I have more than 16 years work experience as Fellow in the Environment unit, Institute of Applied Science (IAS), University of the South Pacific (USP), where my work included conducting scientific research and investigations, and my special area of expertise was in water quality testing, water sampling for analysis, and general ecological assessments.
I have been team leader on a number of projects including major EIA studies, not only in Fiji but the region as well, where my role included collaboration with other stakeholders, government and non-government, and other local and external EIA consultants, e.g. for the Rewa River Dredging EIA. I was team leader for a conservation project on coastal rehabilitation along Coral Coast, funded by the Darwin Initiative. I have prepared at least 30 technical reports, EIA Reports for clients, not only from Fiji but the region as well. Our clients included the governments (Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Vanuatu); private developers (Denarau Resort).
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
EMPLOYMENT
RECORD:
My interest in the environment started as I worked as a climatologist in the Apia Observatory, Samoa, where I learnt a lot about the close links between the weather/climate and other components of the environment including humans. I later took an academic career with the National Uni of Samoa (participate in the environment issue) in its inception years until the end of 1999.
Moving to Australia in 2000 allowed me to take an administration pathway with the University of NSW until 2006 and a theology degree. This helped developed a more complete toolkit to deal with the environment issue. Returning to Samoa this decade gave me an opening to connect in a more meaningful way with communities which are among the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Currently I'm enjoying this work immensely with the OLSSI.
Consultancy: Conducted consultancy on water quality testing and training for sanitation and water assessment technicians in Samoa. Currently part of team member drafting Samoa's GEF-SGP country programme strategy for its 6th Operational Programme. Drafted methodology for Samoa's second greenhouse inventory. Drafted primary science curriculum for Samoa. Lessons learnt from completed consultancies have been applied to research and teaching to a student community and applied to the assessment of community climate change resilience and conservation projects. Work experience: Researcher on water quality assessment using conventional methods; currently trialing the use of DNA technology for water assessment. Background in ocean acidification. Project member for EU-funded EDULINK Project on Education for Sustainable Development and Pace-Net Plus Project on Health, Food security, marine and maritime and inland water research, Climate change. Experience in budgetary and report writing
1. Climate change (UNFCCC) and biodiversity (CBD) expert implementing biodiversity audits and natural resources accounting in mangroves, wetlands, and ecosystems in close to 30 villages in Samoa 2010-2015
2. Adviser as a GEF expert (2012-2016) in Global CSO Network and Regional Focal Point for the Pacific region
3. Expert and consultant on land desertification (UNCCD) and one of two who developed USD$5million GEF-5 project for Samoa 2014
4. Adviser for Communities Engagement Policies and part of World Bank governance as Indigenous Observer in Climate Investment Funds (2012-2015)
5. Expert on SIDS Issues and lead the Major Groups in Samoa, Pacific, and other regions develop their positions for the SAMOA Pathway 2014
6. Expert on sustainable development issues wrote extensively to critique the Rio to Rio+20 processes from perspectives of SIDS, CSO, Indigenous Peoples and local communities (2002-2015)
7. Part of Governance and member of the Boards and steering Committees that lead and manage the work of Global Forest Coalition, CBD Alliance, Indigenous Peoples Climate Change Bioculture Assessment (IPCCA), International Alliance of Indigenous Peoples Tropical Forests around the world (2002-2005)
8. Manager of the GEF/SPREP Pacific regional programs as defacto DRR of UNDP/Samoa for 8 years (1994-2001)
9. Lead UNCED negotiations process for Samoa as Director and Head of Department of Lands Surveys and Environment (1991-1993), now MNRE, and started the Environment Division
10 Started and Head own private Surveying Company in Samoa (1980-1988)
Paul Holper is an experienced environment and science communicator. He spent 25 years at Australia’s CSIRO in senior positions. He managed the Australian Climate Change Science Program, with over 100 researchers. Prior to that he was Communication Manager for CSIRO Atmospheric Research. He convened international climate change ‘GREENHOUSE’ conferences and has run workshops in Australia and overseas. Paul is a Director of Scientell PL. He has worked for iCLIM, the Pacific climate change adaptation program run in collaboration with SPREP. This entailed visits to Fiji, Tonga and Vanuatu and extensive discussions with government officials, representatives from NGOs and environmental practitioners. He has produced climate change brochures for the Victorian Government, highlighting the latest projections and adaptation options. He has an honours degree in chemistry and qualifications in science communication and education. He has written 23 science books for children and for adults.
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
Charlotte is a highly accomplished, skilled and talented development professional with over a decade of experience in international development in 20 countries worldwide. She has a proven track record of providing strategic and programming direction to organisations to develop, implement and monitor policies, strategies, campaigns and programs to build gender-sensitive community resilience. She is an excellent educator and communicator of development theory and practice to a variety of stakeholders including government officials, non-governmental staff and partners, communities, academics, and other groups. She is co-author of Toward Resilience (Practical Action, 2013), a practitioner’s guide to disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation programming and advocacy, which integrates gender throughout; and has developed a range of participatory risk assessment tools and guidance for working with poverty-affected and vulnerable communities.
For fifteen years Julie has supported governments, communities, NGOs, and humanitarian organisations across the Pacific, Asia and Australia to address climate change through their policy, project and program work. Her specialties are adaptation, resilience and gender. She has expertise in research, writing and analysis. She also has substantial expertise in developing and delivering tailored training packages and developing targeted and practical communication materials, guidelines and toolkits for diverse audiences. She has excellent written and verbal communication skills and substantial experience in mentoring, capacity building and leadership. She has a Masters in Sustainability from Murdoch University and is completing a Master of Climate Change from the Australian National University.
Paul Mitchell has over a decade of international development experience in more than 20 countries across five regions. Paul is an expert in climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction and sustainable development. He has led adaptation programs for the Australian aid program and international NGO Save the Children. He has also provided consultancy services for government, non-government and international organisations. Paul focuses on helping organisations integrate climate change risk and adaptation into development programs at all levels and throughout the project cycle, as well as developing and implementing capacity building programs. He holds a BA (Hons) in Cultural Studies and Sociology and a Masters in International Development from UNSW. Paul has completed consultancies in the Pacific for a range of organisations, including: DFAT, the World Bank, Save the Children, CARE and Oxfam. More information is available at www.adapt-develop.com
- Secondary teacher and administrator, 1993 - 2006, Tonga and Niue Mission of the Seventh Day Adventist Church
- Youth and Mental Health Project Coordinator, 2006 - 2009, Tonga Community Development Trust
- Ozone Depleting Substances Project Coordinator, 2010 - Now, Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications