Job Description

Job Title : DIVISIONAL QUARTERMASTER (Code- 6027)


Experience: - Years

Job Description / Responsibilities:

1. PURPOSE

To ensure effective firearms record management and the integrity of RPNGC-controlled firearms database records nationwide, and to provide oversight of all Regional and Provincial OIC Firearms/Armourers, in support of a professionally dressed and correctly resourced and equipped Force to serve the people of Papua New Guinea.

2. DIMENSIONS

The OIC-Firearms does not hold financial delegation as a Section 32 Officer or Authorised Requisitioning Officer under the Public Finances (Management) Act 1995; financial and expenditure delegation for the Supply Directorate rests with the Director – Supply. The position directly supervises the Force Armourer, FQM, and exercises functional oversight of Regional and Provincial OIC Firearms/Armourers nationwide on firearms record-keeping and reporting matters:

Budget: NA
Expenditure Limitations: NA (no financial delegation)
Staff Ceiling: 1 direct (Force Armourer, FQM)

3. PRINCIPLE ACCOUNTABILITIES

  • Effective firearms record management and integrity of RPNGC-controlled firearms database records nationwide.
  • Sound oversight and coordination of all Regional and Provincial OIC Firearms/Armourers on firearms record-keeping, reporting and compliance matters.
  • Timely and accurate compilation and submission of Monthly, Quarterly and Half-Yearly firearms returns to the Commissioner of Police (as Registrar of Firearms) and the Director – Supply.
  • Sound custody, accountability and administration of firearms and ammunition held at FQM, in support of the Commissioner of Police as Registrar of Firearms.
  • Effective supervision of the Force Armourer, FQM, and the FQM armoury function.
  • Prompt identification, investigation and reporting of anomalies, losses or discrepancies in firearms holdings or records.
  • Compliance of all firearms administration with the Firearms Act 1978, RPNGC procurement and stores procedures, and the Police Act 1998.

4. MAJOR DUTIES

  • Maintain and safeguard the integrity of the RPNGC controlled firearms database, ensuring all firearms records are accurate, complete and up to date.
  • Receive, review and consolidate mid-year and Monthly, Quarterly and Half-Yearly firearms returns from Regional and Provincial OIC Firearms/Armourers, and notify the Commissioner of Police of anomalies.
  • Provide oversight, guidance and quality assurance to all Regional and Provincial OIC Firearms/Armourers on firearms record-keeping and reporting standards.
  • Supervise the Force Armourer, FQM, on the receipt, issue, repair referral and disposal of firearms and ammunition.
  • Receive surplus, unserviceable or damaged weapons and ammunition returned from Divisions and Regions, and coordinate their replacement, repair or Board of Survey action.
  • Coordinate the dispatch of ammunition orders through the authorised chain (PPC/PSC – Command Secretariat – DCP Operations – ACP Public Safety – ACP Logistics – FQM) for issue by the Force Armourer.
  • Maintain armoury key-holder records and coordinate with Regional and Provincial armouries on key custody, security upgrades and compliance with armoury safe-custody requirements.
  • Authorise or recommend referral of unserviceable weapons to non-Police repair agencies where required.
  • Investigate and report on the loss or theft of firearms or ammunition, and refer findings to the Commissioner of Police and ACP Logistics.
  • Prepare and submit periodic firearms accountability reports and key performance indicators to the OIC FQM and Director – Supply.
  • Liaise with the Commissioner of Police (as Registrar of Firearms), ACP Logistics, DCP Operations, Internal Affairs and provincial police establishments on firearms accountability matters.
  • Conduct or coordinate audits and inspections of Regional and Provincial armouries and firearms registers.
  • Perform other lawful duties as directed by the OIC FQM.

5. NATURE AND SCOPE

The role of the Supply Directorate is to provide a professionally dressed and correctly resourced and equipped Force to serve the people of Papua New Guinea, delivering best in class supply service to the entire Force nationwide. The Force Quartermaster (FQM) is the Supply Directorate's central stores, uniform, firearms/armoury, inventory and shipping/movements section, based at PHQ, Gordons, Port Moresby. Firearms held by the Constabulary are registered and controlled under the Firearms Act 1978, under which the Commissioner of Police is the statutory Registrar of Firearms. The OIC-Firearms supports the Commissioner in this role by maintaining the integrity of the RPNGC controlled firearms database and records, and by providing oversight of all Regional and Provincial OIC Firearms/Armourers on the compilation and submission of Monthly, Quarterly and Half-Yearly firearms returns. The position directly supervises the Force Armourer, FQM, who is responsible for the physical serviceability, maintenance and armoury custody of Force firearms, while the OIC-Firearms is responsible for the accuracy and integrity of the records that account for those firearms nationwide. The position holds no financial delegation; financial and expenditure authority for the Directorate rests with the Director – Supply. The position of OIC-Firearms is based at PHQ, Gordons, Port Moresby.

 

5.1 WORKING RELATIONSHIP

(a) Internal

OIC FQM; Force Armourer, FQM; Director – Supply (on significant matters); Commissioner of Police (as Registrar of Firearms, through the chain of command); ACP Logistics; Regional and Provincial OIC Firearms/Armourers; Provincial Police Commanders; Internal Affairs; OIC Regional QMS; OIC Shipping & Movements.

(b) External

Liaises, consults and at times work collaboratively with:

Where required, liaison with the National Weapons and Ammunition Registry, non-Police firearms repair agencies, and other lawful bodies on firearms accountability and record matters.

5.2 WORK ENVIRONMENT

The OIC-Firearms is a senior appointment within the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary and reports directly to the OIC FQM, supporting the Commissioner of Police's statutory role as Registrar of Firearms under the Firearms Act 1978. It is one of seven functional areas coordinated under the OIC FQM within the Supply Directorate, and directly supervises the Force Armourer, FQM.

The OIC-Firearms is primarily an office-based, records-focused role at PHQ, Gordons, concerned with the accuracy and integrity of the RPNGC controlled firearms database, and with the oversight, quality assurance and consolidation of firearms returns submitted by Regional and Provincial OIC Firearms/Armourers nationwide. Key duties include supervising the Force Armourer, FQM, on the receipt, issue and disposal of firearms and ammunition, investigating and reporting anomalies, losses or discrepancies, and liaising with the Commissioner of Police, ACP Logistics and Internal Affairs on firearms accountability matters. The role holds no financial or expenditure delegation of its own.

6. CONSTRAINTS FRAMEWORK AND BOUNDARIES

6.1 Rules/procedures

The incumbent in fulfilling the responsibilities of this position will ensure that all functions abide by the following legislation and Constabulary Standing Orders but not limited to:

The Firearms Act 1978, RPNGC procurement and stores procedures (CSO 5.1 and 5.5), the Public Finances (Management) Act 1995, the Police Act 1998, and the National Procurement Act 2018

6.2 Decisions

Decides day-to-day firearms record-keeping, returns-compilation and reporting matters within established procedure, and informs the OIC FQM accordingly. Holds no delegated financial or expenditure authority.

6.3 Recommendations

• Makes recommendations on matters relating to firearms record management, database integrity, and Regional/Provincial firearms reporting to the OIC FQM.

6.4 Behaviour

The incumbent behaves in a manner that complements the Constabulary’s Code of Ethics.

7. CHALLENGES

  • Sound firearms accountability is crucial to policing and to public safety, as it ensures the Constabulary's firearms holdings are accurately recorded, properly controlled and available for lawful operational use in serving the people of Papua New Guinea. Maintaining the integrity of a nationwide firearms database and reconciling returns from Regional and Provincial OIC Firearms/Armourers, while promptly identifying and reporting anomalies, losses or discrepancies, is the major challenge of this position.
  • The position is ranked at the RPNGC Uniform rank of TBC and is within the operational leadership levels of the Constabulary. The position holder is required to maintain firearms record integrity nationwide without independent financial delegation, and to establish effective working relationships with the Commissioner of Police, ACP Logistics, Internal Affairs and Regional/Provincial OIC Firearms/Armourers in support of the Constabulary's firearms accountability obligations under the Firearms Act 1978.
  • The OIC-Firearms is responsible to the OIC FQM. This position's primary role involves maintaining the integrity of the RPNGC controlled firearms database, ensuring firearms returns are properly compiled, recorded and reported, and proactively liaising with the Commissioner of Police and ACP Logistics on firearms accountability matters. Members who fail to report loss or theft of firearms, or who misappropriate or fail to account for firearms in their care, are subject to disciplinary action under the Police Act 1998.
  • The position also bears responsibility for the day-to-day supervision of the Force Armourer, FQM, and the FQM armoury function. The incumbent plays a critical role in maintaining firearms record integrity and oversight of Regional and Provincial firearms record-keeping in line with the Firearms Act 1978 and RPNGC procurement and stores policies/objectives, to support best in class supply service and operational readiness throughout the country.
  • Conduct or coordinate audits and inspections of Regional and Provincial armouries and firearms registers, and investigate and report on the loss or theft of firearms or ammunition. The job holder is challenged to provide firearms accountability status updates and information to the OIC FQM at any time or as required.

8. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCES AND SKILLS

(a) Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Criminology, Records/Information Management or a relevant tertiary qualification in a related field.
  • Must attend and pass relevant RPNGC firearms/armoury management courses.

(b) Knowledge

  • In-depth knowledge of the Firearms Act 1978, including the Commissioner of Police's role as Registrar of Firearms, firearms registration and record-keeping requirements, and safe-custody obligations.
  • Knowledge of firearms/armoury management, accountability and reporting practices, including Monthly, Quarterly and Half-Yearly returns processes.
  • Knowledge of RPNGC procurement and stores procedures and the Public Finances (Management) Act 1995, including accountable officer duties and the limits of requisition-approval authority under Section 32 of that Act.
  • Knowledge of the National Procurement Act 2018, including procurement thresholds and the prohibition on splitting procurement to avoid them.
  • Knowledge of the Police Act 1998, Constabulary Standing Orders and the Public Service Code of Business Ethics and Conduct, including disciplinary provisions relating to loss, theft or misappropriation of Force property.

(c) Skills

  • Leadership and supervisory abilities.
  • Strong organisational and record-keeping skills.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, particularly in reconciling and auditing records.
  • Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Ability to maintain database and records integrity across a nationwide network of reporting units without direct financial delegation.
  • Ability to work under pressure and meet reporting deadlines.
  • Comprehensive understanding of Constabulary firearms, logistics and procurement procedures.

(d) Work Experience

  • At least 7-10 years’ experience in firearms/armoury administration, records management, stores or quartermaster operations, including supervisory or management experience.
  • Demonstrated experience maintaining accountable records or database systems across multiple or remote reporting units.

Educational Qualification:

Job Type:

Contractual

Working Hours:

hours weekly

Language Requirements:

English

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