A sustainability generalist, with wide ranging skills, knowledge and experience to bring in solving complex problems. Over 12 years experience in the environmental management sector, including government, private industry and the education sector. Experience working across the Pacific Islands delivering training in project design and proposal preparation. Project design, management, implementation and evaluation experience. Experienced trainer and facilitator.
Knowledge and understanding of social, cultural, economic and environmental dimensions of natural resource management (marine & terrestrial) and sustainability, with a focus on community change and adaptation. Extensive practical experience in government and industry, including liaising with community groups and stakeholders, conducting surveys, and report writing. Experienced integrative team player with strong relationship building skills, negotiation and conflict resolution skills, prioritization and multi-tasking abilities, and an ability to operate autonomously.
Lisa is a manager within KPMG’s Climate Change and Sustainability practice. She as over fourteen years experience quantifying and developing solutions to mitigate the impacts from climate change and sustainability. As a civil engineer specialising in climate change and sustainability, Lisa has worked with asset owners to determine how they are best positioned to respond to the impacts of climate change. She has extensive experience interpreting climate models and has worked closely with CSIRO to run specific climate models for clients. She applies her knowledge to understand and consider the risks and uncertainty of climate change to guide and inform decision making for business and government. She has worked across the major infrastructure phases, design, construction and operation, and assets, from buildings, roads, mines, water, costal settlements, electricity to rail. She has practical design and construction experience, which she has applied to develop design solutions to mitigate the short and long term risks posed by climate change. Lisa knows how to evaluate the costs and benefits of adaptation to determine the most optimal adaptation solution (i.e. optimising investment decisions).
Key skills: providing strategic, targeted knowledge network, evaluation and technical services to international environmental and development programs and institutional capacities. Thematic interests and work experience: project design, implementation and results based monitoring: child rights, disability mainstreaming in UN funds and programs, inclusive education sector planning, biodiversity strategic planning, disaster risk reduction , climate change and resilience, natural resources and protected area management, ecosystem services and environmental science. Policy and bottleneck analysis and implementation problem resolution including work in environment sectors, poverty alleviation and education, improved service delivery and transparent government initiatives. Advocacy interests focusing on one UN programming, education for sustainable development, education systems and planning, climate change adaptation, emergencies, disaster risk reduction and resilience. Communication: training and education experience, including organizing and leading workshops. Research: data analysis, writing/editing materials for a wide variety of audiences and preparing content for websites.
Countries of Work Experience: Fiji & Kiribati
Community rep/trainer and advisor: Fiji Locally Managed Marine Areas (FLMMA)
Programme Advisor: Fiji YWCA
Projects Advisor: Lomaiviti Environment Committee/Nabuna Youth Club/Sawana Youth Club
Fiji Financial Literacy Network (Certified Trainer-NCSMED)
Women in Business (Fiji)
Fiji Women's Rights Movement (FWRM)
Emerging Leaders Forum Alumni (ELFA Fiji)
Professional Associate and Alumni member for East West Center
International Pacific Marine Educators Network (IPMEN)
Facilitator for Capacity for Peace and Development (UNDP)
Socio-Economic Officer (October 2005-June 2007)
Sustainable Livelihoods Officer (July 2007-June 2008)
Programme Projects Officer (July 2008-June 2009)
Coastal Management and Inshore Fisheries Programme Field Coordinator (July 09-April 10)
Coastal Management and Inshore Fisheries Programme Coordinator (May 10-to date)
Sustainable Coastal Resource Use Management Programme Coordinator (January 2012-June 2013)
Environmental strategy and policy, specializing in climate change and community development; Project management, M&E, O&M programming, training manual and
module development; Sustainable development tools & frameworks: EMS, SEIA, EIA, ISO; “Triple bottom line” assessments and reporting (social, environmental
and economic factors); Occupational Health, Safety, Security and Quality Assurance
The framework for Ghana will focus on the effective utilisation of Ghana’s existing data sets and draw on institutional capacities within the county to develop the RL and MRV systems. This delivery approach goes beyond technical RL and MRV considerations and is being driven by a participatory process, exploring and strengthening national capacities within Ghana by following the key REDD+ development principles.; Design peer review of a proposed investment to conduct pilot trials in savanna fire management in developing countries, based on the success of savanna fire management in northern Australia. The peer review process is an integral part of the Government’s international climate projects investment design process which aims to ensure consistency with Australia’s climate change objectives, compliance with Financial Management and Accountability Act requirements, AusAID’s Investment Design Quality Standards and Australia’s Comprehensive Aid Policy Framework.; Current engagement includes the leading technical management role to implement the Detailed Design Document for establishing the Kenyan National Carbon Accounting System for the land sector. This programme will put the national system in place over the next 3 years with an emphasis on sustainability and Government of Kenya ownership and functionality.; Facilitation and documentation of the design, performance and specifications for the National Carbon Accounting System for Kenya; Leadership, technical and project management to a team of 12 assessing feasibility and designing a project to support the sustainable management and sustainable financing of the Leuser Ecosystem, Aceh, in line with the focus and priorities of the German Environment Ministry (BMU) International Climate Initiative with the Indonesian Government through KfW; Provision of technical guidance, planning and management support for fire management in peatlands of Central Kalimantan. A wide ranging and evolving assignment that includes research and development on fire management in peat lands, establishing a Fire Management Expert Panel, fire investigation & planning to reduce the impact of fires on Green House Gas emissions
US Army Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Certification
State of Michigan Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Certification
Storm Water Management Program Certification
Advanced Topics in Geographic Information System (GIS) Certification
Countries of Work Experience: USA, Republic of Palau, Republic of Marshall Islands
Principal - Roles and Experience:
2013-2014: RMI, Environmental Specialist, ADB TA No. 8306 RMI - Ebeye Water and Sanitation Project
2011-2012: Palau, Environmental Specialist, ADB TA No. 42439-01 PAL - Palau Sanitation Sector Development Project
2010-2011: Palau, Environmental Specialist, ADB TA No. 7394-REG - Strengthening the Capacity of DMCs to Respond to Climate Change
2008-2009: Paulau, Environmental Specialist, ADB TA No.4977-PAL - Babeldaob Water Supply Project
2001-2007: Palau, Environmental Manager, Palau Compact Road, National Highway Project, US Army Corps of Engineers
Member - Australian Institute of Emergency Services
Member – National Competency Standards for Emergency Management
Member – Development Team (Understanding Emergency Risk Management Training Course
Qualified Trainer and Assessor in Disaster Management
(Certificate IV Workplace Training (Category Two))
Manage the response to the 2010-2011 flooding and cyclones
Manage the response during the flooding of the State Capital, Brisbane
Manage response to Cyclone Yasi and major flooding in South West Queensland in 2012
Establish a consulting business to provide response services to national, state and local governments, business and industry, agencies and community groups involved in disaster/emergency management
Establish comprehensive disaster risk management programming including risk management and mitigation strategies
Wrote guidelines for risk management in the Pacific Island Countries
Comprehensive Hazard and Risk Management (CHARM) guidelines were adopted in the region by the various Island nations
Drafted the Queensland Guidelines for Cyclone Shelter Operations which included his findings from the USA and the experience he gained while managing the flooding and cyclones across Queensland in 2010 to 2012
Building resilience to disaster in the community, economy, infrastructure and the environment
Implement risk studies leading to Risk Management Planning and Mitigation Planning across Queensland and the Pacific Island Countries
Provide operational advice ranging from standard operating procedures to whole of government multi-agency response
Key Achievements:
- Principal author of the Review of the Regulatory Framework for the Port of Darwin – a requirement of the Competition and Infrastructure Reform Agreement (CIRA) under the National Reform Agenda (NRA)- All findings and recommendations of the Review of the Regulatory Framework for the Port of Darwin were approved by Cabinet and have since been implemented. - Successfully advocated to other members on the Northern Territory Climate Change Steering Committee that local-level policies included in the Northern Territory Climate Change Policy Framework should be 'complementary' to the proposed national emissions trading scheme or carbon tax
Over 10+ years consultancy work on climate resilience policy & institutional review; CC project & program design including development of PPDs & financial proposals; MfDR-based corporate planning; M&E/R; Organisation Review; Community development/assessments etc for Samoa and the Pacific. Designed & developed the Pacific Island owned Rapid Response Fund & Regional Technical Support Mechanism (ADB funded; SPREP implemented; overall guidance by WARD/CROP agencies). National consultant for several projects including PPCR Samoa country track; DRM/DRR Act/policy review; CRPD impacts ratification for GoSamoa etc. SQA/NUS Professional Unit Certified Adult/Community Trainer- conducted in-country training & workshops/forum including the 2015 post-SIDS Joint CSO Forum (CSSP SUNGO/GEF-SGP/PIANGO) for Samoa. 20+ years experience in Pacific island project design, management & implementation in the areas of environmental information, knowledge management and clearinghouse mechanisms.
Ainsof So’o is the Systems Developer/Analyst for the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) based in Apia, Samoa. He currently maintains and develops corporate applications and web applications for SPREP and its member countries and territories. Mr. So’o has also developed database systems and websites for Individuals, Businesses and Government Ministries whilst working in the private sector.
Mr. So’o is a recipient of the prestigious Australian Leadership Award where he attained a Master of Information Technology in Software Architecture from the Queensland University of Technology as well as leadership training. He also holds a Bachelor of Computing Systems from New Zealand and a PRINCE2 Project Management certification.
Knowledge and Management Specialist
Climate Financing Specialist
Disaster Relief/Management Specialist
Environmental and social safeguards specialist
Economist [Cost-Benefit Analysis of CC]
Director at the Solomon Islands Financial Intelligence Unit
Community Trainer Specialist
Capacity Building Specialist
Credit Control Supervisor at National Bank of Solomon Islands
Manager Finance at DIDAO Development, Solomon Islands
Countries of Work Experience: Solomon Islands