Position: Secretary 
Department: Technical
Classification / Code: BEX 03.
Job Location:  Buka, ARoB.

The Secretary leads and manages a department with significant operational responsibilities, delivering government priorities in infrastructure, facilities, and project management. This role oversees technical services and geo-hazard assessments while leading the development and maintenance of transport infrastructure, including roads, airports, and wharves. The Secretary coordinates with providers to deliver telecom, radio, and postal services and supports the Chief Secretary in cross-departmental infrastructure coordination. Additionally, this position develops infrastructure policies, systems, and management practices and builds capacity across all levels of government for effective infrastructure contract management.

APPLICANT PROFILE AND SELECTION CRITERIA
The following requirements and competencies will form the selection criteria for this position.

Leadership within the Public Service
Excellent leadership is an essential element to high performing departments and a high performing Bougainville Public Service. As a senior officer of government, the Secretary is expected to lead by example. Working with the Chief Secretary the Secretary will work in a spirit of service and strive towards the overall goal of a system of world class, professional public service, serving the government of the day and meeting the needs of the people of Bougainville

Profile: 
The Secretary will be a proven leader with demonstrable current experience in a senior managerial leadership position in the field of project management, construction, engineering or architecture in government or the private sector or the community. Through his or her skills and career experience he or she will be able to:
 

Illustrate an ability to improve significantly the performance of an organisation similar to the Department Demonstrate significant practical experience in contributing to the development of a modern, efficient and value for money infrastructure and facilities services delivery organisation Demonstrate the ability to deliver the department’s specific outputs. Contribute solutions to the specific challenges and priorities facing the Department in contributing to the development of the Bougainville Administration Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of Bougainville’s aspirations for autonomy and the challenges the Bougainville government faces Be able to relate to leaders, colleagues and the people at all levels of the Bougainville community

Desire Experience and Qualifications:
The Secretary must be:

The holder of an appropriate tertiary qualification or equivalent in construction, civil engineering, architecture from a recognised tertiary institution A fit and proper person to be appointed to the Bougainville Public Service. Under 60 years of age at the time of appointment Of good character, be in good health and free of criminal convictions or determinations of disciplinary enquiries. Computer literate to a high standard and familiar with project management software and tools

 

Position Specific Requirements
The Secretary will need to be skilled in the following competencies.

Strategic Skills
An effective Secretary will possess a depth and breadth of knowledge and experience in management at a senior level. He or she will be intellectually sharp, and deal with concepts and complexity comfortably. He or she will have a strong grasp of key trends and issues facing Bougainville, the government, the restoration of services, facilities and infrastructure and the wider capacity issues in the public sector.
The Secretary will be able to articulate strategies and tactics for creating the Bougainville Police Service and the Bougainville Corrections Service. In this complex filed of law, operations and practice the Secretary must be able to develop options, explain them across all levels of government and the community and act as the government’s agent to have the agreed policies implemented.
The Secretary must be able to develop medium to long range strategies and plans for the functions that the Department is responsible for. He or she should be able to probe deeply into issues without losing sight of the bigger picture. The Secretary must be able to learn quickly when facing new problems and be comfortable handling risk and uncertainty.  A willingness to take reasonable risks, be open to change and to experiment is essential. He or she must be future and outcomes oriented and take a broad perspective on issues, analysing both successes and failures for clues about how to improve.  The Secretary will be able to guide the creation of a compelling vision for the Department and inspire the staff to support that vision.

Operating Skills
The Secretary will create a focus in the department to get things done. Roadblocks will be eliminated by concentrating on the vital issues that need attention. He or she will create strong teams by empowering people, fostering open dialogue, effectively allocating resources and ensuring that individuals work together. The teams will work across boundaries. The Secretary will continually support the development of the Department’s senior management team; coaching them and providing opportunities that will stretch them. 

Communication & Negotiation Skills
The Secretary must be able to be communicate with senior officers and leaders in the National Government and the Bougainville Government on an individual basis and collectively. He or she will be able to negotiate with the National Government, including the RPNGC and Correctional Service. Negotiations will be handled professionally without emotion

Courage
The Secretary must be able to be counted on by the Minister and the Chief Secretary when times are tough. He or she cannot shirk personal responsibility. Anticipating potential conflicts they look for common ground; resolving differences equitably and calmly. The Secretary must be willing to take the lead in resolving issues giving independent sound advice based upon law, technical standards and good practice An ability to read situations and people accurately is essential.

Energy & Drive
The Secretary will work consistently demonstrating energy and drive for better results. He or she will not give up in the face of resistance or setbacks, however they are also willing to adapt their approach if necessary to achieve the desired result.

Personal & Interpersonal Skills
Effective chief executives know themselves well, are open to criticism and seek feedback. The Secretary will learn from mistakes and strive constantly to develop himself or herself. Seeking advice from the Minister and the Chief Secretary the Secretary should be counted on to remain calm and hold things together in tough times. The Secretary should not be prone to defensiveness, frustration, nor easily knocked off balance. 
In his or her dealings with others the Secretary will be a good listener and will easily establish rapport with others. Maintaining constructive external and internal relationships is a key function of this position.
A key role of the Secretary will be to create a climate within the Department in which people feel motivated to do their best and people like working for and with them. The Secretary is required to meet the expectations and requirements of the Minister and Chief Secretary and act consistently with those expectations and requirements in mind.

Organizational Positioning Skills
The Secretary will understand the political and organizational context within which they work. In Bougainville this is emerging from the autonomy arrangements in new and unique ways. The departmental structure is new and emerging. The Minister and Secretary will be feeling their way as working relationships develop. The election in 2015 is likely to produce some new ministers who will come from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences.
The Secretary will be sensitive to political processes and anticipate risks and how others may respond. The Secretary, with advice from the Chief Secretary and minister, will be able to maneuver through complex political situations effectively and quietly whilst maintaining Public Service standards of political neutrality. A successful Secretary will know how to get things done within the Bougainville political and organizational context and understand the origin and reasoning behind key policies, practices and procedures. They understand how to work with different organizational cultures to achieve change

Acting with Honor & Integrity
The Secretary will adhere to the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct observing the Bougainville Public Service Code of Conduct, during both good and bad times and situations. The Secretary will be a role model the ethics, values and behaviors set out in the Code. The Secretary will deliver on his or her promises and be direct and truthful in dealings with others.  He or she will keep confidences and admit mistakes. The Secretary will not misrepresent himself for personal gain. The Secretary will work fulltime in this role and will not maintain any other employment or business

Prohibitions
Section 25 of the Bougainville Senior Appointments Act disqualifies certain people from holding this senior office

25 Disqualification

A person is not qualified to be, or to remain, a senior office-holder if the person is—
a. the President, or a candidate for election as President; or
 
b. a member of, or a candidate for election to—
  the House of Representatives; or a level of formal government in Bougainville; or the National Parliament; or a Provincial Government; or a Local-level Government or Authority; or

 
c. an office-holder in a political party registered under a Bougainville law or an Act of the National Parliament; or
d. declared bankrupt by a court of competent jurisdiction and remains bankrupt; or
e. of unsound mind within the meaning of any law relating to the protection of the person or property of persons of unsound mind; or
f. under sentence of death or imprisonment.