Fiji
I'm a senior climate finance and development leader focused on advancing transformational climate action across the Pacific and Asian Small Island Developing States (SIDS). My work centers on strengthening country-driven climate investment pipelines, mobilising public and private finance and translating strategic priorities into high-impact and scalable programmes. I am passionate about championing climate action and have significant experience working with governments, multilateral institutions, accredited entities and regional partners to deliver climate finance in developing countries. With a strong emphasis on strategic leadership, partnership-building and operational execution, I have led diverse teams to improve delivery, governance and results in complex regional and international contexts. I am committed to advancing equitable, resilient and sustainable development outcomes, ensuring that climate finance reaches countries and communities most vulnerable to climate change.
- Define and drive GCF’s investment strategy for the Pacific & Asian SIDS sub-region which currently includes a portfolio of over 30 projects valued at US$1 billion. Focusing on ensuring alignment with programmatic priorities, Fund objectives, and institutional policies. - Develop and manage the investment pipeline, overseeing internal and external clearances up to Board submission. - Drive country-led programming efforts, leveraging Readiness and Preparatory Support and the Project Preparation Facility to enhance project development and implementation in close alignment with the Department of Investment Services. - Lead complex, high-impact projects in the sub-region to advance GCF’s mandate. - Ensure consistent application of all institutional policies. - Deliver on key GCF objectives, including the successful implementation of planned initiatives and capital deployment in line with the 50 by 30 strategic goals. - Lead portfolio implementation and management, making strategic decisions to assess performance, identify risks, and ensure efficient portfolio reviews. - Manage and oversee the Pacific and Asian SIDS team in alignment with the GCF values, ensuring effective performance management, budget administration, and delivery of key annual performance indicators.
Providing strategic leadership over implementation of key projects in the 18 Member States of the Pacific Islands Forum in the areas of sustainable development, climate change finance, disaster risk finance, trade, investment, public finance management, private sector development & fisheries. Providing oversight and management of over 50 staff across 6 locations globally (Suva, Auckland, Sydney, Beijing, Geneva and Tokyo). Key responsibilities include: - Establishing the Pacific Resilience Facility (PRF) - Supporting implementation of Ministerial decisions from the Forum Economic and Trade Ministers' Meetings - Implementation of trade policies, Regional Trade Agreements, WTO issues, regional business process harmonisation and standards, including Aid for Trade priorities - Addressing Pacific Islands Forum Leaders' decision on increasing economic returns from the region's fisheries resources - Implementation of the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) Regional Economic Integration programme - Supporting Forum Island Countries (FICs) in building capacity around Banking, Public Financial Management practices as well as sustainably mobilising resources around climate change financing - Supporting Pacific countries in COP climate negotiations & on resilience building initiatives such as the Pacific Resilience Facility - Developing other projects and initiatives in partnership/enhanced coordination with key donors around building the competitiveness of FIC economies vis a vis other regions including enhanced connectivity, labour mobility, trade, transportation infrastructure etc., adoption of a regional framework on innovation (increased focus on digital transformation, R&D and supporting tech. startups etc.) as well as other key regional priorities articulated by Member States' - Management oversight of the Pacific Trade and Invest (PTI) network of Offices across the globe that works to create market access and investment opportunities for Forum Island Countries
Providing consular services to Fijians living in NSW as well as promoting trade and investment opportunities for Fiji with Australia and New Zealand. Additional responsibilities also include providing technical and policy support to the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism (MITT). This includes performing as Vice-Chair of the Project Steering Committee for the Wairabetia Special Economic Zone project being established in Fiji, Deputy Chair of the Ministry's HR Committee, providing support towards the formulation of Fijian Tourism 2021 - Fiji's national development plan for the tourism sector, contribution towards the establishment of the Central Coordinating Agency (CCA) for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), formulation of the Fiji National Innovation Framework and other key projects being spearheaded by MITT.
Assisting in the programming of the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) Pacific Regional Indicative Programme focal area on Regional Economic Integration (REI) amounting to EUR 50m. Responsibilities include contributing to reviewing & critically analysing project proposals from implementing partners &developing project fiches for consideration by the Regional Steering Committee & Quality Support Groups. Providing technical advice and assistance to Pacific ACP States in the comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiations with the European Commission (EC). Areas of work include fisheries conservation and management measures, rules of origin, customs procedures, sps/tbt, other trade related issues concerning labour, environment, sustainable development and competition as well as broader development cooperation issues covering aid for trade. Coordination and management of the Pacific ACP Trade and Fisheries Officials/Ministers Meetings. Project manager for the Joint Study on a Pacific Island Countries - United States of America development oriented trade and investment arrangement being undertaken with the East West Center and Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency. This has involved in country visits to PNG, Samoa, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia and Fiji as part of the intervention. Currently assisting Solomon Islands, Niue, Cook Islands and Fiji on the formulation of their national trade policy frameworks. Preparation of briefs and statements for the Secretary General on trade related issues in support of the Forum Secretariat's participation at the 2014 Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Conference in Samoa. Providing support to the Aid for Trade unit in the implementation of the Pacific Regional Trade and Development Facility (PRTDF) as part of the Pacific Aid for Trade (AfT) Strategy. Coordination of the Forum Secretariat's participation at the upcoming 2014 ACP Fisheries Ministerial Meeting in Windhoek, Namibia.
Responsible for providing technical advice and support to the 14 Pacific ACP States in the negotiation of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union. This includes undertaking technical analysis and research, preparing technical papers, briefs and presentations as well as contributing to the formulation of negotiating positions and strategies. Technical assistance provided in the formulation of trade policy frameworks (TPFs) for various Pacific ACP States, including Fiji and the Solomon Islands. Currently project manager for the Joint Study on a Development Oriented Trade and Investment Arrangement with the US undertaken in partnership with the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency and the East West Center. Areas of expertise and experience include trade policy, trade negotiations, investment, competition policy, services and procurement under EDF rules.
Representing the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat as a short-term consultant on the UNDP led project to update the Tuvalu Diagnostic Trade Integration Study (DTIS)