Inclusion champion Mohammad Draman is passionate about SMART job crafting at work.
As Acting Director Human Resources at the Department of Communities, Mohammad Draman, known as Jaz, brings more than 30 years of Human Resources public sector experience and a deep commitment and passion for inclusion and belonging in the workplace.
Born on Christmas Island and raised in the Pilbara in the early 1970 and 1980s, Jaz's upbringing was steeped in culture, community, and heritage. His family later settled in Katanning, where he deepened his understanding of religion, rituals, traditions and community - which shaped his world view and leadership philosophy.
Proud of his lineage, Jaz carries the strength and legacy of his Iban Dayak ancestors, the indigenous people of Sarawak, Borneo.
His shoulder tattoos bear the markings of a 'quest' - a reflection of growth, transformation, and learnings gained along his own path of change.
Jaz started his public sector career in 1989 as a business trainee, becoming a permanent Level 1 officer in 1990. He later graduated as a mature-age student from Curtin University in HR Management and has held a variety of HR roles.
Before he joined Communities in April 2024, Jaz was a Workforce Design Manager at the Department of Justice, where he led workforce initiatives to enhance role clarity through SMART job design - an approach he champions for building psychologically safe and thriving workplaces.
"If we get role clarity right, we help people understand what, why and how they are doing the work… and how to do it well. Good job crafting leads to better outcomes for everyone."
Currently, he oversees several key HR functions, including Strategic Workforce Capability, Workplace Relations, and HR Business Partnering.
He is also actively contributing to the Public Sector Reform 2025 program, with a particular focus on the people side of change and its organisational implications.
Jaz adopts the PROSCI ADKAR® model to guide organisations through change, so initiatives are adopted and sustained with meaningful impact.
A strong advocate for the Building Leadership Impact initiative, Jaz values its role in shaping effective leadership behaviours. His current role is challenging but enjoyable.
"We've got really good people at Communities, everyone wants to do their best and be surrounded by good people, it's important for people to want to come to work."
He now proudly uses Mohammad in his email signature - a meaningful shift from the nickname "Jaz," given because people struggled to pronounce his name, Jasman (pronounced Juss-Munn).
This change reflects a journey of self-acceptance and integration while growing up as a minority in the Pilbara, which came with its own set of challenges.
"There were times when that 'difference' was hard to manage - your name, your 'look', what you ate, how you spoke, and the colour of your skin."
These experiences taught him how deeply identity influences belonging. Yet, he believes there are good people wherever you go.
"Tolerance and understanding are important virtues to educate others about any culture and community," he says. "Tell a real story and create the connection."
He loves living in WA - the sun, surf, warmth and space it offers, and has four children aged 11 to 29. He dreams of retiring to a simple life. Maybe back to Christmas Island - to fish every day. He is currently selling the idea to his wife Maria so they can do so when he retires.
The Department of Communities is always looking for dedicated individuals to join our team. To view our current opportunities, visit our careers page .
