The Pacific Village Online : Lessons Learned and Implications for the AVO Initiative by Prof. Pak Yoong Victoria University of Wellington New Zealand 1

Agenda Part 1: Learning from the Pacific Village Online Part 1: Learning from the Pacific Village Online Part 2: Implications for AVO Part 2: Implications for AVO Questions? Questions? 2

Structure of the Pacific Village Online (PVO) The PVO was originally designed for regionally based Pacific HR managers The PVO was originally designed for regionally based Pacific HR managers Extended to Extended to Other professional groups (e.g. Heads of Public Service, CEOs and PS, etc) Other professional groups (e.g. Heads of Public Service, CEOs and PS, etc) In-country communities In-country communities What is the structure of the Pacific Village Online portal? What is the structure of the Pacific Village Online portal? Community structure Community structure Website structure Website structure 3

Community Structure Pan-Pacific Communities HRM Online Pacific Points of Contact (PoC) Community Pacific Public Service Commissioners’ and so on In-Country Communities Solomon Islands Communities Regional Trainers Community Outer Islands Administrators’ Group Vanuatu Communities HR Managers Trainers’ Group and so on 4

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Structure of the Community Website Knowledge Base Online Interactions Hub Policy documents Training Manuals Templates Discussion Forum Online Chat Best practice cases 6

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Case Study: The HR Core Group The PPSC conference  similar to a ‘board of directors’ meeting for Pacific public service The PPSC conference  similar to a ‘board of directors’ meeting for Pacific public service Challenge  Converting ‘words’ into ‘actions’ Challenge  Converting ‘words’ into ‘actions’ Mechanism  a mediating group of senior officials from different countries that can translate those ‘action points’ into ‘potential policy statements’ Mechanism  a mediating group of senior officials from different countries that can translate those ‘action points’ into ‘potential policy statements’ 8

Pacific HR Core Group The PPSC conference at Cook Islands, 2008 The PPSC conference at Cook Islands, 2008 Theme  Managing and Sustaining the Pacific Public Service Workforce Theme  Managing and Sustaining the Pacific Public Service Workforce Relevant topics: Relevant topics: Good records management Good records management Alignment between traditional values and professionalism in public services Alignment between traditional values and professionalism in public services Strategies for recruiting and retaining Strategies for recruiting and retaining Data collection and service reporting Data collection and service reporting Strategies for talent management Strategies for talent management 9

The regional conference Mediating Group Statements of intentTranslating MechanismPotential Policy Statements Pacific HR Group In-country HR policy 10

The mediating group  The Pacific HR Core Group The mediating group  The Pacific HR Core Group Sponsored by the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) Sponsored by the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) Key facilitator: Ms Helen Woittiez, Assistant Director, International Division, APSC Key facilitator: Ms Helen Woittiez, Assistant Director, International Division, APSC Members: Senior HR Managers from each Pacific PSC Members: Senior HR Managers from each Pacific PSC Show HR Core Group site Show HR Core Group site Pacific HR Core Group 11

HR Core Group remains the most active group HR Core Group remains the most active group Lessons learned: Lessons learned: Mutually agreed mission/goal Mutually agreed mission/goal Relevant and updated content Relevant and updated content Blended interactions – website, f2f workshops, telephone conferencing, online chats, e-list, etc Blended interactions – website, f2f workshops, telephone conferencing, online chats, e-list, etc Variety of technology platforms (e.g. audio- conferencing, listserv, online discussion tools, etc) Variety of technology platforms (e.g. audio- conferencing, listserv, online discussion tools, etc) Identified leaders and champions Identified leaders and champions Key person – The online facilitator whose responsibility for facilitating this group is part of her overall annual work plan Key person – The online facilitator whose responsibility for facilitating this group is part of her overall annual work plan Pacific HR Core Group 12

Role of Online Facilitators Online facilitators: Online facilitators: Create and sustain an online environment where formal/informal learning, including knowledge sharing, takes place Create and sustain an online environment where formal/informal learning, including knowledge sharing, takes place Five key roles: Five key roles: Content Manager Content Manager Moderator of online discussion Moderator of online discussion Knowledge broker Knowledge broker Technical administrator Technical administrator Implementation leader Implementation leader These roles can be delegated to: These roles can be delegated to: Individual Individual Team of specialists Team of specialists 13

Online Facilitator Content manager Create or locate relevant material for community members Moderator of online discussions Moderate online forum and chat sessions Knowledge broker Create knowledge exchange between seekers and providers Technical administrator Manage and support the technical environment Implementation leader Recruit new members and support all members 14

Implications for AVO Assume internet broadband will be more accessible in the future for most public service organisations in the region Assume internet broadband will be more accessible in the future for most public service organisations in the region Reliable and efficient technology platform and web hosting facility Reliable and efficient technology platform and web hosting facility Use other multi-media platforms to complement the Moodle-based AVO website Use other multi-media platforms to complement the Moodle-based AVO website Seek long term funding (say 3 to 5 years) for a full time regional AVO co-ordinator/facilitator Seek long term funding (say 3 to 5 years) for a full time regional AVO co-ordinator/facilitator For the pilot period: For the pilot period: Identify one target group (e.g. MDIs) Identify one target group (e.g. MDIs) Identify one professional practice (e.g. performance management) Identify one professional practice (e.g. performance management) 15

Implications for AVO Allocate one sub-topic to each participating MDI Allocate one sub-topic to each participating MDI Appoint a local facilitator for each MDI who is responsible for facilitating online interactions and the development of the online resources relating to the allocated sub-topic. Appoint a local facilitator for each MDI who is responsible for facilitating online interactions and the development of the online resources relating to the allocated sub-topic. This workload is part of that person’s annual work plan (a key requirement) This workload is part of that person’s annual work plan (a key requirement) Plan for a dedicated facilitators’ workshop Plan for a dedicated facilitators’ workshop Moodle skills and knowledge Moodle skills and knowledge Advanced online facilitation skills Advanced online facilitation skills Set up a facilitators’ community within AVO Set up a facilitators’ community within AVO Any other implications? Any other implications? 16

Questions and discussion 17