PNG UNRE appoints new HR Manager

Mr Alex Nona.

When Alex Nona arrived at Papua New Guinea University of Natural Resources and Environment (PNG UNRE) as the new Human Resources Manager, he stepped into a role central to any institution’s stability and long-term growth — managing its people.

With more than a decade of human resource experience across the private sector and higher education, he brought both technical expertise and a reform-minded outlook to a university entering a critical period of expansion and transformation.

Mr Nona’s story begins far from administrative offices and policy manuals.

He comes from a remote community in the upland areas of the Markham District in Morobe Province. He attended Numbugu Community School before progressing to Markham Valley High School for Grades 7–10 and later to Bumayong Secondary School for Grades 11 and 12.

Growing up, his father worked in Lae and was often away, and his mother frequently travelled between the city and their village. This meant he spent much of his childhood on his own, relying on his uncles for guidance in daily village life and seeking protection from God, whom he describes as his “invisible but ever-present dad.”

Mr Nona, who turned 39 this month, is married with four children. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Business Management and a Master of Business Administration from the PNG University of Technology. His career spans major national organisations, including three years in Mt Hagen as the Highlands Regional HR Officer with G4S (PNG) Limited and nine years as Recruitment Manager at PNG UNITECH.

During his time at UNITECH, he leveraged digital tools and social media to strengthen recruitment processes and elevate the institution’s visibility.

“I felt the urge to contribute similar efforts toward transforming UNRE,” he said. “As a change agent, I don’t like seeing things remain the same for too long.”

His move to UNRE, he added, offered a broader professional opportunity — beyond recruitment alone — that would deepen his understanding and practice of other aspects of HR management.

As Human Resources Manager, Mr Nona oversees a division that supports every area of the University’s operations. His daily responsibilities include employee relations, recruitment and selection, policy development, workforce planning, and ensuring transparency and fairness in HR processes. Just as importantly, he is guiding UNRE’s shift toward digitised HR systems to improve efficiency and accountability.

The remote setting of PNG UNRE’s main campus in East New Britain — often described as tranquil and conducive to learning — comes with logistical challenges, but Mr Nona views these as manageable through teamwork and a solutions-oriented mindset.

“I like the remote setting… which for me is an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. This remoteness, however, brings challenges with suppliers, service delivery, and logistics — but these are managed with patience and teamwork,” he said. “I’ve come to see that the systems function because of the commitment of the people behind them, and their efforts truly deserve recognition and reward.”

Mr Nona’s immediate priorities are to:

• Develop an HR Manual to strengthen governance and consistency.

• Streamline recruitment by shifting from hard-copy submissions to online processes for greater efficiency and fairness.

• Review the University’s organisational structure to ensure clear reporting lines and balance between academic and non-academic staff.

• Build HR capacity to better serve employees.

• Streamline payroll and employment records through digital solutions.

He said these initiatives are essential for a university that is expanding its programs, campuses, and national footprint.

Beyond recruitment, Mr Nona places strong emphasis on employee retention, which he said is a critical factor in maintaining continuity and institutional memory.

“It’s not enough to attract talent; we must also create an environment that encourages people to stay and grow,” he said.

He views HR’s role as central to promoting career development, ensuring fair compensation, fostering a supportive workplace culture, and recognising good performance.

“When people feel appreciated and see opportunities for advancement, they naturally remain loyal and committed to the institution,” he added.

Mr Nona said Human Resources is no longer just an administrative support function but a strategic pillar of success in any organisation. At PNG UNRE, where new academic programs and campus developments are underway, HR’s role is therefore vital in ensuring that growth is backed by strong systems and capable people.

“Every new campus, program, or policy depends on having the right people and structures in place. My goal is to ensure that HR systems — from recruitment to performance management — directly support UNRE’s growth strategy,” he said.

Although HR now carries a broader strategic mandate, Mr Nona emphasised that it remains fundamentally a people-focused profession.

He draws motivation from seeing systems strengthened and staff succeed in their roles, and his philosophy is grounded in fairness, balance, and solutions that respect both employer and employee perspectives.

He said emotional intelligence, ethical conduct, and confidentiality are essential qualities in the HR field — and ones he encourages young HR professionals to cultivate. His advice to upcoming HR staff is to build a strong foundation in business principles, learn to balance empathy with objectivity, and always maintain integrity.

Outside work, he enjoys gardening, reading, listening to music, attending church, volunteering, and connecting with people — activities that help him stay grounded.

His life motto, “Letting God’s will be done in my life,” reflects the humility and honesty that those close to him often use to describe him.

As PNG UNRE positions itself for growth, Mr Nona sees a vital opportunity to help shape a stronger, more professional workforce culture.

“PNG UNRE is at a critical stage of transformation and growth, and I’m proud to be part of that journey. My vision is to build an HR Division that upholds transparency, professionalism, and accountability — one that supports our academic mission and creates a work environment where staff feel valued and motivated to perform at their best,” he said.

Welcoming Mr Nona’s appointment, Vice Chancellor Professor Aisak Pue said the timing was critical as UNRE continues to modernise its systems and strengthen institutional capacity.

He said Mr Nona’s experience and reform-driven approach would contribute significantly to improving staff competency and professional standards across the University.

Professor Pue added that strong human resource leadership is essential to supporting UNRE’s academic mission, organisational growth, and long-term sustainability.