As a key member of the management team, the Legal Manager reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer and plays a strategic role in overseeing legal matters and challenges faced by the PNGAIC. The successful candidate will lead the legal function in alignment with ICAO standards, governance frameworks, and transport safety regulations. Additionally, the Legal Manager provides secretariat support to the AIC Board, contributing to the Commission’s overall governance and decision-making processes.

Key Accountabilities:

  • Provide timely, clear and authoritative legal advice to the CEO, AIC Board and management on aviation safety, corporate governance, administrative law, contracts, and multi‑modal transport investigation frameworks.
  • Researching and analysing statutes, decisions, legal articles, and providing professional written and oral legal advice to AIC Board, managers, and officers.
  • Lead the drafting and revision of Bills, Regulations, Rules, Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and other statutory instruments to support AIC mandates and ICAO compliance.
  • Liaise with the Department of Justice & Attorney‑General, State Solicitor’s Office, Department of Transport and other stakeholders on legislative amendments and regulatory proposals.
  • Represent the AIC before administrative tribunals, arbitration panels, National Court and Supreme Court in all legal proceedings.
  • Serve as Secretary to the AIC Board: prepare agendas, draft minutes, monitor action items, and ensure compliance with statutory requirements and corporate standards.
  • Advise on Board governance frameworks, conflict of interest policies and risk‑management protocols.
  • Lead, mentor and supervise any legal or governance staff; manage workload allocation, performance reviews and professional development.
  • Oversee the Commission’s legal compliance program in relation to PNG legislation, international aviation standards (ICAO), and emerging multi‑modal transport investigation obligations.
  • Provide legal guidance throughout the lifecycle of aircraft accident and serious incident investigations, including evidence protection, data privacy, and stakeholder communications.
  • Draft legal guidance notes and internal policies to uphold the AIC’s “no‑blame” and “independent/objective” principles.
  • Advise on corporate matters: procurement, contracts, intellectual property, human resources, ICT and financial management.
  • Ensure all Commission operations comply with public service regulations and PNG statutory requirements.

Minimum Qualification/Requirements:

  • Bachelor of Laws Degree with more than 7 years post-admission with leadership/strategic advisory experience, and a registered member of PNG Law Society.
  • Demonstrated ability to represent the AIC at meetings, conferences and other forums, making speeches and presentations on relevant topics.
  • Demonstrated interpersonal skills of a high order, having a cooperative and supportive attitude and ability to learn and work as an individual or as a member of a multi-disciplinary team. Ability to liaise with a variety of individuals and organisational representatives from differing cultural backgrounds.
  • Competent user of Microsoft Office suite and legal research databases.

Application Submission Details

Full details of salary, conditions of employment, and job descriptions will be provided during the interview.

Please forward your written applications including relevant certificates together with recent updated CVs to:

The Chief Executive Officer

PNG Accident Investigation Commission

P O Box 1709, BOROKO,  111 NCD

or via email: jobs@aic.gov.pg 

 

NOTE: Only Short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview. If you do not hear from us within two weeks from the closing date of application, then you may consider your application unsuccessful.

Applications close on 20th August 2025.

Position
1
Location
Port Moresby
Department
Corporate