​DPM Approved New Organisational Structure for National Disaster Centre​

Disaster management is a critical pillar in safeguarding lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure, especially in a geographically diverse and disaster-prone nation like Papua New Guinea. ​ For decades, the National Disaster Centre (NDC) has faced significant manpower challenges since its establishment, hindering its ability to effectively manage disaster risks across Papua New Guinea. ​ With only 18 officers (10 permanent and 8 casual) spread across two divisions—Risk Management and Community & Government Liaison—the Centre has struggled to meet the demands of disaster management in a country with 22 provinces and vast geographical coverage. ​ 

Under the leadership of Acting Director Mr. Lusete Laso Mana, the NDC prioritized the development of a new organisational structure to address these challenges. ​ The Human Resource Division of the Department of Provincial & Local Government Affairs (DPLGA) provided technical expertise, enabling the formulation of a comprehensive restructure. ​ This effort culminated in the approval of the new organisational structure by the Department of Personnel Management (DPM) in November 2024. ​ 

The approved structure introduces significant changes to enhance the NDC’s capacity which includes; 

1. Workforce Expansion: The total manpower will increase from 18 to 50 officers. ​ 

2. New Division: The restructure adds a new Operations division, alongside Executive, Disaster Risk Management, and Community & Government Liaison (Corporate Affairs). ​ 

3. Upgraded Positions: Existing roles have been elevated to higher levels to improve efficiency and leadership. ​ 

Despite the approval, the positions in the new structure were not advertised externally due to late submission last year and the absence of budget allocation. ​ The NDC is actively working with the Department of Personnel Management and the Department of Treasury to ensure funding is secured in the next fiscal year. Once funding is approved, the NDC plans to conduct mass recruitment to fill the new positions. ​ 

The approval of the new organisational structure marks a significant milestone for the National Disaster Centre. ​ With the anticipated increase in manpower and the creation of new divisions, the NDC is poised to strengthen its disaster management capabilities across Papua New Guinea. ​ However, securing funding remains a critical next step to fully implement the restructure and address the longstanding manpower constraints. The NDC remains committed to collaborating with key stakeholders to ensure the new structure is funded and operational by next year. ​ This will enable the Centre to better serve the people of Papua New Guinea in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts.