Minister
The Commission was overseen during this period by two Ministers:
- from 1 July to 1 October 2023 the then Minister for Government Services, the Hon. Danny Pearson MP; and
- from 2 October 2023 onwards the Premier, Hon. Jacinta Allan MP.
Organisational structure
Commissioner
Brigid Monagle is the Commissioner of the Victorian Public Sector Commission. Brigid commenced as Victorian Public Sector Commissioner in April 2023. Before being appointed Commissioner, Brigid acted as Secretary for the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) and before that was the department’s Associate Secretary. Prior, Brigid held various Deputy Secretary roles in DFFH from its formation in February 2021 and the Department of Premier and Cabinet. She holds a Masters of Public Policy from Victoria University of Wellington and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from the University of Melbourne.
Deputy Commissioner
Ella McPherson is the Deputy Commissioner of the Victorian Public Sector Commission. She joined the Commission in November 2021 and was Acting Commissioner from 26 June 2023 to 02 July 2023, 22 December 2023 to 14 January 2024 and from 28 March 2024 to 7 April 2024 inclusive.
Ella held senior roles in communications, change strategy, executive and ministerial services and knowledge management, before taking on the role of Chief Operating Officer for the Victorian School Building Authority. Her last role before joining the Commission was Assistant Deputy Secretary, Schools and Regional Service and COVID-19 Commander for the Department of Education and Training. She has Masters qualifications in Communications, Business Administration and Law.
Organisational chart
This chart reflects the Commission’s organisational structure at 30 June 2024.
Chart summary
Commissioner
- Brigid Monagle
Deputy Commissioner
- Ella McPherson
Executive Directors
- Sarah Gruner, Integrity and Data Insights
- Sam Hannah-Rankin, Workforce Development and Innovation
Workgroups
Integrity and Data Insights:
- Integrity and Oversight – Annie Tinney, Director
- Insights and Advisory – Ko-Chen Wu, Director
Policy and Programs:
- Workforce Policy and Innovation – Meghan Lew, Director
- Equity, Leadership and Capability – Claire Mumme, Director
Office of the Deputy Commissioner:
- Corporate and Digital Services – Christian Hofmann, Director
- Communications and Engagement – 2023 Claire Butler
2024 Katie Elliott and Anna Prytz (job-share), Manager
Governance
The Commission is a statutory authority accountable to the Premier. Its integrity functions are independent from ministerial direction or control. For administrative arrangements, the Commission is supported by the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
Advisory Board
During this period the Advisory Board consisted of the Chair Jeremi Moule, Secretary, Department of Premier and Cabinet, and three appointees of the former Minister for Government Services, Tasneem Chopra OAM, Professor Janine O’Flynn and Greg
Smith AM.
The role of the Advisory Board is to provide to the Commission:
- advice in relation to the preparation of the annual plan and strategic plan of the Commission; and
- strategic advice in relation to matters relevant to the objectives and functions of the Commission.
The Advisory Board meets quarterly.
Audit and Risk Management Committee
The Commission has an Audit and Risk Management Committee. The Committee consists of the following members:
- Cynthia Lahiff, Chair (independent member)
- Shaun Condron (independent member)
- Annie Tinney (non-executive member)
The committee provides independent assurance and advice to the Commissioner on the Commission’s audit risk, control and compliance framework, and its statutory financial reporting obligations.
The committee is responsible for:
- improving the Commission’s effectiveness and efficiency
- ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations
- coordinating audits, considering recommendations and implementing actions
- overseeing operation of the risk management framework
- reviewing the annual report and financial information.
In 2023-24, internal auditors performed a review of the Commission’s cyber security related systems, controls and processes. The audit concluded that the Commission has put in a considerable amount of effort in aligning with the controls specified within the Small Business Guide prescribed by ACSC. The audit highlighted areas for further improvement in cyber awareness and further improvements to enhance access management related practices.
A comprehensive review of the Commission’s contract management function was conducted, focusing on internal controls and processes related to tendering and contract management.
The audit highlighted several strengths, including robust policies and procedures to support staff, appropriate procurement threshold settings, and the maintenance of a detailed contract register. However, the audit also recommended areas for enhancement, specifically in strengthening internal reporting on tendering and procurement activities, improving training materials, and conducting regular reviews of the contract Register.
Our people
The Commission knows that to deliver great outcomes for the Victorian public sector, we need to focus on our people, and on making the Commission a great place to work.
The Commission continued to progress items in line with our people and culture plan, which sets out our priority focus areas and actions that will support us in building a capable and credible organisation that supports the Victorian public sector to deliver.
Supporting a safe, inclusive and respectful workplace
The Commission wants everyone to be able to be themselves at work, to feel safe, respected and able to speak up, and have the support and tools they need to do their jobs.
It continues to ensure people are aware of their obligations and responsibilities under the VPS code of conduct and relevant policies through our induction program and internal engagement channels.
In addition, this year the Commission has:
- developed a new Workplace Adjustment Policy and Guideline, to support the Commission in providing an accessible and inclusive workplace where people with disability can participate fully in all aspects of employment
- acknowledged key points in the calendar to celebrate diversity and inclusion in our workplace, for example Wear it Purple Day, IDAHOBIT, International Women’s Day, International Day of People with Disability, NAIDOC and Cultural Diversity Week
- facilitated discussions in our staff meetings on a range of wellbeing and inclusion topics including how the employee assistance program can help staff navigate change, the importance of building accessibility into our everyday work, and exploring the results from our staff survey.
Building our capability
The Commission’s approach to building knowledge and skills recognises that much of its learning and development comes through experiential and social learning in the workplace and a smaller proportion from formal training.
To support this approach, this year the Commission has:
- embedded a learning and development plan into our performance and development plan process
- increased the use of our internal communication channels and platforms to showcase the breadth of learning and development opportunities available to us
- undertaken a range of knowledge sharing activities at the Branch and team levels, to build skills and capabilities
- focused on building reflective practice more purposefully into how we work, through retrospectives on key projects and regular opportunities to reflect on what’s working and where we can improve.
The Commission has also supported staff to participate in a range of formal learning programs, including public sector short courses, micro-credential programs and leadership development programs. Staff have also been supported to undertake higher duties and secondments, providing them with valuable experience to support their learning and career development.
Connected and working together
As an organisation we are more than the sum of our parts, and to deliver great work the Commission needs to draw on the full range of expertise and experience across our teams.
This year the Commission has:
- developed a common approach to how we collaborate and built this into our performance development plans
- established cross-Commission, multi-disciplinary teams to deliver all our key strategic initiatives
- included reflective practice in personal development plans to promote collaboration and continuous improvement in practices, processes, programs and policies that contribute to better outcomes across the VPS.