Abuti Kevin gives a presentation on how she plans to apply her learning.
Coaching and Developing Others participants pose with their certificates and Australian High Commission First Secretary Zabeta Moutafis.
Courageous leader: Mildred Were addresses the course facilitator and participants.
Vicky Puipui is ready to get the most of her team.
More than 30 senior public sector leaders have completed executive leadership programs in Port Moresby over the past two weeks, coming away with practical skills and knowledge to build teams that are motivated to achieve collective goals for PNG.
The ‘Building High Performing Teams’ and ‘Coaching and Developing Others’ courses were a collaboration between the Department of Personnel Management and the Australian Public Service Commission.
The three-day courses were supported by the PNG-Australia Partnership, through the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct, and recognise that strong public service leaders – women and men working collectively – are vital to service delivery and policy development.
Vicky Puipui, a participant of this recent short course program said she was privileged to attend because the training has broadened her knowledge of coaching and mentoring to fully support various staff needs at work.
“This training is very important for all the managers within the public service machinery, because we are dealing with human beings and we are all different,” Ms Puipui said.
“It’s like a check and balance for me – the training was very beneficial and I’ve learnt new things – new interventions in this course.
“I learnt about the application of coaching, communication and especially listening skills.”
Vicky Puipui entered the public service 30 years ago as a keyboard operator with the Office of Library and Archives and is now the Assistant Director – Public Records Management.
More than 120 public service leaders have completed short courses delivered by the Department of Personnel Management and the Australian Public Services Commission since 2018.
This recent training on ‘Building High Performing Teams’ is aimed at developing managerial leadership skills that can boost team performance and achieve positive team outcomes.
The Precinct is a partnership between PNG and Australia that is supporting the development of ethical, capable and inclusive public sector leaders.
A group of emerging public sector leaders celebrated the completion of the Certificate IV in Leadership and Management at the Business Coalition for Women (BCfW) graduation ceremony in August.
The eight public servants were supported to undertake the program by the PNG-Australia Partnership through the Precinct.
The course saw participants learn alongside private sector peers.
Among the graduates was Shirley Kangol Albert, internal inspector with the Department of Works.
She said it provided practical lessons on professionalism, networking and behaviour-styles.
Ms Albert believed the program helped her and her team coordinate and prepare for PNG’s APEC year and the successful hosting of agricultural meetings with help and mentoring from her team coordinators.
“Those acquired skills will raise performance when participants apply them or are given opportunities to apply them,” she said.
“The skills will also inspire them to become change agents to confidently work alongside men within their organisations by offering solutions.
“They can suggest better and effective ways to get things done to achieve their organisation’s goals.”
The Certificate IV in Leadership and Management was delivered over six months.
It provided participants with targeted, competency-based training that prepared them for leadership and management roles.
It provided participants with targeted, competency-based training that prepared them for leadership and management roles.
Ilikomau Ali applies PNG’s Leadership Capability Framework to her coursework.
A group of Papua New Guinea’s top public servants believe they can empower teams to reach their full potential following the completion of a high-level executive program.
Twenty participants took part in the Building High-Performing Teams short course to develop their managerial leadership skills and elevate team performance in the public sector.
The course was a collaboration between the Department of Personnel Management and the Australian Public Service Commission, and supported by the PNG-Australia Partnership.
Among the participants was Office of Censorship executive manager Ilikomau Ali.
“As leaders, our role is critical in serving the people of this country with effectiveness and efficiency,” Ms Ali said.
“We need a team that is equipped with positive attitudes, the right values and good characters in order to drive the public services and goods to the people.
“I have identified my potential to be an active leader, which is central to developing a team of employees who should have the drive, focus, energy and capability to communicate and deliver the strategic plan of the organisation.”
The course was guided by the PNG Government’s public service Leadership Capability Framework and Gender Equity and Social Inclusion Policy.
Ms Ali said it enabled women to be respected and seen as equal partners in the workforce.
“The PNG public service is creating equal opportunities for women and training of this level will pave the way for more women to be promoted to higher levels in decision-making processes.”
Since 2018, more than 60 public servants have completed Building High-Performing Teams and the complementary course Coaching and Developing Others. Women represented 42 per cent of all participants.
Participants celebrate the completion of the 2019 Future Leaders Program with PNG and Australian Government representatives.
More than 70 high-potential public servants from across
Papua New Guinea have completed the Future Leaders Program.
The group of emerging leaders were awarded certificates at a
ceremony in Port Moresby on Friday (eds. 29 November).
The ceremony featured remarks by Taies Sansan, Acting Department of Personnel Management Secretary, and Andrew Egan, Australian High Commission Minister Counsellor.
Nancy Yaman is presented with her completion certificate by Australian High Commission Minister Counsellor Andrew Egan.
The Future Leaders Program provides vocational training that
is tailor-made for Papua New Guinea’s public sector, offering a pathway for
public servants to make the step up to decision-making positions.
It is centred on the development of core skills for the
public service, including leadership capabilities, strategic thinking and
policy development.
Though the 2019 courses were run in Port Moresby, more than
two-thirds of course participants were from provincial and district agencies.
It is also underpinned by the principles of gender equity,
social inclusion and values-based leadership. More than 200 public servants
have now completed the program since 2017 and over 50 per cent were women.
The nine-month program included workplace projects – a key
component of the program that encourages each participant to their classroom
learning to the work environment and make positive change within their
organisations.
The Future Leaders Program is a key component of the Pacific
Leadership and Governance Precinct – a partnership between Papua New Guinea and
Australia that is supporting the development of ethical, capable and inclusive
public sector leaders.
With 25 years’ of health sector experience Galeva Sere knows how important operations are to a functional hospital.
The surgical facemasks permanently affixed to staff on the wards at Daru General Hospital are a constant reminder that they are at the epicentre of the fight against tuberculosis (TB).
With nearly three decades of experience in the health sector, Galeva Sere understands all too well that keeping a hospital running smoothly is a matter of life and death.
In 2017, Galeva took on the position of corporate services director at the hospital. It was her first foray in to management and, having spent 25 years’ on the clinical side of the sector, she knows how important operations are to a functional hospital.
“It’s very challenging work,” Galeva said, “The staff have different responsibilities and different levels of experience – some are still learning.”
“Previously the hospital functioned at the level of a health centre, but things changed because of the TB – there were more patients and a greater demand for doctors.
“We have to make sure the standards at the hospital are kept up and that doctors have all the materials they need.”
Galeva’s areas of responsibility include human resources, accounts and budgeting, maintenance, transport, security and hygiene – all central to keeping the hospital operational, and ensuring the safety of patients and staff.
Her appointment was part of a process of revitalisation, led by Chief Executive Officer Orpah Tugo, which has seen the facility upgraded to a level five hospital.
The number of staff tripled under the new structure and Galeva, with ever increasing responsibilities thrust upon her, was selected to take part in the Future Leaders Program to support her professional growth.
The Future Leaders Program was launched in 2017 as part of the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct and is specifically designed to strengthen the core skills of emerging public sector leaders.
Galeva felt her participation was timely and provided an opportunity to develop her leadership capabilities, strategic thinking and policy development skills.
“The Future Leaders Program gave us light on how to manage our areas and be responsible for our duties,” she said.
“It was very helpful and very challenging. We enhanced our skillsets and were given tools to be more competent and thoughtful in addressing issues.”
The nine-month program is supported by the Papua New Guinea – Australia Partnership and Galeva attended three intensive training blocks in Port Moresby, which were run by the University of Queensland and local training partners.
On each trip to the nation’s capital she undertook coursework and, perhaps as important, shared experiences and collaborated with public sector peers from around the country.
Public servants from the health sector have represented nearly half of all Future Leaders Program (FLP) participants. The majority of Galeva’s FLP peers were from health sector agencies in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, East New Britain, East Sepik, Madang, Manus, Milne Bay, New Ireland, Southern Highlands, West New Britain, Western and Western Highlands.
“There were opportunities to meet others and exchange ideas – this included having lecturers that came from different disciplines, departments and countries – I learned so much in there.”
“I also learned about the importance of networking and partnerships – in terms of sharing ideas, knowledge and skills.
“Working together, we improved our ways of planning strategically, managing projects and dealing with stakeholders.”
As part of the FLP, participants were also tasked to create their own projects to apply back at their workplaces and create positive change within their organisations.
Operations staff, such as hygienists and cleaners, are vital for keeping the hospital environment clean and safe for employees and patients.
Galeva immediately saw the opportunity to ensure the clinical risks related to infection control at Daru General Hospital were being addressed – a topic particularly pertinent given the very real TB threat faced each day by hospital staff.
“My workplace project is to ensure that critical risks related to infection control are properly addressed and managed at Daru General Hospital,” Galeva said.
“I have to implement risk management – improving the quality of patient care and the well-being of our staff.
“I drafted a TB policy that has been circulated for input and improvement from a variety of stakeholders, including the Department of Health. That’s something that we are happy has taken place.”
The infectious nature of TB and the severe consequences of contraction mean that cleaning and hygiene are vital at Daru General Hospital.
“When it comes to risk it’s not just about clinical staff – it’s about the hygienists too – and that’s my area of responsibility,” she continued.
“It’s all about detail – they need to know how to clean the wards and even wear appropriate attire.”
The way Galeva engages with staff is different now. She’s more patient and encourages them to see the bigger picture.
“They are important and have a role to play in the hospital,” she said. “We have to make sure there is safety in the environment. We are moving faster and being more creative and innovative in our ideas.
“The staff now know what is required of them and can see the positive results. They are taking ownership – it’s their workplace, their hospital and their people.”
Galeva believes the Future Leaders Program enabled her to work more effectively as a manager and be an inspiration as a leader in the fight against TB.
Daru is one of the highest TB burden areas in Papua New Guinea and cases of the extremely-drug resistant TB have also been diagnosed in this area; around 500 new cases are detected each year. TB patients require medication for almost two years.
The Australian government through the Papua New Guinea-Australia partnership has supported improved treatment in Western Province through the establishment of five outreach posts on Daru Island to improve community-based treatment in South Fly and also in Middle Fly.
This improved community-based treatment has seen an increase in the number of people completing their treatment – from around 65 per cent in 2014 to 99 per cent in 2018.
Australia is committed to working with the PNG Government in its response to TB in Western Province and the rest of PNG.
Cathy Sowi is putting her learning in to practice as a Future Leaders Program graduate.
Cathy Sowi’s career has revolved around creating better opportunities for children living with disabilities.
The 42-year old from Kubalia in East Sepik Province is single-minded in her determination to create better opportunities for kids across Papua New Guinea, especially those living with disabilities, a journey she began as a primary school teacher specialised in disability services.
She taught for four years before joining the special education sector to work at resource centres in Wewak, Goroka and Port Moresby, assisting firsthand with the challenges faced by children living with disabilities.
While tutoring special education courses in the Highlands, she took up a Bachelor of Education at the University of Goroka and graduated in 2015, which led to an opportunity to join the National Inclusive Education Unit at the Department of Education in Port Moresby.
Cathy’s role is to improve teacher training and enhance the education of young people with disabilities – ensuring teachers in resource centres receive training they need to fully support children aged 3-12 attain standard basic education. Cathy also works with teachers at all levels of education to improve inclusive education for students.
“I believe it’s the best decision I’ve made because from where I’m sitting now my reach is wider,” Cathy said.
“It’s fun working with children and seeing learning take place. This gives me job satisfaction.”
Cathy now supports resource centres working with children living with disabilities, including four in the National Capital District and 19 in regional areas around the country. The centres ensure teachers are well resourced and trained to deliver basic education to these children.
Her dedication didn’t go unnoticed and in 2018 she was selected to participate in the Future Leaders Program through the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct – a partnership between Papua New Guinea and Australia that is supporting the development of ethical, capable leaders.
The Future Leaders Program provides training that is vocational, tailor-made for Papua New Guinea’s public sector and offers a pathway for public servants to make the step up to decision making positions.
Cathy believes the intensive program, which was delivered over a nine-month period, boosted her ongoing work with resource centres to provide more inclusive access to education.
“The Future Leaders Program has been very enriching for me,” she said.
“It has enhanced the way I network and work with stakeholders for more impact.”
A critical component of the Future Leaders Program is a major project that requires participants to apply their learning in the workplace, bringing benefits to both individual and organisation.
Cathy used this opportunity to assess inclusive education programs implemented by three primary schools in the National Capital District and was able to secure 23 Elementary Standard Based Curriculum (SBC) kits for resource centres around the country. This included making links with colleagues in the Curriculum Development Unit and service providers after presenting at a workshop with inclusive education teachers.
“All our resource centres now have SBC kits. This is already a positive step because our teachers are teaching the same curriculum the Department has developed,” she said.
“We are now assisting with teaching and learning materials, teaching strategies and training our teachers on how they can modify and adapt the contents of the SBC kits to suit the needs of the children with disabilities.
“I’m not hoping for big things to happen overnight. I’m happy because I love what I’m doing – it’s part of my job and I can already see improvements taking place at a small-scale and that’s the way to go.”
With the successful completion of her project Cathy showed how to put course theory in to practice.
She is one of 132 public servants who have completed the Future Leaders Program since it was launched in 2017. Women have represented more than half of this number and two-thirds of participants were from provincial and district levels.
The challenging and engaging course program comprised of skills-based training, peer-to-peer learning, participatory exercises, class discussions and academic course work – all aimed at strengthening core public service skills, including leadership capabilities, strategic thinking and policy development.
Training was only part of the program and, as with all Precinct activities, it encouraged the sharing of experiences, networking and collaboration.
The Future Leaders Program is run as collaboration between Precinct partners: the Pacific Institute of Leadership and Governance, the University of Papua New Guinea’s School of Business and Public Policy and the University of Queensland, and with guidance from the Department of Personnel Management.
It is also underpinned by key PNG Government policies – the Ethics and Values-Based Executive Leadership and Management Capability Framework, and the Gender Equity and Social Inclusion Policy.
Cathy and several other Future Leaders Program participants from the Department of Education have planned to conduct in-house training for staff on the principles ingrained in these policies, sharing their learning within the organisation.
“Am I honest, accountable, respectful, responsible, and am I using my wisdom? Do I act with integrity?” Cathy said, rhetorically echoing the Leadership Capability Framework.
“Coaching and mentoring are very helpful, and I found the six key leadership values challenging. These lessons have helped me a lot,” said Cathy.
Cathy’s drive, perseverance and leadership will see further improvements to inclusive educational practices in Papua New Guinea.
No matter the challenges that come with her role, Cathy believes she is in the right spot and doesn’t plan to stop moving forward now.
Future leader: Rayleen Wally from the East Sepik Provincial Health Authority.
Emerging public service leaders have commenced a nine-month leadership training program that will ready them to step-up as decision-makers.
The first group of Future Leaders Program participants for 2019 began training on 25 February to develop core public service skills – including leadership capabilities, strategic thinking and policy development.
The Future Leaders Program is part of the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct, a partnership between Papua New Guinea and Australia to support the development of ethical, capable leaders.
It is led by the Department of Personnel Management and Acting Secretary Taies Sansan said the Future Leaders Program was designed specifically for up and coming public sector leaders in PNG.
“We are empowering emerging leaders from all over Papua New Guinea with the tools they need to make a difference for the country,” Ms Sansan said.
“The Future Leaders Program is underpinned by the principles of ethical leadership, gender equity and social inclusion. Participants are selected because they have demonstrated commitment to these values and shown potential as leaders.
“The course is intense and graduates from previous years are now reaping the rewards by applying their learning back in their organisations.”
Since 2017, the Future Leaders Program has been completed by 132 public servants, with two-thirds from the provincial and district levels.
One of the past participants was Rayleen Wally, an accounts examiner with the East Sepik Provincial Health Authority, who said the course was very timely for her as a young public servant still finding her voice.
“To be good, productive public servants – assets in the public sector – we have to face challenges and overcome difficult situations.”
“This course has taught me how to change behaviors, attitudes and practices – how to work cooperatively, achieve the organization’s goals and contribute to the country as a whole.
“The Future Leaders Program is based on ethical values and principles in the workplace. We need to uphold those values for a better public sector workforce and service delivery to the people.”
All participants in the current course work in the health sector, including public servants from both provincial offices and central agencies in Port Moresby.
The Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct course on public speaking and speech writing skills is aimed at upskilling public servants and has been delivered in Port Moresby, Kokopo and Vanimo.Over 200 public servants have benefitted from this course since its commencement in June 2017, with over 40 per cent of participants from the provinces.Recently, 52 participants completed this course and are looking forward to putting to use what they have learnt.Watch the video interview
The Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct course on public speaking and speech writing skills is aimed at upskilling public servants and has been delivered in Port Moresby, Kokopo and Vanimo.
Over 200 public servants have benefitted from this course since its commencement in June 2017, with over 40 per cent of participants from the provinces.
Recently, 52 participants completed this course and are looking forward to putting to use what they have learnt.
Sr Ekaloa Rita Mefaramu is confident the course will enable her to better implement health policies and achieve better outcomes in Gulf Province.
More than 70 public servants from throughout Papua New Guinea have boosted their speechmaking and speech writing abilities, key skills for public sector leaders who can inspire, motivate and improve service delivery.
The Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct’s Public Speaking and Speech Writing course was held last month in Port Moresby and Vanimo, and included participants from central and provincial government agencies.
Sr Ekaloa Rita Mefaramu, Public and Rural Health Extension Services Coordinator at Kerema Hospital in Gulf Province, said the course advanced her skills and confidence.
“We’re able to speak with confidence to the public and tell them the importance of the policies that are in place,” she said.
“When I return back to my province I know that I can speak without fear and without hesitation.
“As a health professional working to improve the health indicators in Gulf Province, this course will help me to implement policies more meaningfully, and achieve the desired results and expectations.”
Ivan Kila, Principle Strategy Officer at the Department of Treasury, said public speaking and speech writing are crucial components of his role.
“It’s something that we do almost every day,” he said, “it’s good to learn that there are templates that have been proven and I can take back to be more effective in my job.”
“For the Treasury Department the vision is to bring services down to the most remote areas.
“It’s really exciting to be part of what’s going on – creating new networks for the betterment of our country.”
The course was led by Australian public relations expert Toby Ralph, and supported by PNG Toastmasters Division Director Monica Toisenegila and by University of Papua New Guinea law lecturer Tapora Isorua.
Teaching was centred on advanced communication skills in public relations and media management, and presenting information clearly in both oral and written form.
The course also focused on knowing one’s audience, writing persuasively, and communicating with influence to convey critical information and motivate action.
The Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct is a partnership between Papua New Guinea and Australia that contributes to the development of public sector leaders who are ethical, capable and can deliver improved services for their communities.
Public servants have, for the first time, joined their private sector counterparts at an intensive program for emerging women leaders, honing their leadership skills to contribute to a more inclusive Papua New Guinea.
The Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct has supported eight women to participate in the Business Coalition for Women’s Certificate IV in Leadership and Management, which is designed to prepare high-potential employees for management roles.
Lesieli Taviri, Chair of the Business Coalition for Women (BCFW), said involvement of women in any decision-making capacity across sectors and the community promotes more inclusive nation-building.
“Higher levels of female participation are closely linked with improved organisational performance,” Ms Taviri said.
“The BCFW leadership program provides targeted training suited for PNG women in the PNG environment and that’s what makes it unique.”
“The diversity of participation from all sectors encourages a wider and more dynamic scope of learning. This exposure benefits the participants; it helps to enhance their thinking and challenges them to apply their learning.”
Priscilla Mais is one of eight public servants working side-by-side with their private sector peers.
Priscilla Mais, Acting Executive Director at the Department of Education, was one of the public servants who commenced the Certificate in March and said the program has boosted her confidence and changed her approach to management.
“I feel empowered and invigorated in my role as a manager, as a team player and as a public servant,” she said.
“Knowing ourselves, our strengths and weaknesses, and how we present ourselves as leaders are all important.”
“The course made me realise that all views are important for a team to work effectively. As leaders, we must be open minded, be open to criticism and be ready to accept different views from different people.”
Ms Mais has led the Department of Education’s Project Management Unit since it was established and wants to work with her team to come up with creative ideas on how to improve the Department, specifically in delivering school infrastructure.
She said the training provided insights in to how small changes can make a large impact on professional and personal development.
“This training has helped me to improve many things which I took for granted,” Ms Mais said.
“Simple things which we do not always see as significant contribute to an effective working environment and, in the end, improved service delivery. This includes courteous telephone manners, being conscious of ethics and codes of conduct, responding positively to clients and listening to views from subordinates.”
“We tend to ignore the small things, but I now see that these small things help us to achieve what we want to achieve – at our workplace and in our personal life.”
The Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct is a partnership between Papua New Guinea and Australia that supports the development of ethical, capable public sector leaders.
The Business Coalition for Women is a group of companies who are working together to drive positive change for women and businesses in Papua New Guinea.
Public servants should refer to Circular Instruction Number (19/2018)
Applications are now open to public servants in the National and Provincial Governments for the Future Leaders Program, through the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct, which will commence in February 2019.
The Precinct is a partnership between Papua New Guinea and Australia that is supporting the development of ethical, capable public sector leaders.
The Future Leaders Program offers leadership training that is tailor-made for the Papua New Guinea public sector and includes:
the opportunity to strengthen core public service skills, including leadership capabilities, strategic thinking and policy development;
a challenging and engaging course program, with a combination of skills-based training, peer-to-peer learning, participatory exercises, class discussions, academic course work and applied workplace projects; and
a fully-funded, nine-month program with 3 x two-week residential learning blocks at the Pacific Institute of Leadership and Governance in Port Moresby.
For further information and application forms, please contact the Department of Personnel Management (DPM) through:
Mr Vele Ravugamini, Executive Manager – Executive Leadership Development Division –
Phone: 327 6326 | Email: ravugamini_vele@dpm.gov.pg
Ms Junelyn Veratau, Executive Leadership Development Officer –
Phone: 327 6407 | Email: junelyn_veratau@dpm.gov.pg
Public servants should refer to Circular Instruction No. 19 of 2018. Completed application forms and relevant documentation must be provided to DPM by close of business on Wednesday 31 October 2018. Late applications will not be accepted.
If there are difficulties submitting your application, you can also send it to courses@pslrpng.org
Selection criteria:
Applicants must be permanent public servants occupying positions from Grades 10 – 14 from the Provinces and Grade 15 – 16 at the National level.
Have five years of relevant work experience, including mid–level management experience.
Recommended and supported by their agency heads to attend the program.
Have demonstrated leadership skills.
Possess a minimum of Grade 10 or Equivalent High School Qualification.
Grade 12 or equivalent High School Qualification desirable.
Required documentation:
Completed application forms.
Copy of Curriculum Vitae (CV) detailing duties and responsibilities, demonstrating 5 years of relevant work experience including mid-level management experience.
Certified copies of academic certificates and transcript for all previous high school and university studies.
A letter of recommendation from their agency head.
Applications that do not include the required documentation will not be considered.
Nominations are now open for the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct’s Public Speaking and Speechwriting short courses, which will be held in Port Moresby from 20 – 22 June 2018 and Vanimo 25 – 27 June 2018.
This executive leadership short course is designed to enhance the public speaking and speechwriting skills of public sector leaders (Grades 14 and above), building your capacity to convey critical information and motivate action.
Practical sessions will give participants the skills and tools to craft and deliver compelling speeches to motivate and inspire, which include:
Planning
Writing messages
Anticipating responses
Rehearsing
Refining
Speech delivery
Nominations close 30 April 2018. For further information and application forms, please contact the Department of Personnel Management through:
Mr Vele Ravugamini, Executive Manager – Executive Leadership Development Division Phone: 327 6326 or Email: ravugamini_vele@dpm.gov.pg
Ms Junelyn Veratau, Senior Executive Leadership Development Officer Phone: 327 6407 or Email: junelyn_veratau@dpm.gov.pg
Nominations are now open for the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct’s Inclusive Strategic Leadership short courses, which will be held in Port Moresby from 25 – 27 April 2018 and Goroka from 30 April – 2 May 2018.
This executive leadership short course is specifically tailored to current public sector middle to executive level managers and leaders (Grade 14 and above) who are motivated to strengthen their strategic thinking and planning skills for inclusive development.
The three-day course offers participants the opportunity to develop their own strategic frameworks and engage leading experts on public sector leadership, sustainable and inclusive development, and strategic planning.
It covers three learning themes, which are:
Strategic thinking, planning and leading
Government strategy and planning frameworks
Gender, inclusion and participatory planning
Nominations close 5 March 2018. For further information and application forms, please contact the Department of Personnel Management through:
Mr Vele Ravugamini, Executive Manager – Executive Leadership Development Division Phone: 327 6326 or Email: ravugamini_vele@dpm.gov.pg
Ms Junelyn Veratau, Senior Executive Leadership Development Officer Phone: 327 6407 or Email: junelyn_veratau@dpm.gov.pg
Applications are now open to Port Moresby based public servants for the Future Leaders Program, which will commence on 9 April 2018 as part of the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct.
The Future Leaders Program offers leadership training that is tailor-made for the Papua New Guinea public sector.
Improve key public service skills, including leadership capabilities, strategic thinking and policy development.
A combination of skills-based training, peer-to-peer learning, participatory exercises, class discussions, academic course work and applied workplace projects.
A fully-funded, nine-month program with 3 x two-week residential learning blocks at the Pacific Institute of Leadership and Governance in Port Moresby.
For further information and application forms, please contact the Department of Personnel Management (DPM) through:
Mr Vele Ravugamini, Executive Manager – Executive Leadership Development Division –
Phone: 327 6326 or Email: ravugamini_vele@dpm.gov.pg
Ms Junelyn Veratau, Senior Executive Leadership Development Officer –
Phone: 327 6407 or Email: junelyn_veratau@dpm.gov.pg
Completed application forms and relevant documentation must be provided to DPM by Close of Business on Friday, 9 February 2017. Late applications will not be accepted.
Selection criteria:
Applicants must be permanent Public Servants occupying positions from Grade 10 – 14 from the Provinces and Grade 15 – 16 at the National level
Have five years of relevant work experience, including mid–level management experience
Recommended and supported by the Agency Heads to attend the program
Have demonstrated leadership skills
Possess a minimum of Grade 10 or Equivalent High School Qualification
Grade 12 or Equivalent High School Qualification
(desirable)
Required documentation:
Completed application forms
Copy of Curriculum Vitae (CV) detailing duties and responsibilities, demonstrating 5 years of relevant work experience including mid-level management experience.
Certified copies of academic certificates and transcript for all previous high school and university studies
A letter of recommendation from the Agency Head
Applications that do not include the required documentation will not be considered.
Nominations are now open for the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct’s Writing for Government short courses, which will be held in Port Moresby from 28 February – 2 March 2018 and Alotau from 5-7 March 2018.
This executive leadership short course provides with public sector leaders (Grades 14 and above) with an opportunity to boost their professional writing skills.
The course provides participants with technical advice on preparing top-standard government documents and written communication, with an emphasis on appropriate language, styles and templates. It is delivered by technical writing experts and experienced former public servants, and covers:
The principles of writing for government
Briefing notes
Policy briefs and NEC submissions
Planning and strategy documents
Reports
Policies
For further information and application forms, please contact the Department of Personnel Management through:
Mr Vele Ravugamini, Executive Manager – Executive Leadership Development Division Phone: 327 6326 or Email: ravugamini_vele@dpm.gov.pg
Ms Junelyn Veratau, Senior Executive Leadership Development Officer Phone: 327 6407 or Email: junelyn_veratau@dpm.gov.pg
The Parliamentary Delegation at the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct.
A Parliamentary Delegation from Australia visited the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct in Port Moresby on Monday 6 November, as part of their official visit to Papua New Guinea.
The delegation, which included Senator the Hon Ian Macdonald, Ken O’Dowd MP, Cathy O’Toole MP, Senator Kimberley Kitching and Julia Agostino, met representatives from the Precinct’s core partner institutions, including the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG), the Department of Personnel Management, the Papua New Guinea Institute of Public Administration and the Australian National University (ANU).
UPNG hosted a roundtable discussion which provided partners with the opportunity to talk to the delegation about the impact of the Precinct.
Dr Manoj Pandey (left), Australian National University economics lecturer seconded at the University of Papua New Guinea, and Methuselah Wabiria (right), fourth year economics student, explain the impact of the Precinct partnership with UPNG’s School of Business and Public Policy.
Methuselah Wabiria, third year economics student at UPNG’s School of Business and Public Policy, told the delegation how important the Precinct partnership with ANU has been for his academic development.
“ANU is the number one university in Australia and I consider myself lucky to be taught quantitative economics and critical thinking skills by these lecturers,” Mr Wabiria said.
“I know how much that can influence policy and how much my country can benefit from an economist who understands the statistics.
Course participants, from (L-R): Len Gafem, Nigel Tahija, Kaiomen Kens Ningin and Elish Peono.
Twenty-five public servants from 12 provincial administrations and health authorities in the country have completed the first ever Future Leaders Program through the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct.
The Future Leaders Program is focused on the development of public servants’ professional skills, leadership capabilities, strategic thinking and policy development.
The first cohort began in March and participants travelled to Port Moresby three times for intensive two-week blocks at the Papua New Guinea Institute of Public Administration (PNGIPA).
The Future Leaders Program is delivered as a collaboration between PNGIPA, the University of Papua New Guinea’s School of Business and Public Policy and the University of Queensland with guidance from the Department of Personnel Management as part of the Papua New Guinea-Australia partnership.
Future Leaders Program Cohort 1 participants discuss gender in the workplace.
Grace Garu, Finance Manager at the Southern Highlands Provincial Health Authority, said the Future Leaders Program motivated her to go beyond the core duties of her role.
“This course is about leadership. I was already a manager but I worked within my confined zones,” she said.
“The Future Leaders Program has broadened my vision – being a leader means to lead others in making effective changes and to be a role model.
You have to assist your staff and show them where to go and this course has made me humble myself and fit in their shoes.”
“I want to help them, mentor them, build them – and that will help the organisation move forward.”
Kaiomen Kens Ningin was promoted to the position of Acting Human Resources Manager at the Western Provincial Administration just as he commenced the Future Leaders Program in March.
Grace Garu (right) and her colleague Elizabeth Brian (left) from the South Highlands Provincial Health Authority.
“Without this course, given the responsibility of Acting HR Manager, maybe I would be sitting there thinking ‘how will I go about it?’” Mr Ningin said.
“I’m a manager, I’m a leader and this program is making me think and take responsibility in that role.
This course has made me become a change agent. I feel confident I have the capacity to make changes for my organisation.”
The Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct is a partnership between the Governments of Papua New Guinea and Australia to support the development of ethical, capable public sector leaders.
Ms Rhoda Karl tested out some of her new skills learned at the training program.
A group of Papua New Guinea’s public servants have boosted their leadership skills, ensuring they have the tools to communicate effectively with peers and the public.
More than 40 public servants from throughout Papua New Guinea participated in the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct’s Public Speaking and Speech Writing course, held in Port Moresby.
The intensive course was tailored to the Papua New Guinean public sector, and focused on creating the right tone to motivate and inspire others.
Assistant Secretary Rhoda Karl, from the Department of Treasury, said her role involved the preparation of departmental and ministerial speeches.
“I have gained confidence in preparing speeches, and for public speaking and presenting myself,” Ms Karl said.
Mr Xavier Bate Winnia, from the Constitutional and Law Reform Commission, wrote a speech for presentation on the final day.
“This session has given me a framework and polished some of the skills that I use every day.”
Xavier Bate Winnia, Senior Research Officer at the Constitutional and Law Reform Commission, said he now has a greater understanding of how to make an impact with his ideas.
“In my line of work, as a researcher, we are used to providing a lot of information – but it can be too much to take in,” Mr Winnia said.
“Through this training I have learned how to carefully craft my message in a way that is specific to the audience.”
The Public Speaking and Speech Writing course was led by Toby Ralph, one of Australia’s eminent communications experts and speech writers.
He said public speaking and speech writing are important skills that can be trained and improved.
“To communicate ideas crisply and carry people with you matters when you’re at the pointy end of the public service,” Mr Ralph said.
The Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct is a joint initiative of the Governments of Papua New Guinea and Australia to support ethical and capable public sector leadership.
Precinct courses respond to demand for skills and knowledge that are pertinent to existing and emerging public sector leaders.
Future Leaders Program participants, Sylvia Gemung and Elisha Peono.
Emerging public sector leaders participating in the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct’s Future Leaders program believe they can advance employment opportunities for women throughout the country.
The Future Leaders program is supporting public servants to improve their technical and leadership skills, and to become champions of key policies in the Government of Papua New Guinea, such as the Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) policy.
Elisha Peono, a GESI officer with the East New Britain Provincial Health Authority, said the Future Leaders Program is helping to develop strong and ethical leaders that can create more opportunities for marginalised groups in Papua New Guinea.
“The Future Leaders Program is a good combination of the theoretical and practical aspects, and taking part will help me realise my potential,” Mr Peono said.
“When we go out in to the workforce we can be leaders in policy creation and decision making. Gender Equity and Social Inclusion is about improving accessibility to employment and participation in the workforce, particularly to improve the number of women in decision making positions.”
The Precinct is a partnership between Papua New Guinea and Australia to develop capable and ethical public sector leaders who will be able to lead and manage the delivery of fair and impartial government services for all citizens of Papua New Guinea.
The Department of Personnel Management is currently reviewing applications for the second cohort of the Future Leaders program, which is scheduled to begin in May of this year.
Sylvia Gemung, a women’s officer with the Morobe Provincial Administration, said the Future Leaders Program will help her take the step up.
“The Papua New Guinea and Australian Governments are looking at empowering women and getting them active in the upper levels of the public sector,” Ms Gemung said.
“I’m challenged and inspired, and I believe in my heart that after completing this training there will be room for me to get up there.
“This program will help me greatly in implementing government policies at a provincial level.”
The Future Leaders Program has been created specifically for the Papua New Guinea public sector and is based on Ethics and Values-Based Executive Leadership and Management Capability Framework and the Gender Equity and Social Inclusion Policy. Applicants are awarded places on merit through a competitive assessment process.
It is delivered in collaboration with the University of Papua New Guinea, the Papua New Guinea Institute of Public Administration and the University of Queensland, under the guidance of the Department of Personnel Management and the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology.
Participants undertake a combination of skills-based training, peer-to-peer learning, participatory exercises, class discussions, academic course work, and workplace projects.
Twenty-five of Papua New Guinea’s most talented public servants are currently participating in the new Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct – Future Leaders Program, which is designed to strengthen public sector leadership and service delivery.
The inaugural participants have just completed their first two-week residential sessions looking at ethical decision making, emotional intelligence, risk management, strategic thinking, public policy in Papua New Guinea and transformational leadership.
The Future Leaders Program is being delivered through a collaboration between the Papua New Guinea Institute of Public Administration (PNGIPA) and the University of Papua New Guinea School of Business and Public Policy (UPNG SBPP); both core Precinct partners.
The 10-month Program is providing public servants with skills-based training, group learning and academic course work tailored for the Papua New Guinea public sector.
The Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct is a partnership between the Governments of Papua New Guinea and Australia.
The Department of Personnel Management is currently taking applications for the second cohort of the Future Leaders Program, which will begin in May 2017.
At the recent launch of the Future Leaders Program, Department of Personnel Management Deputy Secretary, Taies Sansan said that the participants had been identified as future public sector decision-makers.
“Our country needs leaders in the public service that are strong, capable and ethical,” Ms Sansan said.
“You have been chosen because you have demonstrated the qualities that it takes to be a leader.
We believe you have the potential to step up and make a difference, and the Future Leaders Program will give you the tools to fulfil this promise.”
All of the participants in the first cohort of the Future Leaders Program were drawn from Provincial Governments and there was also balanced representation of women and men.
Australian High Commission Counsellor for Economic Governance, Jodie McAlister said the Future Leaders Program would help participants respond more directly to the needs of Papua New Guineans.
“As more responsibility is extended to the provincial and district level there needs to be capable leaders ready to make a difference,” Ms McAlister said.
“The Precinct is providing training programs tailored to public servants in Papua New Guinea.
With the solid foundations laid down during this program, you can be confident in your ability to create policy, make decisions and respond to the needs of the people.”
Ms Jodie McAlister, Counsellor Economic Governance at the Australian High Commission in Papua New Guinea, welcomed the participants to the inaugural Future Leaders Program.
Mr Vincenet Muhya (left) from the West Sepik Provincial Administration and Mr Elisha Peono from the East New Britain Provincial Health Authority, were welcomed by DPM Deputy Secretary, Ms Taies Sansan.
Professor Lekshmi N. Pillai, Executive Dean of the University of Papua New Guinea School of Business and Public Policy, and Ms Taies Sansan, Department of Personnel Management Deputy Secretary – key partners in the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct
Papua New Guinea has taken another step on the path to adopting global best practice in open and accountable management of its extractive resources.
A three-day workshop hosted by the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct and the Papua New Guinea Secretariat of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (PNGEITI) was held in Port Moresby last week to strengthen the way in which revenue from the industry is managed through improved transparency and ethical leadership in the sector.
The workshop involved key resources sector stakeholders from government, industry and civil society.
Papua New Guinea applied to join the EITI three years ago, recognising the benefits to citizens and investors of having improved transparency around the management of the nation’s natural wealth.
The workshop follows PNGEITI’s 2014 report, which identified opportunities for improvements to the sector’s reporting and management.
Deputy Secretary for Treasury, Manu Momo, said the Government had made significant progress towards becoming EITI accredited.
“Despite our challenges, we have achieved a lot in implementing the global EITI standards,” he said.
“The EITI initiative has the potential to deliver significant benefits through increased accountability and transparency.
This means having information available to stimulate more debate on public policy and how to best manage our resource revenue.”
PNGEITI Secretariat Head Lucas Alkan said: “This is a very exciting collaboration between the Precinct and the PNGEITI, which have joined together to improve governance and transparency in the extractive sector.”
“With strong leadership, this industry can be a platform for social and economic change.”
The acceptance of Papua New Guinea as an EITI compliant country, if achieved, will contribute to building a better business environment based on transparency and increased accountability.
The Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct is a joint initiative of the Governments of Papua New Guinea and Australia to develop capable and ethical leaders who will drive economic growth and improve service delivery.
Australian High Commission Counsellor for Economic Governance, Jodie McAlister, said ensuring appropriate benifits from the resources industry was a challenge shared by Australia.
“The extractives sector is a vital part of the economies of both Papua New Guinea and Australia,” she said.
“The challenge that has been presented to our two countries is to ensure that the revenues from these non-renewable resources are used to build for future generations.
While these resources are finite, with strong governance and leadership the extractives sector can provide the basis for sustainable development, economic growth and diversification.”
PNGEITI is a Government-led initiative, which is supported by companies, civil society groups, investors and international organizations.
It provides a platform for these groups to review, assess, and report on what is being paid by companies and received by governments from extractive industry operations.
36 Papua New Guinean public servants have completed an intensive ethics short course delivered through the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct.
The three-day course provided the participants with frameworks for ethical decision making in leadership.
20 women and 16 men travelled from across Papua New Guinea to attend, including participants from East Sepik, Eastern Highlands, Madang, Milne Bay, New Ireland, Port Moresby and Oro.
The course, a key component of the Precinct Leadership Program, is closely aligned with the Ethics and Values-Based Executive Leadership and Management Capability Framework and the Gender and Social Inclusion Policy, key policies of the Government of Papua New Guinea.
The University of Queensland and The Ethics Centre facilitated the course as part of the Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct, a joint initiative between the Governments of Papua New Guinea and Australia to forge a new generation of ethical and capable public sector leaders.
