Legal Drafter

Instructions to Applicants: Click on the “Apply now” button. Input your information in the appropriate Sections: personal information, language proficiency, education, resume and motivation. Upon completion of the first page, please hit “submit application” tab at the end of the page. Please ensure that CV or P11 and the Cover letter are combined in one file.

Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.

A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.

Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as  reports, presentations, publications, campaigns or other materials.

Travel: 

a) UNDP will cover the cost of travel of the individual to the duty station, as well as their return to their home upon completion of their services. Travel costs are covered only in the event that the function will be undertaken physically in the duty station and excludes working from home arrangements.

b) Include any official travel expected to be associated with performing the functions.

Office/Unit/Project Description 

On January 28th, 2021, the Parliament of Nauru enacted the Parliamentary Service Act 2020 and will come into force with effect from 01 July 2021.The enactment of the legislation is a key feature of strengthening the capacity of the Nauru Parliament to effectively undertake its legislative, oversight and representative roles.

The objectives of the Parliamentary Service Act 2020 are to:

• facilitate the separation of powers of the Legislature and the constitutional autonomy of the Parliament as a branch of the Government.
• provide administrative and functional efficiency of the services provided for the operations of the Parliament;
• provide a framework for the employment, leadership and management of employees of the Office and for the good governance of the administration of the Parliament; and
• provide for the financial and budgetary mechanisms for Parliamentary purposes.

The recently enacted legislation follows on from the support provided by UNDP Pacific Office since 2018 to the Parliament of Nauru, to consider options for achieving the realisation of Parliamentary autonomy. To support the Parliament of Nauru in its preparation for the implementation of the Parliamentary Service Act 2020, the UNDP Pacific Office, under the Nauru Inclusive and Accountable Governance Project, is supplementing the capacities of the Office of Parliamentary Services, with staff from other parliaments (called the Transition team) in the pacific region as part of the interparliamentary cooperation to assist with the planning and implementation of activities for achieving the realisation of the Parliamentary Service Act 2020.

In this regard, UNDP is seeking to recruit an experienced legal drafter, to be part of the Transition Team to assist the Parliament of Nauru draft and undertake legal reviews of regulations, determinations and other instruments necessary to fulfil the vision and support the implementation of the Parliamentary Service Act 2020. The Legal Drafter is expected to work closely with the Speaker of the Nauru Parliament, the Clerk of the Nauru Parliament, and in consultation with the Transition Team when executing this consultancy.

Scope of Work

• Based on the instructions of the Speaker of the Nauru Parliament, the Clerk of the Nauru Parliament and in consultation with the transition Team, draft regulations, determinations delegations, agreements and other instruments necessary to fulfil the vision and support the implementation of the Parliamentary Service Act 2020;
• Undertake legal review of regulations, determinations delegations, agreements and other instruments drafted by the Ministry of Justice;
• Liaises with the Transition Team, with the various Ministries or other appropriate body for proper instructions and clarification of instructions;
• Advises the Transition Team on the appropriate instruments and issues relating to the transfer of assets and property from the Government to the Office;
• Attends meetings (virtual) with the Transition Team with various Ministries or other appropriate bodies to discuss legal issues and draft-related issues in order to formulate new regulations, determinations and other instruments;
• Working with the Transition Team undertakes research to determine the impact of existing laws on proposed regulations, determinations and other instruments;
• Prepares regular reports on work in progress.

• Performs such other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Clerk of the Nauru parliament.         

Desired additional skills and competencies

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills;
• Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities skills;
• Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;
• Ability to plan, organize, implement and report on work;
• Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines;
• Comprehensiveness knowledge of development topics;
• Proficiency in the use of office IT applications and internet in conducting research;
• Outstanding communication, and organizational skills;
• Excellent presentation and facilitation skills.
• Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards;
• Positive, constructive attitude to work;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.