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  • Leanne has 25 years of experience designing and coordinating the successful delivery of projects all over the world in the Pacific, Caribbean, and Southeast Asia, including tracking the implementation of projects to drive successful outcomes. She has a background in natural resource management (community-based conservation and livelihoods), disaster risk management, and adaptation and resilience.

    Leanne has worked with a range of government, multi-lateral donor, regional development, local government, and non-government organizations. She has worked as a strategic and reserves planner for the New Zealand Department of Conservation; a Community Development Officer in the Preah Sihanouk UNDP national park project in Cambodia; and spent half her working life working with the UNDP Global Environment Facility (GEF) on the large and Small Grants Programmes (SGP). Initially with the SGP in the Eastern Caribbean, later in the Pacific with co-financing from NZ MFAT and Australia DFAT, and subsequently managing the introduction and implementation of climate change adaptation funding for all SIDS eligible for SGP grants. Leanne has also worked as part of the three-person project management unit for the GEF/SOPAC Integrated Water Resource Management programme in the Pacific. She has also worked on the EU-funded Caribbean Regional Environment Programme establishing amenity areas including design and participatory monitoring frameworks as well as conducting regular monitoring during implementation.

    As Senior International Programmes Manager for Disaster Risk Management, Climate Change Adaptation & Humanitarian Response in the Pacific and South Asia, administered by Save the Children New Zealand (SCNZ), Leanne co-designed projects, co-developed monitoring frameworks, conducted regular monitoring and reporting, and facilitated mid-term reviews and external evaluations for SCNZ’s resilience programming. She represented SCNZ on the National Disaster Relief Forum (2016 & 2020); represented SCNZ on the SC International Global DRR technical working group; Pacific DRR technical working group; Asia Regional Office Climate Change DRR technical working group; and the MFAT NZ DRR Working Group. She currently leads monitoring and evaluation for the MFAT Africa Geothermal Facility to ensure the Facility meets targets and advises sub-contractors on developing aligned impact measurement frameworks.

    Her experience in the Pacific includes work in Fiji, Tuvalu, Nauru, Kiribati, Samoa, Niue, and the Cook Islands, among others. She has worked from the policy/government to the NGO, CSO and community level and is an advocate of approaches that build local capability and foster local leadership and engagement at all levels.

    Leanne has experience in the local context of climate change on Tuvalu: she served as the lead consultant in the Early Warning Early Action project by the IFRC Climate Center 2021 - 2022, conducting research, working with local research teams (remotely), and producing final reports for Tuvalu and Palau. She has also supported Tuvalu counterparts in her regional coordination roles on the GEF IWRM project, GEF SGP, and MFAT Pacific Environment Fund. Leanne understands the reality of human resource limitations within the Tuvalu government, the critical role NGO stakeholders play in resilience and adaptation in Tuvalu, as well as the challenges of communication and travel to the outer islands. Leanne will bring her skills in successfully implementing and tracking programmes, her experience in the Pacific and her many years of experience in international development to support the team in the development of Tuvalu’s National Adaptation Plan.

  • Fifteen years managing development finance in Europe, Africa and Asia-Pacific and six years in small island developing states. Expert building country systems and partnerships for development. Climate change, resilience building, infrastructure, gender equality, blue/green economy, public health, education and governance program experience.

  • US Registered Civil Engineer and Certified Water Treatment Operator, with extensive Pacific Island (Hawaii, Guam, CNMI, Palau, RMI, FSM) Drinking Water (DW) and Water Resource Management (WRM) experience. 24 years with the US Environmental Protection Agency in a wide range of DW and WRM activities, in California, Hawaii and Micronesia. 2 years as the sole Engineer for the Palau Environmental Quality Protection Board, on all environmental programs. Experienced in all aspects of DW and WRM activities–project and program planning, management; monitoring and evaluation; water system/utility treatment, distribution, O&M assessment, engineering design, construction, operations; operator and management training, maintenance, financing; grant writing and grant oversight. Planning for and providing emergency response actions, for typhoons and other disasters, including Hurricane Katrina (USA); Typhoon Chata’an; (Guam); and Typhoon Haiyan (Palau).

  • EDUCATION:
    Candidate in Master of Business Administration, USP RMI, (4 more courses needed)
     Master of Legal Studies in International and Environmental Law, Australian National University 2002
     Certificate in World Affairs, East West Center University of Hawaii, 2004
     Certificate Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation Studies, Waikato University, 1998
     Bachelor’s of Arts Natural Sciences, University of Hawaii at Hilo, 1994-1997

    MEMBERSHIP IN PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS: AOSIS
    OTHER TRAINING:
     Legal Drafting, Parliament Sponsored Workshop, 2006
     International Treaty Negotiations, SPREP, 2005
     Strategic Planning, held in Guam USA, 2006
     Budget/Financial Preparations, Majuro 2005
     Environmental and Sustainable Development Project Design
     Greenhouse gas inventory, Fiji 1998
    COUNTRIES OF WORK EXPERIENCE: Republic of Marshall Islands, Pacific and International
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  • Project and Programme Design, Preparation, Implementation and Evaluation
    Capacity Building, including training, institutional strengthening and policy development and planning
    Disaster and Climate Risk Assessments and Management - nationally as well as for specific sectors, islands and communities
    Climate and Disaster Risk Reduction Financing

  • Environment & development consultant with 10 years’ experience in 7 sectors in 16 countries, including 10 Caribbean & Pacific SIDS. Key highlights:

    2014 Climate Change Project Officer, The Australian National University
    2013-2014 Sustainable Financing Consultant, Cuso International
    2013 Marine Protected Areas Expert, GOPA Consultants
    2012-2013 Policy Research Manager, Caribbean Policy Research Institute
    2012 Executive Director/Park Manager (World Heritage Site), Jamaica Conservation & Development Trust
    2011 Climate Change Consultant, Environmental Solutions Ltd
    2011-2012 Environmental Project Manager, Conrad Douglas & Associates Ltd
    2007-2009 Environment & Sustainable Development Officer, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

    Currently self-directing PhD research into climate change adaptation in SIDS. Seeking to use my qualifications & skills to help limit human-induced climate change, & ensure that adaptation actions in SIDS meet their development & resilience needs & goals.

  • Over 27 years of experience on international development projects, focusing on coastal management, ICZM, coastal adaption, climate policy, wetland biodiversity management and catchment management. Over 12 years’ experience of Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) including programmes that involve participatory planning processes, conducting feasibility studies, the assessment climate change and small island state environmental management and the design of programme implementation involving climate change.Over 10 years’ experience in institutional assessment and identification of capacity and organisational constraints within public administration, private sector, civil society (mostly in small island states). Extensive knowledge of donor agency development policies relating to disaster risk, climate change and coastal adaptation. Strong working experience for SPREP since 2011 in Tuvalu, Tonga, Vanuatu, Cook Islands, Fiji, FSM, Samoa. Strong experience in many other SIDs globally.

  • I have considerable experience in designing and implementing climate change and development projects for inter alia UNDP, UNEP, IFAD and FAO in Asia, Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific region. My areas of expertise include: i) ecosystem-based adaptation; ii) disaster risk management; iii) REDD+; iv) carbon sequestration; v) community development; and vi) global support programmes for capacity building. I have led teams of international consultants in designing innovative projects for building climate resilience in developing countries. My involvement in project implementation has provided valuable insights that I apply in the design of new projects tailored to local environmental and socio-economic conditions, taking into account lessons learned from previous experiences in project design and implementation. My day-to-day duties are designing, implementing and M&E of climate change and development projects in the public and private sectors.

  • Barbara is a climate change and disaster risk reduction specialist with more than 16 years of direct professional in-the-field experience. She has provides advisory services in policy and program development, program and project evaluation, training and capacity building, to national and local government agencies and international and regional organizations, including the United Nations system and NGOs with focus on disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation for resilient development, food security, gender, policy leadership and advocacy. She is specialised in programmes aiming at climate change and disaster risk reduction mainstreaming into national and sector response policies, strategies and plans.

    She has used multi-stakeholder participatory approaches in Pacific countries and has proven hands-on expertise in-the-field. She worked with government and beneficiary institutions to formulate policies and implement programmes. She was responsible for the formulation of national policies, vulnerability assessment, gender, disaster risk reduction and natural hazards prevention and mitigation through the promotion of long-term strategies to adaptation planning for effective aid delivery at national and regional level. In her work she has developed funding recommendation, strategic positioning, partnership and recommended doable and realistic implementation plans, including timelines, costing and roles and responsibilities.

    She holds a Master’s Degree in Global Environmental Protection and International Policies and is an active member of the Pacific Infrastructure Advisory Centre and Adaptation Learning mechanism as well as the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery East Asia and the Pacific Disaster Knowledge Network. Barbara is serving on United Nations Women National Committee Aotearoa New Zealand.

  • An in-depth knowledge and extensive experience of environment and development issues, including technical assistance and capacity building projects in many parts of the world, particularly in Asia and the Pacific. During my work in 59 countries, I have demonstrated a strong commitment to the use of participatory planning and evaluation methodologies at the national and community levels, including local and national sustainable development planning and evaluation. My analytical skills include highly developed policy analysis skills with experience of integrated approaches to a wide range of issues including governance, environment, natural resource management, disaster risk management, climate change, livelihoods, resilience building, community development and social policy. In my work over the last 40 years, I have shown an ability to assess complex situations in order to succinctly and clearly distil critical issues and draw forward looking conclusions, identifying practical lessons for practical application and policy development.

  • Over 20 years’ experience working on climate change and disaster risk reduction issues with communities, governments and international entities. Much of my work focused on building the capacities and capabilities to address adverse impacts of climate change and disaster risk reduction issues at the national, regional and international levels and in assisting countries mobilise financial, technical and human resources to implement and manage climate change activities, projects and programmes.

    I have particular experience in conducting stakeholder consultations with villages/ communities, national governments and with international community organisations. I have especial skill/know-how in preparing technical and policy documents and reports relating to climate change issues and concerns. I have assisted Pacific islands countries in developing project proposals for funding and implementation of projects including Pacific Islands Climate Change Assistance Programme, national communications, national adaptation programmes of action, vulnerability and adaptation assessment, national and regional adaptation and disaster risk reduction projects, adaptation policies and/or strategies (see CV attached).

    I also have experience in developing a policy and/or a policy framework such as NAPA, International Climate Change Adaptation Initiative, Pilot Programme on Climate Resilience, and Strategic Programme on Climate Resilience, Pacific Adaptation Strategies Assistance Programme, national and regional Global Climate Change Alliance programmes on adaptation and based on stakeholder engagement/consultations.

    I have a good knowledge and high level of familiarity and understandings of the Pacific small island developing states government system having lived in and worked in and for the region for more than three decades. Additionally I have undertaken mentoring work with various experts with each of the countries through capacity building and training on various aspects of climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction. I have a have a good command of English (oral and written) and a good level of understanding of some of the local languages.

    I have the necessary track record of achievements, experience and skills to provide scientific and technical assistance and policy guidance to the Pacific SIDS. and others on climate change activities, projects and programmes.

  • The consultant's key fields of expertise include Environmental Management (Env Mgt Sys, Env Audit, EIA, SEA), Sustainable Development, Climate Change (Adaptation, Mitigation, Science, Policy), Community Waste Management, Community Based Adaptation, Ecosystem-based Adaptation. Proficient project management and project performance management skills that include practitioner skills in project management in controlled environments; skills in concept, grant and full project and funding proposal writing, climate financing proposal writing, design, work planning and budgeting. Skilled in project appraisal of project aspects such as costs, timescales, quality, scope, risk and benefits; deliver of quality project products, monitoring, reporting and evaluation. Offers training and workshops on V&A Assessments that include technical and community-based tools and frameworks, socio-economic assessments, lessons learned, results-based management, survey design and implementation, M&E design and implementation, gender & climate change. Range of working experiences at different levels of development intervention - international and regional (negotiations, policy, advocacy, lobbying, media campaigns and presentation, knowledge management); regional and national (project management, policy, science, gender, adaptation, mitigation, media campaigns, public awareness) and community (CBA, EbA, V&A, negotiations, training, gender mainstreaming level, implementation, negotiation skills on climate change, waste management, attitude and behavioral change campaigning). Have on-the-ground and field experiences in 14 Pacific Island communities, particularly in Palau, Marshall Islands, Fiji, Niue, Cook Islands, and Papua New Guinea. Sector expertise areas of climate change adaptation activities and results in integrated coastal zone management, water resources management (specializing in low-lying atolls), food security, food production, agriculture, aquaculture, forestry, tourism and health.