This includes in how it undertakes sector programming and its engagement with selected Government of Fiji (GoF) agencies. 
3.    The Platform administers timely and efficient programming that is: value for money; maximises use of local supply chains; and supports good governance, and public diplomacy, effective decision making and risk management. 
 

IPP Overview:

The Institutional Partnerships Program partners with the Government of Fiji (GoF) to deliver assistance in targeted areas where Australia is well placed to support Fiji’s democratic and economic resilience: through government twinning partnerships, technical assistance and grants that can be mobilised quickly to support Fiji’s ongoing stability, prosperity, and resilience to shocks.

Position Summary:

The Legal Drafter will perform in-line legislative drafting functions for the Solicitor General (SG) and will adopt on-the-job training methods to improve the drafting skills of staff within the Drafting Division. The role may also be required to contribute to relevant Continuing Legal Education activities for legal professionals. 

Key Responsibilities:

The Legal Drafter will be responsible for but not limited to: 
•    Draft legislation and regulations as requested by the SG. 
•    Review and comment on existing draft Bills prepared by SG’s Drafting Department. 
•    Advise SG’s Drafting Division on drafting legislation, regulations, and statutory interpretation.
•    Develop productive working relationships with relevant agencies, such as the Law Reform Commission. 
•    Make recommendations for developing systems and procedures for drafting, consolidating, and publishing legislation to the Solicitor General, as appropriate. 
•    Develop and cultivate counterpart capacities, and demonstrably reduce reliance on advisory support over time. 
•    Actively mentor counterparts. 
•    Act as an ethical and professional role model in every respect and exhibit cultural, contextual, political, and personal sensitivities in all facets of the role. 

Key Outputs: 

The expected outputs and outcomes of this placement are: 
•    Legislations requested by the SG are finalised and submitted to the SG and consistent with the legislative agenda. 
•    Draft legislations are supported by sound policy development, are clearly written, well understood, and incorporate gender and social inclusion, as appropriate. 
•    Capacity Development and Sustainability Plan developed within 3 months of commencement in format agreed with the SG. 
•    Improved capacity of the SG's Office to draft legislation and provide timely and effective legal advice to Government Agencies. 
•    Final report submitted including an assessment of progress against the Capacity Development and Sustainability Plan, a situational analysis, and recommendations to inform decisions around future support. 

Key Working Relationships:

•    Reports to the Solicitor General on the delivery and quality of agreed outputs. 
•    Accountable to the Platform’s IPP Program Manager for employment administration.
 

Selection Criteria:

Qualifications 
•    A Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree.

Experience 
•    A minimum of 5 years of experience in the field of legislative drafting. 
•    Proven experience in working with a legislative drafting office, including mentoring a team to develop systems and procedures for drafting, consolidating, and publishing legislation. 
•    Previous experience working in the public sector is desirable.

Knowledge and Skills 
•    A sound (or the capacity to quickly acquire) understanding of Fiji or Pacific development context. 
•    A professional attitude, awareness of the confidentiality requirements of the SG’s Office and demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and neutrality, in a sensitive environment. 
•    The ability to handle heavy workload, complete work accurately and according to strict timelines. 
•    Excellent communication (written and oral), diplomacy, stakeholder management and negotiation skills. 
•    Demonstrated personal commitment and success with building the capacity of a team, including mentoring, coaching and further professional development. 
•    Demonstrated conceptual thinking and problem-solving ability. 
•    Strong facilitation skills in working with multiple stakeholders. 
•    Delivering results and meeting GoF expectations. 
•    Strong presentation skills. 
•    Good PC skills / competent in the use of Word, Excel, and Power Point. 
 

Personal Attributes 
•    Patience, tolerance, resilience, flexibility, and a preparedness to work with limited resources within a challenging environment. 
•    Demonstrate cultural sensitivity. 
•    Strong interpersonal skills and the proven ability to quickly build and maintain strong relationships with people from varying backgrounds, levels, and experience. 
•    Willingness and enthusiasm to act as a champion for gender equality, disability and social inclusion and safeguarding including child protection and the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation Abuse and Harassment. 
 

How to apply

Applications close by midday on 21 November 2024.
Please apply online by submitting a cover letter addressing how you meet the requirements of this role and up-to-date comprehensive CV. 
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