Job Description

Department of Personnel Management

Designation : Team Leader-HR/Payroll Application Support (Code- DPM 14-44)

Job Description / Responsibilities:

1. IDENTIFICATION

AGENCY:

Department of Personnel Management

SYSTEM POSITION# (10-Digits):

 

REF#:

DPM14-44

OFFICE:

Office of the Public Service HR/Payroll Services

DESIGNATION/CLASSIFICATION:

Team Leader/Grade 14

DIVISION:

Database Management & Application Support

LOCAL DESIGNATIION:

Team Leader - HR/Payroll Application Support

BRANCH:

System Administration & Digital Reporting

REPORTING TO:

Manager

SYS POS# (10-Digits):

 

REF#:

DPM14-43

SECTION:

 

LOCATION:

Central Government Office, Level 3, Waigani, NCD
       

HISTORY OF POSITION

 

 

FILE REFERENCE

DATE OF VARIATION

DETAIL

AGENCY REFERENCE/FILE NO:

Structure Approved Date:

27th March 2025

2. PURPOSE:

The Team Leader - HR/Payroll Application Support is responsible for providing leadership and oversight in the configuration and support of the Ascender Pay Integrated HR/Payroll System (IHRPS), ensuring alignment with the Government of Papua New Guinea’s (GoPNG) business and operational requirements. The role also leads the delivery of digital reporting and analytics outputs to senior stakeholders and maintains critical dashboards on personnel emoluments and demographic data. A key component of the role is overseeing the fortnightly payroll processing for over 146,000 public servants, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and full compliance with government pay cycle protocols.

  • This role enables the DPM to fulfill its core mandate of managing and operating the national public sector payroll system.
  • It contributes to operational stability by ensuring system configuration, support, and payroll processing are executed flawlessly.
  • Without this role, there would be breakdowns in payroll cycle management, misaligned system configurations, and disruptions in critical data reporting.
  • The position ensures business continuity and supports evidence-based decision-making through reliable digital reporting and system administration.

3. DIMENSIONS:

Finance: Supports a payroll portfolio exceeding PGK230 million per fortnight.

Staff Supervision: Supervises 3–4 technical officers (System Support Officers, Reporting Analysts).

Scope: Responsible for the system administration and application support for over 146,000 public servants.

Systems: Ascender Pay IHRPS, digital dashboards, configuration tools, BI/reporting interfaces.

4. PRINCIPLE ACCOUNTABILITIES:

  1. Ensure accurate configuration of business rules, salary structures, allowances, deductions, and reporting fields in IHRPS.
  2. Lead the digital reporting function to ensure timely and accurate delivery of emolument and demographic data dashboards.
  3. Oversee the end-to-end fortnightly payroll processing cycle in accordance with statutory timelines and financial controls.
  4. Provide first-level resolution to system-related issues and escalate unresolved matters.
  5. Monitor system performance and user access configurations for operational security and continuity.
  6. Coordinate and train application support officers on configuration, reporting, and payroll processes.
  7. Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to align business needs with system capabilities.

5. MAJOR DUTIES:

  1. Supervise the configuration and support of application modules in the IHRPS for all agencies.
  2. Maintain and update dashboards on personnel emoluments, age demographics, and other analytical reports.
  3. Monitor compliance with GoPNG pay cycle schedules and coordinate activities to ensure payroll cut-off deadlines are met.
  4. Conduct audits and validations on system configuration and digital reports to ensure data quality.
  5. Provide technical leadership to support officers on troubleshooting and system documentation.
  6. Support the generation and dissemination of reports to key stakeholders, including DPM, Finance, and Treasury.
  7. Prepare recommendations for system improvements and reporting enhancements.

6. NATURE AND SCOPE:

This position sits within the HR/Payroll Application Support Division within the Whole-of-Government Payroll Office. The position reports to the Manager - System Administration and Digital Reporting. It plays a critical role in both the operational and strategic execution of the Government’s HR/payroll application support functions, ensuring payroll processing continuity, accurate reporting, and business rule configuration and alignment.

6.1 Working Relationship:

(a) Internal:

  • Manager - System Administration and Digital Reporting
  • Executive Manager - Database & Application Support Division
  • Payroll and Budget Officers
  • Provincial & Agency HR Teams
  • ICT Division

(b) External:

  • Department of Finance and Treasury (Payroll alignment and funding)
  • Department of ICT (System hosting, access management)
  • Various aPay User Groups
  • System Vendors and Support Contractors
  • External Auditors (as required)

6.2 Work Environment:

The role operates in a technical, administrative, and policy-driven environment, where attention to detail, operational reliability, and adherence to government protocols are essential. The incumbent works with sensitive payroll and HR data requiring high confidentiality and accuracy under time-bound payroll cycles.

7. CONSTRAINTS FRAMEWORK AND BOUNDARIES:

Rules/Procedures: General Orders, Payroll Processing Manual, System Configuration Protocols, Payroll Processing Cycle & Cut-off Schedule

Decision Authority: Authorized to approve standard configuration updates, dashboard edits, and operational payroll validations

Recommendations: Provides input on payroll system upgrades, digital reporting innovations, and business rule configuration improvements

8. CHALLENGES:

The most significant challenge lies in maintaining system performance and delivering error-free payroll processing for over 146,000 public servants under tight time constraints. A fully competent job holder must ensure dashboard accuracy, compliance with cut-off schedules, and seamless configuration updates despite competing agency demands and limited technical resources.

9. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS:

(a) Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Information Systems, HRIS, Payroll Management, Business ICT, or related field.

(b) Knowledge

  • In-depth knowledge of the Ascender Pay system or similar HR/payroll applications.
  • Familiarity with PNG’s General Orders and public sector payroll structures.
  • Understanding of business intelligence tools and dashboard design principles.

(c) Skills

  • Configuration and administration of HR/payroll systems
  • Digital dashboard and report generation
  • Time management and adherence to payroll schedules
  • Technical problem-solving and stakeholder communication
  • Staff supervision and mentoring

(d) Work Experience

  • At least 3-5 years of relevant experience in payroll systems administration or HRMIS support in a public sector environment
  • Experience in managing digital reports and business analysis
  • Demonstrated capacity in managing technical teams or support functions

Job Type:

Full Time

Language Requirements:

English

Salary(per annum):

K51050.00

Job Location:

Waigani

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