Optimizing the Role of the Department Secretary in Strengthening the Governance of Village Community Empowerment Programs in Intan Jaya Regency

Abstract

This study examines the role of the Department Secretary of the Department of Community and Village Empowerment (Dinas Pemberdayaan Masyarakat dan Kampung, DPMK) in strengthening the governance of village community empowerment programs in Intan Jaya Regency, Papua Tengah Province, Indonesia. The research aimed to analyze the Department Secretary's position in program management, to describe the governance mechanisms currently applied, and to formulate strategies for optimizing the Secretary's role in support of more effective, transparent, and accountable program implementation. A qualitative descriptive design was employed, with data collected through in-depth interviews, non-participant observation, and documentation review involving five key informants selected through purposive sampling: the head of the department, two division heads, the head of the finance subdivision, and one community leader/village head. Data were analyzed using the interactive model of reduction, display, and conclusion drawing/verification, with credibility ensured through source and method triangulation. The findings show that the Department Secretary occupies a strategic position that extends beyond routine administration to encompass coordination, planning, organizing, supervision, and organizational resource management. Governance of the empowerment program generally follows established regional government mechanisms, yet it continues to face constraints in human resource capacity, internal coordination, budget availability, geographic accessibility, and monitoring systems. Optimization of the Secretary's role can be achieved through capacity building for civil servants, more structured internal coordination, digitalization of administrative systems, strengthened monitoring and evaluation, and expanded community participation. The study concludes that the effectiveness of village community empowerment governance is closely tied to how professionally, transparently, and accountably the Department Secretary performs the managerial function, offering practical implications for local governments operating in geographically challenging regions such as Intan Jaya.