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
Director, Strategy, Governance and Engagement - Responsible for leading the governance and legal functions of the environment department. Responsibilities include the following:
- Providing governance advice to the Secretary of the Department
- Ensuring that the department has access to high quality, timely legal advice
- Ensuring that the risk and audit function of the department is operating effectively
- Chair of the Accredited Purchasing Unit
- Assisting a significant restructure of the Department
During the 12 months I worked with the Government of Nauru, I provided technical, policy and planning advice across a range of areas including climate change, renewable energy, waste management, biodiversity conservation and integrated water resource management. My key projects included:
- Working in close partnership with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat to develop and finalise the Pacific Climate Change Finance Assessment Framework - Nauru Case Study
- Working in partnership with GIZ/SPC on the development of an Energy Road Map for the Government of Nauru
- Working with the Government of Nauru to develop and finalise the National Water Sanitation and Hygiene Policy and Implementation Plan
- Assisting in the development of RONAdapt, the Republic of Nauru Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction Framework
For 3 years I was the Executive Director responsible for climate change policy and projects within the South Australian Government. This included the effective financing of climate change projects and ensuring that key institutional and human capacity frameworks were in place. Some of my key projects during this period included:
- The development of South Australia’s Adaptation Framework following exhaustive national and state consultations with academics, the private sector, senior officials and ministers and extensive research. The Framework has received national recognition in Australia for its innovative and collaborative approach to climate change adaptation. The World Bank is also in the process of investigating the approach to determine its applicability to other parts of the world.
- Development and implementation of the South Australian Government’s international climate change program. This program included the provision of assistance to regions in developing countries.
- Work with local government, state government and the private sector on an innovative financing mechanism to facilitate the retrofitting of energy efficiency measures in office accommodation in South Australia.
- Overseeing the development of a low emission vehicle strategy for South Australia to accelerate uptake of these vehicles in the state
- Overseeing various demonstration projects, which were funded through South Australia’s Building Innovation Fund, including trials of mini-wind turbine and co-generation technologies and the installation of green roofs on large office building
I led the development of climate change policy for the South Australian Government. Some key projects that I was responsible for during that time include:
- The development of Tackling Climate Change: South Australia’s Greenhouse Strategy which is South Australia's long-term response to climate change and which was developed after significant consultation with industry, community, academia, local councils and government. The strategy sets out specific goals and targets for South Australia, recommended ways to achieve them and identifies key action areas.
- Work on a net metering policy for the State to increase the use of renewable energy at the household level. As a result of this policy South Australia now has the highest rate of solar roof top penetration in the country, with 170,000 households with solar panels, twice the national average.
During this period I had lead responsibility for the Corporation’s policy and strategy function. This included responsibility for the following functions and projects:
- Providing policy and strategic advice to the Corporation’s Board and CEO
- Developing a strategic plan for the Corporation
- Contributing to the development of a national film policy framework, including a new film funding model
- Developing a business case for a major film studio hub for South Australia
- Working with the South Australian film industry on an industry development plan
- Providing advice to CEO and Board on public sector governance issues
I was responsible for leading the policy function within the office of the secretary of the department. This included responsibility for the following functions and projects:
- Providing policy advice and analysis to the Secretary and relevant Government Ministers on transport, urban planning and urban regeneration issues
- Contributing to the preparation of the Departments budget proposals, budget papers and annual report
- Supporting and advising Boards and Committees associated with the Department
- Providing advice to Ministers and the Secretary regarding law reform including during the parliamentary process
- Developing whole of government and regional approaches to urban regeneration, service delivery and economic development
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.
