Career problems and issues of senior level public servants in Papua New Guinea

Abstract

Abstract This paper describes some of the career problems and issues faced by senior level officers of the Papua New Guinea public service. Restrictive educational and personnel policies prior to independence and subsequent rapid localization of the public service have led to a senior level administrative corps that is predominantly male, relatively young and inexperienced. These circumstances provide the context for a description and analysis of the perceived career impediments of 46 senior level officers, including career opportunity deficiencies; inadequacies of management; inadequacies of knowledge, skills, and abilities; lack of opportunity for decision making and implementation; political influence; inadequacies of staffing; decentralization; lack of procedural guidelines and professional standards; and miscellaneous problems. The analysis suggests that the twin purposes of establishing a career service and rapidly localizing the public service have worked against each other and resulted in career problems such as those perceived by the officers. Greater attention needs to be focused on organizational design, interpersonal relationships, and career development in order to reduce these impediments.

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