Non-Communicable Disease Adviser – Legislation

**Description**

The **Pacific Community (SPC)** is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, supporting development since 1947. We are an international development organisation owned and governed by our 27 country and territory members. In pursuit of sustainable development to benefit Pacific people, our organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, public health, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

The **Public Health Division (PHD)** employs around 40 staff based in Noumea and Suva. It supports members in developing healthier Pacific Island people and communities. The primary focus of the division is to provide scientific and technical assistance and to support the implementation of plans and programmes in member countries and territories. The primary goal for all PHD activities is to promote population health and well-being, prevent diseases, restore and/or maintain health and reduce inequalities in health.

PHD is primarily concerned with improving and protecting public (population) health, rather than individual treatment services.

The role – **Non-Communicable Disease Adviser – Legislation** will lead in strengthening NCD related legislation to effectively address NCD at the regional and national level, with a particular focus on key NCD risk factors (including tobacco and alcohol use, and consumption of unhealthy foods and beverages) through providing legislative drafting support, developing supporting materials related to legislation, building capacity, and providing legal advice for implementation and enforcement in collaboration with the respective government ministries.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

**Lead in strengthening NCD related legislation to effectively address NCD at the regional and national level, with a particular focus on key NCD risk factors including tobacco and alcohol use, and consumption of unhealthy foods and beverages**

- Lead as responsible person from SPC to support regional initiatives and establish network to strengthen NCD related legislation.
- Lead in supporting PICTs in conducting legislation gap analysis and legislation priorities identified in the Pacific Monitoring Alliance for NCD Action (MANA) Dashboards.
- Lead in drafting new NCD related legislation or amending existing legislation in line with the Pacific Legislative Framework for NCD and/or related Frameworks.
- Work closely with relevant government ministries in developing and drafting NCD related legislations (e.g., Attorney General’s office or Parliamentary Counsel)

**Lead in developing supporting materials to strengthen the implementation of the Pacific Legislative Framework for NCD and/or related Legal Framework, including explanatory memorandum and cabinet paper for the legislation.**

- Lead in developing materials including explanatory memorandum, legislation implementation plan and cabinet paper for the draft legislation.
- Provide advice and support PICTs in submission of draft legislation or regulation for cabinet endorsement.
- Identify gaps in the Pacific Legislative Framework for NCD and refine/expand the Framework with any emerging priority issues raised by PICTs, in collaboration with partner agencies and academic institutions.

**Provide legal advice and support for the implementation and enforcement of legislation in collaboration with respective government ministries.**

- Provide legal advice to the responsible PICTs ministries for the implementation and enforcement of the endorsed legislation.
- Collaborate and work with relevant government ministers and private sectors for the implementation of the endorsed legislation.
- Provide legal advice and support for any issues or problems arising from the implementation and enforcement of legislation.

**Contribute to build capacity to strengthen the development and implementation of legislation at the national and regional level.**

- Contribute to the assessment of regional and in-country legal capacities to address NCD.
- Provide training, mentoring and professional support to PICTs on legislative drafting.
- Liaise with relevant academic institutions or partner agencies to identify professional development opportunities for PICTs.

**Contribute as an active member of the NCD team for programme planning, reporting, information sharing and publication.**

- Contribute to annual work plan development, budgeting, and funding application.
- Monitor to meet work plan target indicators and evaluate outcomes.
- Contribute to NCD information, education, and communication resources development, updating websites, and publications of technical reports and scientific papers.
- Promote harmonization of NCD activities by building partnerships, sharing information and networking.
- Assist NCD Team Leader as required.

For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, p