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 an Australian Leadership Award recipient with a Master's in Software Architecture who currently drives digital innovation for SPREP, architecting mission-critical applications that serve entire Pacific nations and territories. With expertise spanning modern cloud infrastructure, full-stack development, and government-grade security systems, he has successfully delivered everything from national electoral biometrics systems to environmental monitoring databases used across multiple countries. His unique combination of elite technical education, PRINCE2 project management certification, and proven team leadership makes him invaluable for organisations seeking scalable, future-proof digital solutions.
Beyond his impressive credentials, Ainsof possesses that rare ability to operate at the intersection of cutting-edge technology and transformational business impact. He doesn't simply build systems – he architects comprehensive digital solutions that revolutionise how organisations operate, from streamlining communication across Pacific Island governments to processing thousands of insurance policies through robust database platforms. His cross-cultural expertise, government clearance experience, and commitment to knowledge transfer ensure clients receive not only world-class technical implementations but also the strategic guidance and team training essential for long-term success.
His comprehensive technical arsenal spans the complete technology stack: cloud infrastructure mastery in Amazon Web Services (AWS) for scalable, secure deployments; modern frontend frameworks including Vue.js, React, and Flutter for responsive web and mobile applications; content management specialisation in Drupal for robust websites and database systems; and enterprise development capabilities across database architecture, API integration, and system administration. This diverse skill set, combined with Windows Server administration and mobile app development expertise, enables him to deliver seamless end-to-end solutions that integrate effortlessly with existing enterprise infrastructure while positioning organisations for sustained growth.
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
Director at Earthwise Consulting Limited, Hastings New Zealand
Senior Research Fellow at International Global Change Institute, University of Waikato, Hamilton New Zealand
Knowledge Management Specialist
Proposal/Report Writing
Community Trainer Specialist
Capacity building specialist
Research Scientist at Environmental Change Unit, Oxford University, Atmospheric Impacts Research Group University of Birmingham, UK
Climate Resilience expert with 23 years experience with climate change impacts, vulnerability, adaptation and resilience
Countries of Work Experience: Bangladesh, Egypt, Fiji, Italy, Kiribati, Mauritius, Nauru, Nepal, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Tuvalu, United Kingdom, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Zimbabwe
Climate Financing Specialist
Climate Change Adaptation and Finance Adviser for the Office of Environmental Planning
Wrote a report on Climate Change Finance options for RMI
Advising the Director of the OEPPC, preparing briefing documents, presentations, cabinet papers, managing visits from CROP agencies, writing concept proposals for climate change adaptation projects
Organising committee member for the Cartagena Dialogue Organised bilateral meetings, prepared briefing papers and speeches for the Foreign Minister
Followed up from the Climate Change Finance Assessment carried out on RMI by facilitating workshops that lead to a climate change finance roadmap
Created and designed plan for the creation of a climate change coordination guideline for RMI
Developed a report for UNDP and the Palestinian Government on climate finance opportunities vis-à-vis ratification of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change;
Presented findings to the National Climate Change Committee, the Environment Quality Authority (EQA) and UNDP/PAPP;
Developed a concept note for a donor on meteorological stations in the West Bank and Gaza;
Joined the Palestinian Delegation to COP19 in Warsaw: tracked climate finance negotiations, organised bilateral meetings, prepared briefing papers and speeches for the Chairman of the EQA (Ministerial equivalent).
Research Assistance assisting Professor Robyn Eckersley at the Faculty of Political and Social Science with research on a three year project around international climate leadership in a number of key countries, including Norway.
Translating material and analyzing policy history to establish different discourses of the agents acting within the Norwegian climate and foreign policy arena.
Recognised as a research assistant in the article: Eckersley, R. (2013), Poles Apart?: The Social Construction of Responsibility for Climate Change in Australia and Norway. Australian Journal of Politics & History, 59: 382–396. doi: 10.1111/ajph.12022.
Analysed human societal perspectives on energy choice and climate solutions
Researched and produced materials covering various energy fields: unconventional gas, biogas, carbon capture and storage, transportation/mobility, geopolitics related to energy and more.
Organised events and represented the company at conferences.
Completed administration tasks as necessary and held responsibility for and training of one staff member.
Member of Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand (EIANZ), Member of Association for Sustainability in Business (ASB), Member of International Association for Public Participation (IAP2)
Senior Consultant - Sustainability and Climate Change, RPS Manidis Roberts, Sydney Australia; Key responsibility - focuses on building climate resilience and providing climate adaptation solutions for complex projects across a range of industries and sectors
Senior Consultant - Sustainability and Climate Change, Arup Pty Ltd, Brisbane Australia
Sustainability Manager of Gallions Housing Association, London
Community Trainer Specialist
Capacity Building Specialist
Environmental and social safeguards specialist
Countries of Work Experience: Australia, England, Thailand
Key responsibilities of my position with RPS include: 1. ?The development and delivery of innovative and practical projects focused on building climate resilience and providing climate adaptation solutions for complex projects across a range of industries and sectors 2. ?The autonomous and competent management of projects featuring multi-disciplinary teams to deliver timely and effective project solutions. 3. Business development and project generation. 4. Management, guidance and mentoring of junior staff, demonstrating effective delegation and resource management skils
Whilst employed by Arup key duties of the position included: 1. ?The development and delivery of innovative and practical sustainability and climate change solutions for complex projects across a range of industries and sectors 2. The autonomous and competent management of projects featuring multi-disciplinary teams to deliver timely and effective project solutions 3. Management, guidance and mentoring of junior staff, demonstrating effective delegation and resource management skills ??Regular presentation and contribution to conferences, seminars, forums and industry journals. Example: panellist at the 2013 National Business Leaders Forum on Sustainable Development; presenter at the 2012 Australian Conference on Sustainability in Business 4. Between 2008 – 2012 Rebecca also lead the corporate sustainability approach for Arup’s Australasia region.
Whilst employed by Gallions Housing Association, key responsibilities were: 1. ?To act as the central point of contact for all issues related to environmental sustainability 2. Provide advice on relevant policy, legislation and technological progresses both in the UK and internationally to enable Gallions to meet its objective of being a sustainable social housing and sustainable urban renewal pioneer 3. ?Lead the inclusion of sustainability initiatives across all new projects including the completion of environmental assessments on new schemes as a licensed BREEAM Ecohomes /Code for Sustainable Homes Assessor
GRI Stakeholder Council Oceania (Vice Chair) GRI Focal Point Australia (Chair) Environment Institute of Australia and New Zeenaland (EIANZ) Association for Sustainability in Business (ASB) International Association for Public Participation (IAP2 The Total Environment Centre – Board member The Climate Institute – Climate Partner Green Cross Australia – Business Adaptation Network Infrastructure Sustainability Council Australia – Founding member Asian Pacific Network for Climate Adaptation
Director - Environment Policy of Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) Sydney, Australia; key negotiator to provide policy advice to the Minister of Climate
Executive Director - Environment at Hornsby Shire Council, Hornsby Australia
Senior Researcher, Sustainability at Institute for Sustainable Futures, ISF, Sydney Australia
Legal Specialist (Climate Change/Environmental Law/MEAs)
Community Development Specialist
Proposal Writing
Community Trainer Specialist
Capacity building specialist
Environmental and social safeguards specialists
Countries of Work Experience: Australia, New Zealand USA Canada England Europe Union countries Japan South East Asia Pacific India Africa Brazil
Senior Executive -Sustainability and Climate Change at RPS Group. Worked with leading international and Australian organisations on a host of climate risk strategies. Role was to help clients understand the exposure, adaptive capacity and sensitivity of assets, operations, services, suppliers and communities to climate risks and to assist them in proactively improving their planning and preparedness. Role included providing training and mentoring in climate and sustainability across the private and public sector. Board member and Vice Chair of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Stakeholder Council for over six years representing Oceania – collaborating on corporate social responsibility (CSR) with governments, international agencies and leading companies across the globe. Chair of GRI Focal Point Australia over that same period. Member of the Asia Pacific Network for climate adaptation.
Responsible for managing a service line of 50 plus professional staff globally who provide sustainability services. Stella provided services to many of Australia’s top 100 companies on their sustainability performance and services; this work has included corporate social responsibility work. Stella lead consultancy advice to major public and private sector clients internationally on urban planning, green building, environment, CSR, Sustainability Strategy and GRI reporting. She led the development of tools, methodologies and protocols, and was also responsible for the oversight of GHD’s 2009 CSR Reporting framework, including an advisory role to GHD Board. While at GHD Stella was responsible for many of the firm’s strategic partnerships, including the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) – both the global network and the GRI Focal Point Australia based at the Saint James Ethics Centre.
Key Government’s negotiator with major local government, corporate, industry and other stakeholders on complex environment, planning and sustainability reforms. Provided policy advice to the Minister of Climate
Change, Water and the Environment, as well as the Premier, Planning, Local Government, Health and Transport Ministers. This advice spanned a large variety of policies, strategies or legislative changes. Pioneered climate change adaptation plans (COAG National Climate Change Adaptation Framework) and led the publication of NSW State of the Environment Report as well as running water and air community education campaigns (Water for Life, greenhouse and Clear the Air Campaigns. Responsible for the delivery of major multi-million dollar environmental and sustainability programs including the Sustainability Advantage, Clean Air Fund, the Stormwater Trust and more recently work on the Urban Sustainability Program and Clean Air Healthy Communities Fund
While working at Hornsby Shire Council, was responsible for a April 2009 Australia Director -Environment department of 140 staff and managing a budget of AUD 23 million. Within this position was responsible for the planning and delivery of Council’s environment services, strategy and policy development. Role also included the delivery of award-winning sustainability initiatives and projects.
Established the ISF Local Government Unit from scratch -a small scientist and professional team.
In the first year of operation of the Unit generated > $400k consultancy income. The Unit undertook research and consultancy for broad range of clients on sustainable development, community development community, water, transport, waste, energy and environmental policy. Project included environmental management reviews and sustainability reporting for wide range of business, government and local council clients. Responsibilities included leading a pioneering action research project on local sustainability involving a large number of key councils in NSW and was author of the Commonwealth Local Agenda 21 Manual (1999).
Countries of Work Experience: India
Project Manager for Nexant Inc; Prepare budget for project, prepare progress reports for client. Facilitating stakeholder consultation. Developing innovative financing instruments and market deployment strategies for up-scaling re technologies for rural, commercial and industrial sectors in India
Project Manager for Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation in 2013-2014; Map the International sources of climate finance. Provide recommendation for setting appropriate institutional structure for effective climate finance
Project Manager for UNDP in 2013-2014; Develop a detailed financial resource assessment for implementing recommendations and strategies in the MP SAPCC;
Estimate the finance that need to be invested for fully operationalizing the strategies proposed for identified sectors
Classify the sectoral recommendation and identify the fund requirement for each activity
Identification of financial options and gap-filling strategies by assessing current budgetary allocations/expenditure of the department; working on issues falling within these sectors, to explore funds that could be made available for implementation
Development of plan of action along with details on the methodology proposed to be used for making the estimates of financial requirements
Project Coordinator for IKEA Trading Pty Ltd, India; - Set up a Project Monitoring Unit comprising of a Field Coordinator, Project Officer and a team of village level motivators
Worked closely with beneficiaries to understand their problems related to energy and health
Planned and organized mass awareness generation campaigns for beneficiaries, students, financial institutions, entrepreneurs, electricians and mechanics
Promoted and customized solar home lighting systems and centralized charging stations
Solar street lights and a solar water pump were installed for irrigation and drinking water supply in one village as part of a larger mandate to set up a model solar village
Project Coordinator for European Commission in 2005-2007; -Co-operation between India and European Union. Encourage both technology transfer and investment flows. Direct beneficiaries for both the ethanol and biodiesel sector were farmers; sugar industry; oil expelling/processing companies; urban areas (due to clean environment); and the country as a whole as a result of savings in foreign exchange and CDM opportunities for the country. Partnership with EU organizations ensured value addition by bringing forth the knowledge, experience, management, and technologies to India
Editorial Coordinator for the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy 2009-2011; UNDP/GEF supported a major Biomass Energy based project with the Ministry for New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)
Raise awareness level about the technical and other aspects of biomass energy under a major capacity building initiative among all possible stakeholders
Raise awareness and coverage of technological, operational, financial and regulatory aspects of various biomass conversion technologies such as combustion, cogeneration, gasification and biomethanation
Grant Administrator; Developed the Operational manual to provide grants. Promote program through web based technologies and other networks to ensure active participation of renewable energy enterprises to submit proposals. Careful screening of applications and developing a decision matrix to arrive at results. Preparation of contract documents to follow up on project deliverables of sub-grantees, clearing financial payments of sub-grantees
