By Nadia. Marai

The European-funded project ‘’ Preventing and Countering Corruption in Papua New Guinea’’ which is implemented by the European Union and United Nations Office of Drugs and Crimes (UNDOC) recently ran a week of training on investigations of administrative complaints for practitioners working in the area of integrity and anti-corruption, entrusted with or interested in investigations of administrative complaints which included the Public Services Commission. The training was conducted by UNDP’s Anti-Corruption specialists in partnership with the Department of Attorney General.

Fifteen (15) officers from PSC attended the training to broaden their skills and knowledge in the area of conducting administrative investigations.

Bonstein Igime who is a Review officer with the National Review Division was one of the officers that attended the training from the 2nd to the 5th of May 2023, at the Gateway Hotel in Port Moresby.

‘’ We were given advanced training on investigations of administrative complaints. Basically, during those 3 days, we learned about how to eliminate risks leading to administrative complaints, how to investigate administrative complaints in theory and in practice, and finally how to fight corruption and fraud in the public sector in practice’’ said Mr. Igime.

He said on the last day the training was specifically on corruption risk assessment and management. ‘’ During that session, we learned about how to identify and assess key corruption risks, how to develop specific plans to address each of these key corruption risks, how to implement these plans, and finally how to ensure regular monitoring of implementation.’’

Each of the days’ training was designed to provide awareness and knowledge to key practitioners who are working in institutions of integrity and anti-corruption and are dealing with investigations of administrative complaints. Presentations centered around basic theoretical knowledge, combined with extensive practical exercises (case studies, role-playing, etc…) putting current regulations into a practical context and reviewing alternative ways of addressing the existing challenges.

The training is the advanced continuation of basic training on the investigation of administrative complaints that is funded by the EU and co-organized by UNDP and DJAG within the PNG Anti-Corruption Project in October 2022 in Port Moresby. The focus of advanced training is on the practical application of knowledge.

Mr Igime said the training was very important for him as well as a first-time Review officer for PSC.

‘’It’s very important to understand and appropriately apply the proper investigative techniques to effectively deal with administrative complaints within the public sector. To establish preventive and pre-emptive measures to carefully identify corruption risks and to effectively deal with them and thereafter establish evaluation and monitoring processes to neutralize these corruption risks.’’

Mr. Igime added that we should do our job with pride and utmost professionalism in order to help eradicate corruption and negative practices and stigma from the public sector in PNG. PNG is slowly improving as indicated in the recent reports from the global corruption index and although it is a promising sign of good things to come, the improvements we are making are still at a snail’s pace. Therefore, it’s imperative that all officers from the different government agencies and departments around the country should work in a collective manner with a strong intent, purpose, and objective to significantly reduce and neutralize corruption in our country.

Image: Officers of PSC who attended the training alongside Interim Chairman for ICAC Mr Thomas Eluh (Seated 2nd from right) with the trainers from UNDP Mr Drago Kos and Almar Sedlar.

Alice Asigau Navuru PSC’s recently recruited Human Resources Manager. Mrs. Navuru recently had a chat with the PSC media on the highlights of her professional career. Here we feature Alice who is a determined woman, a wife, a mother of three (3), and a career woman in the Public Service.

Alice completed her Post Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management (HRM) from the University of South Australia, in 2019. After completing her post-graduate studies in Australia, Alice as an Alumni of PNG Australia Alumni Association (PNGAAA) through Australia Awards PNG (AAPNG) was further given the opportunity to attend one of AAPNG there first pilot programs called ‘The Women Alumni Mentorship Program’ (WAMI).

Recently Alice attended the graduation of this 3 years pilot program hosted by the Australia Awards PNG which Alice was part of as one of the mentees to celebrate the Women Alumni Mentoring Initiative (WAMI) that concluded its third year. The event was an opportunity to congratulate Alice and other mentees and mentors. The initiative provides professional development workshops and networking opportunities for alumni to share knowledge and skills for stakeholders to hear about their experiences over the past months.

Alice’s story is one of the success stories of this pilot program whereby through this program, she was able to secure another professional development scholarship from the East-West Center called ‘Asia Pacific Leadership Program’ (APLP) offered at the University of Hawaii in Manoa as Generation 21 member selected from Asia Pacific countries 2022 to 2023.

She is a member of the PNG Australia Alumni Association (PNGAAA) which is a professional association of Papua New Guineans that have lived and studied in Australia. As an Alumni, Alice, and other fellows are empowered to contribute to the growth and development of PNG and to foster productive relationships between Australia and PNG and this is a forum to discuss and action on development challenges facing PNG and the Pacific.

WAMI is part of a number of programs or initiatives that Australia Awards PNG initiated as professional development for women as mentees and mentors to learn from each other collectively and build a strong bond of networking. The celebration showcases the Initiative’s activities undertaken and other highlights including challenges, successful outcomes, and lessons learned. As an integral part of this Initiative’s success as a mentee, were invited to attend in person.

As part of the event, a panel discussion took place where panelists share their mentoring experiences. Alice’s mentor, Ms. Anne Lauka who is the Professional Development Trainer at Ela Motors PNG spoke about Alice’s journey in this three-year pilot program and how she has progressed professionally in her career.

When asked what advice she would like to give to people who want to further upskill or continue their education this was what Alice had to say?

‘’Education doesn’t end when you complete Grade 10, 12 or the University degree you attain. Learning is an ongoing opportunity to grab and upskill yourself. This will not only upskill you professionally but personally as well. I go by my affirmation that, ‘I will achieve it if only I believe it’.

What were some of the skills and knowledge you have gained through that program you plan on utilizing in your current role at PSC?

‘’I have gained a lot of confidence and value in my line of duty as a Human Resource practitioner in this 3 years pilot program as a Mentee in Cohort 1, 2, and now 3. I have set goals to achieve and one of them is to become a Manager of Human Resources in the next 5 years. I am now fortunate to be employed by Public Services Commission .’’

Any final word of thank you to your sponsor and family members who have supported you along this journey?

‘’Yes, I would like to say Thank you to my Secretary, PSC Secretariat Mr. Terence B. Tupi for allowing me to attend this celebration event’’

‘’Thank you to our sponsors Australia Awards PNG, Ms Rebecca Gitsham, Mr. Samson Vartovo, Ms. Melissa Warbua, and Dr. Lesley Petersen. Thank you to Deputy High Commissioner Dr. Joanne Loundes, Australian High Commission, and Ms. Susan Wilson from the Department of Foreign Affairs Australia.’’

‘’ Thank you to my mentors, Ms. Nakanat Kote, Ms. Pansy Taueni-Sialis, and Ms. Anne Lauka .’’

‘’And of course, thank you to my family and friends for your support most especially to my husband and our children for keeping up with my busy schedules.’’

Anything else you want to add to conclude?

‘’I would like to encourage everyone both girls and boys, career women and men, SME women, and men and stay-at-home mothers and fathers that empowering a girl or a boy starts at home. Therefore, please keep speaking positive thoughts and encouragement to our children to rise up in their space to become what they set their goals too. ‘’

‘’Last, but not least, I want to be a role model to my children who will want to aspire to become or achieve more than me.’’

STORY & PICTURES BY NADIA.MARAI

Mary Toru Yano from Uritai Village in the Gulf province completed her lower Secondary Education at Gordons Secondary in 1997. After completing grade 10 Mary went on to complete basic secretarial studies at Port Moresby Business College in 1998.

She was then recruited by the Constitutional Development Commission (Now Constitutional Law Reform Commission) as a Personal Assistant till 1999. From 2002-2003 she was doing data entry for MVIL after 5 years of being at home with her family. In 2008 she was recruited as an Administrative Assistant for the office of the member for Imbonggu, Southern Highlands till 2009.

Mary then joined the Public Services Commission on the 12th of August 2012 as the Administrative Assistant to Director of Legal. In December 2012, Mary was appointed as the Acting Senior Administrative Assistant to Commissioner National up to 2014 and she successfully attained that position through her commitment and perseverance.

Mary who is married to Mendi, Southern Highlands with five (5) Children says her biggest motivation was to become a Review Officer or a Human Resource Officer hence she went on to pursue studies while on the job as well. She recently Graduated with a Diploma in Public Administration from the Pacific Institute of Leadership and Governance with financial support from the Public Services Commission.

When asked about the difficulties that she had to overcome to complete her diploma program. This was Mary’s response.

‘’MY FAMILY –My responsibilities as a wife and a mother were disrupted because I had to attend classes after work from 4 pm – 7 pm.’’

‘’OFFICIAL DUTIES – The workload in NRD is too much. Apart from performing my secretarial duties as a Senior PA to the Commissioner (National), I also attend oral hearings and do transcribe. During the course of my studies, I was also overseeing the Office of the Director (NRD) which was another added task.’’

‘’ DOING ASSIGNMENT – it was tiring for me personally because I scheduled my lunch hour and 3 o’clock in the afternoon to do my assignment and I get home around 8 pm by then I am all worn out and I try to sit up in the middle of the night.”

‘’These were the 3 main challenges for me and I almost withdrew but on the other hand, I was also mindful that I needed this paper to climb another step higher.’’

Mary’s achievement speaks volumes of how working mothers are able to handle work and family commitments while furthering their education at the same time. An advice she gives to all in a similar situation is ‘’All knowledge and understanding comes from our maker – The Almighty. If I can make it you can make it too.’’

Mrs. Yano is now equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge and looks forward to implementing the skills and knowledge gained in her line of duty.

Some of the skills that she has gained are better Communication and Writing Skills – With the skills and knowledge that she has acquired Mary says she is now able to confidently attend to clients/aggrieved officers disseminating the right information for their personal consumption as well as effectively communicating with the Members of the Commission and the PSC Secretariat as a whole in line with her duties as a Personal Assistant.

‘’First and foremost I’d like to thank my sponsor and my employer, Public Services Commission for giving me this great opportunity to further my knowledge and skills so that I can serve the Commission better. I’d also like to thank my family for their support in terms of allowing me to attend classes after hours. You know as a mother/wife you have a responsibility toward your family however knowing very well that I needed this paper they have supported me all the way through. I’d also like to thank my friends/colleagues for their support in so many ways as well encouraging me to keep on going. I appreciate you all very much. You know who you are’’.

The Public Services Commission commended Mrs. Yano for her determination and perseverance in attaining a diploma in Public Administration in order to serve the Commission well.

PSC continues to invest in up-skilling and enhancing the competencies of its human resource to achieve its goal as outlined in the PSC Corporate Plan 2019 – 2023 which is further streamlined through the PSC Training and Development Policy 2020 – 2023 that is aimed at providing relevant training for staff of the Public Services Commission.