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, Acting Chairman
• Dr. Osborne Sanida, Director, PNG NRI
• Ms. Maria Louise Wau, DNPM Representative
• Mr. William Hapipai, DPM Representative
• Dr. Ora Renagi, UNITECH Representative
• Prof. Betty Lovai, UPNG Representative
• Hon. Dr. Allan Marat, MP, Parliamentary Representative
• Hon. Muthuvel Sasindran, MP, Parliamentary Representative
• Associate Prof. Eugene Ezebilo, Staff Representative
• Business Representative (Vacant)

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, PNG NRI
• Dr. Esther Lavu, Acting Deputy Director – Corporate Services & Knowledge Management
• Vacant, Deputy Director, Research

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

• Dr Fiona Hukula – Program Leader/Senior Research Fellow
• Monica Kolkia – Project Officer

Development Indicators Program

• Dr Esther Lavu – Program Leader
• Peter Michael Magury – Research Fellow
• Cathy Tukne – Project Officer

Economics Policy Program

• Dr Francis Onduno – Program Leader/Senior Research Fellow
• Ronald Sofe – Research Fellow

Gender in PNG Program

• Dr Fiona Hukula and Dr Elizabeth Kopel – Program Leaders (jontly)
• Mary Fairio – Research Fellow
• Sarah Kaut Nasengom – Project Officer
• Cathy Keimelo – Project Officer

Governance Program

• Dr Thomas Webster – Program Leader

Informal Economy Program

• Dr Elizabeth Kopel – Program Leader/Senior Research Fellow
• Lewis Iwong – Project Officer

Property Sector Development Program

• Associate Professor Eugene Ezibelo – Program Leader/Senior Research Fellow
• Thomas Wangi – Research Fellow
• Logea Nao – Research Fellow
• Maureen Thomas – Project Officer

Universal Basic Education Program

• Dr Kilala Devette-Chee – Program Leader/Senior Research Fellow
• Jeremy Goro – Research Fellow
• Daphney Kollin – Project Officer

PNG APEC Study Centre Project

• Jason Sawera – Communications Officer
• Wendy Keimelo – Admin Assistant

Bougainville Referendum Research Project

• Dr Thomas Webster – Project Leader/Professorial Research Fellow
• Martha Waim – Project Officer
• Janet Rowaro – Communications Officer

Research Projects

• Steven Ilave, Manager – Research projects
• Eunice Kivan – Administrative Assistant, Office of the Deputy Director, Research

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

Corporate Services

Esther Haro – Executive Support Manager
Walo Wayne – Human Resource Manager
Ricky Daniel – Finance Manager
Logo Lotu – Grounds and Facilities Manager
Georgia Kaipu – Commercial Services Coordinator
Charles Kautil – Senior Finance Officer
Lucy Avei – Administrative Assistant, Office of the Director
Kani Kikman- Administrative Assistant, Office of the Deputy Director, Corporate Services
Adrin Manavutah – Human Resource Assistant
Ruth Ila Mearu – Receptionist
Mathew Outapa - Driver
Rexy Onda – Driver
Eric Epe – Handyman
Marie Ann Sundie – Finance Officer
Brenda Pius – Finance Officer
Gelma Puruno – Trainee Accounts Clerk
Lare-Ori Oatete – Gardener
Fuki Koyoro – Office Cleaner
Helen Ombo- Officer
Dino Guna – Grounds Keeper
Morie Kamuna – Lodge Caretaker

Knowledge Management

Samuel Kehatsin – Digital Media Unit Leader
Jennifer Parina – Editorial Unit Leader
Lancelot Gerawa – ICT Unit Leader
Paul Jagipa – Library Unit Leader
Joshua Nawason – Database Unit Leader
Francis Gabriel – Research Communications Specialist
Samuel Sene – Communications Assistant
Martha Vagilama – ICT Help Desk Officer
Alma Louise Jarigi – Database Officer