APPOINTMENTS OF NEW HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS IN THE TONGA PUBLIC SERVICE
The current Heads of Department (or Chief Executives) for the Tonga Government entered into contractual employment arrangements in 2003, with contract expiry date at end December 2006. Resulting from this, a recruitment process seeking to fill the Heads of Department roles from 1st January 2007 was undertaken by the Public Service Commission. The process concluded this week with the appointment of new Heads of Departments for the majority of advertised roles.
“The new appointments of Tonga Government’s Heads of Departments are the result of an exhaustive and transparent selection process, facilitated by independent expert consultants under the guidance of the Public Service Commissioners, and based entirely on merit”, the Chairperson of the Public Service Commission, Mishka Tu’ifua, said today. “The Tongan community can be confident that the best people have been selected from competitive fields of international and local candidates and they have all demonstrated enthusiastic commitment to reform and to improved delivery of government services”, she added.
“The appointment of 11 new Heads of Departments in the public service represents a significant step forward in the Government’s reform program and an exciting new era of leadership”, as further explained by Mrs. Mishka Tu’ifua.
The following appointments were announced:
1. Mr. ‘Aisake Valu Eke – Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning
2. Mr. Paulo Kautoke – Ministry of Labour, Commerce and Industries
3. Mr. Sefita Tangi – Commissioner of Revenue
4. Mr. Sione Taumoepeau – Ministry of Works
5. Mr. Viliami Va’inga Tone – Ministry of Foreign affairs
Environment
7. Mr. Sione Vuna Fa’otusia – Ministry of Justice and Attorney General
8. Ms. Linda Folaumoetu’i – Solicitor General, Ministry of Justice and Attorney General
9. Dr. Viliami Fukofuka – Ministry of Education, Women’s Affairs and Culture
10. Dr. Taniela Fusimalohi – Ministry of Training, Employment, Youth and Sports
11. Mr. Penisimani Vea – Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Food
Of the 17 advertised Head of Department roles, there remained some roles which were not able to be filled. In these cases, the Commission continues its efforts to ensure appropriate arrangements are in place from January 2007 until it is able to readvertise these roles in the future. Mrs. Tu’ifua said that the new appointees will be appointed on performance based contracts for up to 5 years.
The new Heads will participate in an induction program early in 2007 designed to provide support to the new Heads and clarify the details of the new performance management system under which the contracts of appointment will be managed. Ministers will also be briefed on the performance management system for their input and endorsment.
“I should also mention that the selection process has identified a number of candidates who, while unsuccessful on this occasion, have both the calibre of skills and the potential to advance to senior leadership levels at a later date. The Commission will implement a number of development programmes to ensure that this potential is realised in the future and expert skills are not lost from the Service” Mrs. Tu’ifua added.
“Success of the recruitment process was due to a number of key factors, namley the quality of applicants; participation of local and international industry experts & general management specialists as Panellists; and especially Cabinet’s strong support to maintain a credible and transparent process.” Mrs. Tu’ifua explained.
