The National Judiciary Staff Services is looking to be on the right path, following the recent launch of the Anti-Corruption Strategy.
The Strategy, which has been in the works for over 18 months, with assistance from the Transparency International, seeks to address 3 key areas in the NJSS.
These key areas include; strengthening the HR and recruitment processes, strengthening the Judiciary Complaints mechanism and to develop an agency wide code of conduct.
As per NJSS Secretary, Jack Kariko the NJSS Anti-Corruption Strategy is necessary to respond to the disease of corruption in the country and as the 3rd arm of the Government, the Judiciary plays a crucial role in delivering socio-economic Justice for the citizens.
“Building on the Fundamental tenets of our constitution, our anti-corruption legal framework, the national development plan and other instruments, the strategy uses research and stakeholder inputs to outline the actions needed to a judiciary free of corruption.”
The strategy was developed in reference to the MoU signed between the NJSS and TI PNG.
The NJSS already has an existing Judiciary Complaints committee that was established under the previous Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia during his term.
The creation of the JCC gave provision for complaints made against court staff (Judicial and non-judicial) to be investigated internally for appropriate action to be taken or recommended.
In terms of human resources, the planned NJSS HR project looks to improve human resources management and enable a strengthening of accountability and discipline through electronic capture of staff performance.
Meanwhile, the development of the NJSS Code of Conduct will set an expectation of high standards of professionalism and integrity from all staff.