The Office of the Public Service Commission (OPSC) has officially introduced a digital performance management tool aimed at enhancing accountability and tracking the performance of Director Generals across Vanuatu’s 13 government ministries.

The tool, known as Smartsheet, was introduced to senior executives by OPSC Senior HRMIS Officer Mr. Sohesohemoli Antas, on October 1st during a Basic Smartsheet training on Performance Agreement with Contracted SEOs, held at the Multipurpose Hall of the Ministry of the Prime Minister in Port Vila, Efate.

In his opening remarks, Secretary of the Public Service Commission, Mr. James Melteres, emphasized the significance of the initiative.

 “Today marks an important step forward in how we manage performance across the public service. Earlier this year, amendments were passed through Parliament—via Department of Communication and Digital Transformation (DCT)—and integrated into the Public Service Act to strengthen performance management not only at the executive level but across all levels of the public service,” he said.

Mr. Melteres noted that in previous years, performance agreements were managed manually using paper-based systems. “With this ICT-based tool, we now have the ability to monitor performance more effectively. Smartsheet is part of our 2025 Business Plan and will help us track progress in real time and also ministers would be given the access to view their own ministry performance,” he added.

The Smartsheet platform allows for daily performance tracking and live data recording. All activities of Director Generals are now uploaded into the system, enabling better oversight of business plan implementation. The tool also supports the generation of annual reports, which ministries are required to submit to the PSC.

Looking ahead, the PSC plans to expand the use of Smartsheet in 2026 to include all ministry business plans and incorporate Directors into the system, further strengthening performance accountability across the public sector.