The Council is comprised of ten members. Four of the members are appointed by the Head of State and they include: two members of Parliament, an officer of the public service, and a community representative. The other six members include an academic staff member from the PNG University of Technology and the University of Papua New Guinea, a staff representative from the Institute, departmental head of National Planning, one person elected as business representative and the NRI Director. The Council holds four meetings annually and convenes special meetings as necessary. 

Current Council members;

• Mr. Wilson Thompson, ML and Board Chairman
• Dr. Osborne Sanida, Director, PNG NRI
• Mr. Michael Kumung, Department of National Planning and Monitoring Representative
• Mr. Mark Worinu, General Manager, Fresh Produce Development Agency, as the community Representative  
• Associate Professor Ora Renagi, OL, PNG University of Technology Representative
• Prof. Frank Griffin, University of Papua New Guinea Representative
• Hon. Allan Bird, MP, Parliamentary Representative
• Hon. Wera Mori, MP, Parliamentary Representative
• Dr. Francis Odhuno, PNG NRI Staff Representative
• Ms Taies Sansan, Department of Personnel Management (DPM),  Representative from the Public Service. 

The Director is the Head of the Senior Executive Management (SEM) of the Institute who is supported by two Deputies. The Deputy Director Research oversees the Research Division and Knowledge Management Division; and the Deputy Director Corporate oversees the Corporate Services Division.

The Director’s Office is responsible for the overall oversight of the Institute’s operations and also custodian of Council matters. The Director reports to the Council via the Chairman.

• Dr. Osborne Sanida - Director
• Associate Professor Eugene Ezebilo - Deputy Director for Research
• Mr. Kenny Rapea - Deputy Director for Corporate Services

The impact of PNG NRI’s research is measured against the outcomes of the various Research programs and projects. Impact is measured against how research is influencing and shaping policy interventions in the delivery of quality services that benefits the Papua New Guinean people.

Building Safer Communities Program

• Associate Professor Eugene Ezebilo – Program Associate
• Dr. Olugbenga IGE - Senior Research Fellow
• William Kipongi - Research Officer

Development Indicators Program

• Peter Michael Magury – Research Fellow

Economics Policy Program

• Dr. Francis Odhuno – Program Leader/Senior Research Fellow
• Dr. Philip Kavan - Senior Research Fellow
• Ronald Sofe – Research Fellow
• Dr. Osborne Sanida – Program Associate  

Gender in PNG Program

• Dr. Elizabeth Kopel – Program Leader (Jointly)
• Mary Fairio – Research Fellow (Furlough leave)

Governance Program

• Dr. Thomas Webster – Program Leader

Informal Economy Program

• Dr. Elizabeth Kopel – Program Leader/Senior Research Fellow
  Joe Barak Jr - Research Officer

Sustainable Land Development Research Program

• Dr. Lindsay P Kutan – Program Leader and Senior Research Fellow
• Logea Nao – Research Fellow
• Thomas Wangi – Research Fellow (Furlough leave)
• Associate Professor Eugene Ezebilo – Program Associate 

Education Research Program

• Dr. Kilala Devette-Chee – Program Leader/Senior Research Fellow
• Jeremy Goro – Research Fellow

PNG APEC Study Centre Project

• Ronald Sofe – Manager
• Wendy Keimelo – Admin Assistant

Bougainville Referendum Research Project

• Vacant – Project Officer

Autonomy and Decentralisation Research Project

• Dr. Thomas Webster – Project Leader/Professorial Research Fellow
• Joe Harry – Project Officer

The division provides different expertise and support to ensure that the Institute conducts research efficiently and effectively.

Executive Support Section

• Esther Haro – Executive Support Manager
• Lucy Avei – Administrative Assistant, Office of the Director
• Eunice Kivan – Administrative Assistant, Office of the Deputy Director, Research
• Kani Kikman- Administrative Assistant, Office of the Deputy Director, Corporate Services

Human Resources Section

• Anthony Woyengu – Human Resource Manager
• Adrin Manavutah – Human Resource Assistant
• Ruth Ila Mearu – Receptionist

Finance Section

• Vacant – Finance Manager
• Charles Kautil – Senior Finance Officer
• Marie Ann Sundie – Finance Officer
• Brenda Pius – Finance Officer
• Gelma Puruno – Trainee Accounts Clerk

Grounds and Facilities Section

• Logo Lotu – Grounds and Facilities Manager
• Mathew Outapa - Driver
• Rexy Onda – Driver
• Lare-Ori Oatete – Gardener
• Fuki Koyoro – Office Cleaner
• Helen Ombo- Officer
• Dino Guna – Grounds Keeper

Commercial Services Section

• Nou Korema - Commercial Services Manager
• Georgia Kaipu – Commercial Services Coordinator
• Eric Epe – Handyman
• Morie Kamuna – Lodge Caretaker

The division provides different expertise and support to ensure that the Institute conducts research efficiently and effectively.

Information Management Section 

• Naona Ageva – Information Management Systems Manager
• Paul Jagipa – Library Unit Leader
• Martha Vagilama – ICT Help Desk Officer
• Alma Louise Jarigi – Database Officer

Publications and Communications Section 

• Samuel Kehatsin – Publications and Communications Manager
• Samuel Sene – Communications Assistant
• Naomi Wase – Publications Editor

• Julian Melpa - Research Intern, Economic Policy Research Program
• Joseph Kaile - Research Intern, 2022 NGE Observation Research Project
• Evelyn Malala - Research Intern, Informal Economy Research Program
• Samuel Awayang - Research Intern, Sustainable Land Development Research Program
• Joecy Kabiu - Research Intern, Sustainable Land Development Research Program