CEPA Departmental Divisions

Following a recent reorganization, the Authority now has a Corporate Services Division, Policy Coordination and Evaluation Wing, and Two Technical Wings, which are Sustainable Environment Programs and Environment Protection respectively.

Office of managing director

The Office of the Managing Director (OoMD) is responsible for providing effective support to the Minister in delivering on the Government’s policy priorities, coordinating administration of the Authority and ensuring compliance with relevant laws. The OoMD is also responsible for implementing Corporate Objective 1, which aims to establish a transitional structure to manage environment regulatory functions.

Key Result Areas

• Ensure timely preparation of policy advice and responses to Minister.
• Ensure all relevant policies, legislations and regulations administered by CEPA are implemented effectively and in accordance with relevant laws.
• Maintain effective working relationships with other Agencies in support of whole-of-Government policy initiatives.
• Ensure effective coordination of internal CEPA processes.
• Establish the CEPA transitional structure to improve administration, environment regulation and biodiversity protection in PNG.
• Establish a cost recovery mechanism and integrated information management system for delivery of environment regulation services.
• Manage the Authority’s external communications process.
• Ensure effective implementation of the three (3) impact priority projects.

Key Deliverables 2016

• Undertake organization and functional review to progress the second phase of the CEPA transition process.
• Strengthen partnerships with key central and economic sector agencies to develop well-coordinated strategies for delivering on the Government’s responsible sustainable development policy initiative.
• Implement Staff Performance Based Agreement and Remuneration policy commitment.
• Provide timely policy and technical advice to the Minister and NEC.
• Three impact priority projects identified, implemented and monitored.

corporate services

The Corporate Services area is responsible for effective management of the Authority’s Finance, Human Resources, Planning and Information Technology Systems and processes. Corporate Services is also responsible for implementing Corporate Objective 2, which aims to strengthen public administration systems and processes across the Authority and ensure all staff have the necessary skills to perform their duties effectively.

Key Result Areas

• Ensure the management of CEPA’s Finance, Human Resources, Communication and Information Technology systems and processes comply with relevant legislation, including reporting requirements during the transition phase.
• Coordinate the Authority’s Corporate Planning processes and the on-going monitoring and reporting for performance management purposes while in transition.
• Ensure staffs are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to undertake their responsibilities in preparation for CEPA proper.
• Effective management of the Authority’s Library Services.
• Ensure the Authority’s Communication and Information Technology Systems are effectively developed, managed and are able to support staff productivity.

Key Deliverables 2016

• Develop a transitional process including staff training, manuals development, staff movement and recruitment.
• Strengthen Corporate Planning Process to support the Authority.
• Improve HR management, finance, accounting and procurement system.
• Implement strategy for managing unattached officers.
• Devolution of key public administration functions, including human resource, budget management, information technology and procurement responsibilities completed and are implemented.
• Strengthen budget management and reporting systems, and are effectively implemented.

policy coordination and evaluation

The Policy Coordination and Evaluation refers to implementation of Corporate Objective 3, which aims to strengthen the Government’s responsible sustainable development policies and to improve monitoring and reporting on the health and climate of PNG’s environment.

Key Result Areas

• Environment policy framework supportive of the Government’s responsible sustainable development policy initiative and sustainable development goals.
• International engagement effective in demonstrating PNG’s commitment to its International environment and conservation obligations, and securing resources to increase capacity for on-ground outcomes.
• Government and external stakeholders supportive of the new development policy agenda and actively engaged in assisting with its implementation.
• Increased use of scientific information through integrated environment management information system and that supports regulatory decisions and reporting to the Government, broader society and international community on progress towards achieving sustainable development.

Key Deliverables 2016

• Reviewing and updating the Responsible Sustainable Development (RSD) agenda.
• Establishment of the Environment Information Management System with GIS capability for use in reporting for Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and Medium Term Development Plan, and to support demonstration projects, environment regulation, biodiversity protection and general administration.
• Revised indicator framework for SDG, MTDP and RSD reporting.
• International Engagement Strategy developed to maximize the benefits from the Department’s international work and affiliation.
• Stakeholder Management Strategy developed to ensure all stakeholders are able to engage effectively.
• Biodiversity Offsets Scheme and Biodiversity Trust Fund Policy drafted.
• Coordination and reporting strategy developed for the GEF-5, GEF-6 and JICA and other donor funded projects and activities.

environment protection

The Environment Protection refers to implementation of Corporate Objective, 4 which aims to improve the regulation and management of major development projects to reduce the risk of environmental damage.

Key Result Areas

• Effective and efficient administration of the Environment Regulatory System in regulating development activities with potential for causing environmental harm including providing cost recovery guidelines.
• Best practice environment management and environment impact assessment strategies, standards, codes of practice and guidelines developed for each segment of the environment in order to protect their quality and the environmental values that they sustain.
• Effective management of international wildlife trade to maintain the confidence of the international community and ensure on-going income streams to landowners, including new trade opportunities.
• Serve as effective secretariat to the Environment Council.
• Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and permits data base is operational.
• Effectively administer the cost recovery model.

Key Deliverables 2016

• Environment impact assessment approval processes completed on time and within budget. Priority is to be placed on projects of national significance including new gas development projects, major infrastructure developments, new mining projects and new oil palm and agroforestry developments.
• Guideline for Oil Palm developments is developed and implemented.
• Ban on Non-Biodegradable Plastic Shopping Bag Policy is implemented.
• Strategy for Phase-out of HCFC under ODS National Action Plan is implemented.
• Allocation of staff based on sector based activities and cost recovery strategy to improve efficiency.
• POPs and environment permits data base integrated and operational.
• Environment Council meetings are coordinated and documented.

sustainable environment programmes

The Sustainable Environment Programs refers to implementation of Corporate Objective 5 in demonstrating how Government policies can be implemented to deliver environmentally sustainable development on the ground working in partnership with key stakeholders.

Key Result Areas

• Ensure delivery and achievement of on-ground environment outcomes based on the efficient and effective identification, design and implementation of demonstration projects in support of the responsible sustainable development policy framework.
• Ensure effective coordination and delivery of activities in support of the PNGAustralia Joint Understanding on the Kokoda Track and Owen Stanley Ranges.
• Identify and develop sustainable management strategies for the key environmental values of biodiversity, soil and water, and for terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
• Maintain effective relationships and networks with key stakeholders to mobilize resources for on-ground implementation of biodiversity protection programs.
• Ensure effective implementation of the PNG Protected Areas Policy and National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan.
• Biodiversity Offset Mechanism and Biodiversity Trust Fund Policy supports PA policy.

Key Deliverables 2016

• PNG Protected Areas Policy implementation plan developed integrating biodiversity offset and trust fund mechanisms.
• Review and update the 2009-2013 National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan.
• Implement Program of Work on Protected Areas (POWPA).
• Implement PNG Marine Program on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security.
• Develop and implement Kokoda Track Initiative including implementing Ministerial Committee directions.
• Implement the maritime governors’ Memorandum of Understanding.
• Implement GEF-5 and JICA projects, and design GEF-6 project on biodiversity protection using the “Ridge to Reef” approach.
• Develop management plans for six (6) priority protected areas sites.
• Implement World Heritage Initiative Work Program.