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. Sam Basil Jnr, MP, Parliamentary Representative
• Dr. Francis Odhuno, PNG NRI Staff Representative
• Mr William Hapipai, 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.

Education Research Program

• Dr. Kilala Devette-Chee – Program Leader and Senior Research Fellow
• Peter Michael Magury – Research Fellow

Economics Policy Research Program

• Dr. Francis Odhuno – Program Leader and Associate Professorial Research Fellow
• Dr. Philip Kavan - Senior Research Fellow
• Ronald Sofe – Research Fellow
• Ms. Julian Melpa - Project officer
• Dr. Osborne Sanida – Program Associate  

National Security and International Relations Research Program

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

Politics and Governance Research Program

• Jeremy Goro – Research Fellow
• Joseph Kaile - Project Officer
• Associate Professor Eugene Ezebilo – Program Associate
• Dr. Osborne Sanida – Program Associate  

Society and Culture Research Program

• Dr. Elizabeth Kopel – Program Leader and Senior Research Fellow
• Mary Fairio – Research Fellow (StudyLeave)
• Joe Barak Jr - Research Officer
• Ms. Evelyn Malala - Project 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)
• Samuel Awayang - Project Officer
• Ms. Joecy Kabiu - Project Officer
• Associate Professor Eugene Ezebilo – Program Associate 

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 and 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 Talent Manager
• Adrin Manavutah – Human Talent 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
• Eric Epe – Handyman
• 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
• Morie Kamuna – Lodge Caretaker

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

Information Management System 

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

Communications and Publications 

• Samuel Kehatsin – Communications and Publications Manager
• Samuel Sene – Publications 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