Legal Draftsperson - ASIPJ

Position Description

Program: Australia Solomon Islands Partnership for Justice (ASIPJ)
Location: Honiara, Solomon Islands
Reports to: The Attorney-General, Solomon Islands
Term: Up to 2 Years

Background

The Government of Solomon Islands (SIG) is committed to strengthening the rule of law, good governance, and effective public administration through a capable and independent legal system. The Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) plays a central role in providing legal advice to the Government, supporting legislative development, representing the State in legal proceedings, and ensuring that government actions are consistent with the Constitution and laws of Solomon Islands.

As Solomon Islands continues to address increasingly complex constitutional, administrative, legislative, and public law matters, the Government is seeking to appoint a highly experienced legal drafter to the position of Legal Draftsperson. The Legal Draftsperson will lead the Legislative Drafting Division in the Attorney-General’s Chambers.

This position is supported through the Australia Solomon Islands Partnership for Justice (ASIPJ).

Role Dimensions

Overview

The Legislative Drafting Division (LDD) of the Attorney-General’s Chambers provides legislative drafting services to the Solomon Islands Government (SIG).

The Legal Draftsperson occupies an in-line SIG position. The Legal Draftsperson is responsible for leading the Legislative Drafting Division and overseeing the preparation of legislation that supports the Government’s legislative and reform agendas while at the same time ensuring young aspiring legal drafters are mentored and capacitated.

The Legal Draftsperson will assist the Attorney-General to discharge that role’s constitutional functions as the Principal Legal Adviser to the Solomon Islands Government.

The position plays a critical role in shaping the legal framework of Solomon Islands by translating government policy into clear, effective and accessible legislation.

The position holder is required to ensure provision of draft legislation and provide associated legal advice to Cabinet, Ministries, and other government agencies (including the Honiara City Council and Provincial Governments) within reasonable timeframes.

Responsibilities

• Draft complex and urgent legislation to meet critical timelines.

• Develop a legislative plan for the LDD and supervise the allocation of drafting work.

• Conduct awareness programs on the LDD Drafting Process for key public sector stakeholders and clients such as Constitutional Public Officers, Government Ministries, State Owned Enterprises and Provincial Governments.

• Attend the Bills Legislative Committee and Cabinet to explain draft Bills.

• Lead initiatives to modernise legislative drafting practices, improve legislative accessibility and strengthen legislative quality across government.

• Mentor and capacitate local legal drafters of the AGC to build confidence and competence.

• Undertake other directives issued by the Attorney-General.

Key Deliverables

The incumbent of this position will have their performance assessed according to the following key deliverables:

• Working autonomously, produce quality legislation that is suitable for Solomon Islands, complies with government requirements and meets specified deadlines.

• Mentor, coach and develop national legislative drafting counsel to build sustainable legislative drafting capability within Solomon Islands.

• Support development of modern legislative drafting systems, electronic legislation management and publication processes.

• As authorised, support the Attorney-General in efficiently addressing the legislative drafting required by the Solomon Islands Government.

• Undertake other duties assigned by the Attorney-General.

Other

The Legal Draftsperson may be required to contribute to ASIPJ activities as directed by the Team Leader ASIPJ, and as agreed with the Attorney-General.

This will likely include inputs on ASIPJ monitoring, evaluation, research and learning; gender equality, disability and social inclusion; and professional development for LDD staff.

Reporting and Performance Management

Day-to-day supervision of the Legal Draftsperson will be undertaken by the Attorney-General.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications in law, with a higher post-graduate qualification in Legislative Drafting.

• Admitted as a barrister and solicitor in a common law country.

Key Skills, Experience and Personal Qualities

• At least 10 years’ experience in legislative drafting, parliamentary counsel services, law reform, government legal practice, or a related legislative environment in a common law jurisdiction.

• A good understanding of government administration, areas of government business, policy processes, Cabinet and parliamentary processes, including Standing Orders of Parliament.

• Plain English drafting experience.

• Proven experience in managing and mentoring legislative drafting counsel with a demonstrated personal commitment to building the capacity of a legislative drafting office and the professional development of individual legislative drafters.

• Experience working in a culturally diverse environment and understanding the impact that has on communication and language usage.

• Sound personal, professional and ethical standards and strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate with a wide variety of stakeholders, including cross-culturally and remotely.

• Understanding of Solomon Islands and/or the Melanesian development context will be an advantage, as will Tok Pisin, Bislama or Pijin language skills.

How to Apply

Applications should be submitted via the Recruitee link before 13 November 2026 at 11:59 pm Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST).

Applications should include:

• A cover letter of no more than two pages addressing the position selection criteria.

• A CV of no more than four pages.

• Contact details of three professional referees.

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact the ASIPJ Country Program Manager:

Email: Keith.Bates@asipj.com.sb
Phone: +677 26530 / 21442