Legal Draftsperson - ASIPJ

About the role

The Australia Solomon Islands Partnership for Justice (ASIPJ) is recruiting a Legal Draftsperson for the Legislative Drafting Division of the Attorney-General's Chambers in Honiara, Solomon Islands. The position reports to the Attorney-General and lasts up to 2 years. It leads the division, oversees the preparation of legislation supporting the government's legislative and reform agenda, and mentors and capacitates young aspiring legal drafters.

Key responsibilities

• Draft complex and urgent legislation to meet critical timelines.
• Develop a legislative plan for the division and supervise the allocation of drafting work.
• Run awareness programmes on the drafting process for public sector stakeholders such as ministries, state-owned enterprises and provincial governments.
• Present draft Bills to the Bills Legislative Committee and Cabinet.
• Lead initiatives to modernise legislative drafting, improve accessibility and strengthen legislative quality.
• Mentor and capacitate local legal drafters of the Attorney-General's Chambers.
• Undertake other directives of the Attorney-General and, as authorised, support the Attorney-General's constitutional role as Principal Legal Adviser.
• Contribute to ASIPJ monitoring, evaluation, research and learning, gender equality, disability and social inclusion, and staff professional development.

Required profile

• Tertiary qualification in law, with a higher post-graduate qualification in legislative drafting.
• Admitted as a barrister and solicitor in a common law country.
• At least 10 years' experience in legislative drafting, parliamentary counsel, law reform, government legal practice or a related legislative environment in a common law jurisdiction.
• Proven experience managing and mentoring legislative drafting counsel.
• Experience in a culturally diverse environment; knowledge of the Solomon Islands or Melanesian context and Tok Pisin, Bislama or Pijin is an advantage.

Required skills

• Good understanding of government administration, policy, Cabinet and parliamentary processes, including Standing Orders of Parliament.
• Plain English drafting experience.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with a wide range of stakeholders, including remotely.

Applications close 13 November 2026 and must include a cover letter, a CV and contact details for three referees.