Australian High Commission
Papua New Guinea

Inclusive leaders ready to boost regional service delivery

Public servants from the provinces have strengthened their leadership skills through a Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct course.

Thirty-four public servants from 11 provinces representing central agencies and subnational offices were selected to take up the Inclusive Strategic Leadership course, which was held in Port Moresby this week from 21-23 August 2017. More than 50 per cent of the participants were women.

The three-day course offered participants the opportunity to develop their own strategic frameworks, engage experts on public sector leadership, sustainable and inclusive development.

One of the participants was Dr Max Manape, Director Public Health at the Eastern Highlands Provincial Health Authority, who oversees more than 120 staff across eight districts.

Dr Manape said he is keen to share the concepts of inclusive leadership with his team and make use of key government policies – such as the Ethics and Values-Based Leadership and Management Capability Framework and the Gender Equity and Social Inclusion Policy – to plan the delivery of primary healthcare.

“This workshop has really opened my eyes to how I can make the connection from National Government plans,” Dr Manape said.

“When I get back I will bring our officers together and conduct a three day workshop to share what we learned - it will inform our planning for next year.

“We have to emphasise inclusion as part of linking the national level to the provincial level and down to the districts.”

The Pacific Leadership and Governance Precinct is a partnership between the Governments of Papua New Guinea and Australia that supports the development of ethical, capable public sector leaders throughout PNG.

Australian High Commission Counsellor Jodie McAlister said the Precinct was increasingly focused on subnational areas, in line with the Government of Papua New Guinea’s decentralisation agenda.

“Precinct short courses and other programs are being delivered to people from provincial administrations, district offices and local level governments,” Ms McAlister said.

“This is strengthening local leadership and gives public servants throughout Papua New Guinea the opportunity to develop important vocational skills.

“This subnational focus will also see the Precinct support improvements to regional training centres around the country, which will better enable high–quality training to be delivered through local institutions.”

More than 700 people have now participated in Precinct short courses which cover a range of skills required of current and emerging public sector leaders in Papua New Guinea, including ethical decision making, writing for government, public speaking and inclusive strategic leadership.