The National Executive Council has approved a new law to better regulate the engagement of non-citizen aid funded technical advisers.
The regulation is to ensure PNG’s sovereignty is protected and respected by expatriate advisers who work in government agencies only.
The new law comes into effect this Thursday, September 1st.
The new arrangements apply to all non-citizens who are currently employed by development contractors and other agencies to provide advisory support.
The agreement creates a link between the adviser and the agency secretary.
A statement released by the Department of Personnel Management, Secretary John Kali, stated that the main element of the law is the requirement for the non-citizen advisers to sign a performance and conduct agreement before entering the country.
This ensures the adviser is under the day-to-day control and direction of their PNG agency head; it also commits the adviser to build the capacity and performance of his or her counterparts by on-the-job training and skills transfer; and binds the adviser to observe the provisions of the non-citizen technical adviser code of conduct – which includes maintaining confidentiality of information, act with honesty and integrity and not engage in any political activities.
The department is currently reviewing the arrangements that apply to citizen technical advisers, to ensure consistency with that of the non-citizen advisers.
(Picture: www.lifehack.org)