PORT VILA, May 15, 2026. The Office of the Public Service Commission (OPSC) is finalizing its Organizational Capacity Review with technical assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) from 4th May to 13th May 2026. 

This initiative implements the Memorandum of Understanding signed on 7 November 2025 between ADB, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management, and OPSC, with the Vanuatu Institute of Public Administration and Management (VIPAM) serving as the focal point. The agreement represents a major collaboration to strengthen the capacity of Vanuatu’s public service.

Under VIPAM’s coordination, OPSC unit managers and VIPAM staff have been engaged in the final stages of the Organizational Capacity Review, alongside the development of a Competency Dictionary. This framework will guide OPSC in addressing Vanuatu’s public service capacity development needs.

In October 2025, ADB and VIPAM conducted a scoping mission with key public service units under OPSC. The mission focused on creating a demand-driven framework for institutional and capacity development across the public sector. The resulting Scope of Work has enabled VIPAM, OPSC, and the Government of Vanuatu to identify and prioritize initiatives most critical to the country.

The framework, informed by ADB’s technical expertise and building on the study Public Service Capacity Development Needs of Vanuatu, is designed to remain flexible and responsive to emerging needs. The mission highlighted several priority areas, including organizational reviews, competency frameworks, training needs analysis, digital learning systems, performance management, and the development of core training programs.

ADB’s support aims to establish sustainable pathways for capacity development by strengthening institutions, aligning workforce planning with national priorities, modernizing training systems, and introducing clear monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.