Sakeasi Waikere
Tamavua,Fiji
Summary
A seasoned leader in both government and private sectors, adept at diplomatic negotiations and swiftly delivering quality outputs. At Divine Fijians Group, spearheaded operations, significantly contributing to strategic objectives. Renowned for analytical prowess and computer literacy, consistently meets targets, ensuring projects align with government policies and financial guidelines.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
Deputy Secretary
Office of, Prime Minister
Suva, Fiji
09.2024 - Current
- Cooperation & Facilitation Office (DCFO)
- My role as a Deputy Secretary in the Development Cooperation & Facilitation Office is to provide policy advice to the Permanent Secretary relating to the deliverables of the Development, Cooperation & Facilitation Office, and to ensure that the Prime Minister’s rural and community development projects are effectively implemented in a timely and efficient manner, in compliance with the governance requirements of the Government.
- The position also provides political advice and facilitates public relations on the government's current initiatives and programs.
- Role:
- Ensure timely implementation of the Prime Minister’s designated development projects, and provide quality advice to the Permanent Secretary on all matters pertaining to the Prime.
- The Minister’s portfolio responsibilities include small grants, externally donor-assisted capital projects, the development of minority communities, and compliance with governance and accountability requirements; ensuring well-disseminated project implementation and facilitation to line agencies and stakeholders; and providing greater public awareness of development programs that are implemented through the Prime Minister’s Office.
- Achievements: Since the inception of the SGS grant in 2009, facilitating all PMs' committed projects, a new record of 100% utilization of the $9 million budget allocation.
Executive
ABT Global LLC
Rockville, USA
11.2023
- ABT Associates is Global Company enlisting itself as an engine for social impact, fueled by caring, curiosity and cutting-edge research that moves people from vulnerability to security
- Whether it is welfare or weather disasters, the environment or economics, agriculture or HIV and AIDS, ABT address the world's most pressing issues
Senior Business Growth Consultant
- Providing expert technical and strategic inputs to support the Abt team in the development of the technical approach and project activities in response to the anticipated USAID/Pacific Economic Growth (PEG) Activity
- As a senior consultant I provide support in connecting Abt’s research and proposal team with key Fiji stakeholders as well as providing guidance and advice related to partnering, management, and staffing decisions
- In addition, I provided support for the two upcoming USAID-funded Pacific Economic Growth activities in twelve Pacific Island Countries
- The PEG activity that will be released from the USAID Mission in Fiji will release the PEG activity in Fiji, Tonga, Tuvalu, Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Kiribati, Republic of Marshall Islands, and Palau.
Business Growth Consultant
ABT Associates
Gardner, Milton, Brisbane, QLD
09.2024
- Work with ABT head office team to gather information from and provide introductions to the following in order to inform ABT’s understanding and consideration of the opportunity including but not limited to:
- Relevant Fiji government ministries to understand their priorities and preferences focusing on sector areas relevant to the Fiji Facility/Fiji Platform:
- Education
- Health
- Governance
- Emergency Preparedness and Climate Change
- Upon specific request initiating and building relationships with local regional and international organizations: donors, academic community, non-governmental and civic society organizations, and private sector stakeholders
- Relevant Pacific Regional initiatives and institutional connections
- Relevant initiatives by other development cooperation funders and
- Where possible scope of work for the new program
- Providing recommendations and where agreed, providing introductions on potential program staff
- Providing other insight, recommendations and written inputs to assist the development of Abt’s tender response, as directed by the Head of
- Business Growth and based on knowledge and information gathered from stakeholder engagement and research activities
- Attend meetings as required with the bid team to review information gathering and development progress against timelines.
General Manager
Divine Fijians Group
Santa Rosa, USA
08.2006 - 10.2023
- Lead the Divine Fijian Group in its three areas of operation: home care, retail shop and senior living home
- The Multimillion company comprising of more than 100 staffs is operating on 2 million budget securing investment in the California state
- Office of the Prime Minister
Acting Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Waterways
Suva, Fiji
- Acting Chief Advisor to the Hon Prime Minister in the overall administration of the Fijian Government
- My role was to endorse and approve submissions and proposals and to ensure that the Ministry is prudently spending its budget as per the intent of Government through the Hon Prime Minister
- This includes the endorsement and concurrences to operationalize budgets and the administering of the Ministry’s Drawings Account
- The role also involves meetings with the key stakeholders and other prominent partners including members of the public., Waterways
- As Acting Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Waterways, my role was to endorse and approve submissions and proposals and to ensure that the Ministry is prudently spending its budget as per the intent of Government through its Minister and the Hon Prime Minister
- This includes the endorsement and concurrences to operationalize budgets and the administering of the Ministry’s Drawings Account
- The role also involves meetings with the key stakeholders and other prominent partners including members of the public.
Acting Permanent Secretary
Office of Prime Minister & Ministry of Sugar
Suva, Fiji
10.2016 - 03.2021
- Sugar Industry
- As, for the Ministry of Sugar, my role was to endorse and approve submissions and proposals and to ensure that the Ministry of Sugar is prudently spending its budget as per the intent of Government through its Minister and the Hon Prime Minister
- This includes the endorsement and concurrences to operationalize sugar budgets and the administering of the Ministry of Sugar Drawings Account
- The role also involves meetings with the sugar Cane Growers and other sugar key stakeholder partners
- Role:
- The role ensures that the Ministerial Strategic Business Plan is implemented fulfilling the Ministerial governance function and provide the direction that requires leadership towards achieving the Ministry’s business objectives; responsible for operations administration of policies, ensuring the achievement of current objectives and contribute toward long terms growth and viability;
- Ensuring that briefings are provided on: i) Fiji Sugar Corporation; (ii) Sugar Cane Growers Council; (iii) Sugar Industry Tribunal; (iv) Sugar Cane Growers Fund; (v) Sugar
- Research Institute of Fiji and (vi) South Pacific Fertilizers Limited; Ensure that sugar industry’s tropical interest is attend to in a timely manner, e.g
- Mill breakdown, shortage of fertilizer supply, non-renewal of ALTA leases, slow supply of cane to mills, mill efficiencies, field productivity; cane cutter shortage; poor cane access roads, requests for special cane payment etc
- Provide support to the industry structure as per the Sugar Industry Act 1984 and subsequent amendments in attempting to resolve the issues raised by industry stakeholders to Government
- Create and promote a healthy working relationship between Government and the industry institutions in order to inspire confidence by the stakeholders and contribute to the stability of the industry
- Chairman for the Project Steering Committee for Sugar on Rural Access Roads and Associated Infrastructure [RARAI] Micro Project Program (MPP) and Reforestation Projects [21 March 2017]
- As the Chairman for the Committee my position plays an important role in the committee
- My responsibilities involve advising the team on strategies and means to overcome challenges of implementation with key government stakeholders; convene meeting purpose clear to members and clarify the agenda at the beginning of each meeting; elucidate and summarize issues; encourage broad participation and contribution from members in key developments
- Ensure that the EU$30m EURO equivalent to $100m FJD projects are implemented within the two-year timeframe instead of the initial five-year term period
- Achievements: Successful completion of MPP projects, Reforest, and RARAI projects by the end of December 2018, with savings of FJD$200,000 earmarked for the commissioning ceremony.
Deputy Secretary
International Cooperation & Corporate Services
Deputy Secretary
International Cooperation
- Corporate Services
- The position is responsible to the Permanent Secretary in providing policy advice relating to the Corporate Services deliverables and facilitating International Cooperation matters
- Role:
- As a Head of the International Cooperation & Corporate Services Division, my role was to advice the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Prime Minister in undertaking the responsibilities stipulated under the 2013 Constitution of the Republic of Fiji
- The post coordinates and engages with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on bilateral and multilateral areas of interest to the Honorable Prime Minister, follow through with key agencies on the implementation of the signed MoUs / MoAs with key Development Partners, organize meetings between the Office of the Prime Minister and visiting dignitaries, provide administrative support to the Permanent Secretary and the Hon
- Prime Minister at key international summits, coordinate the Hon
- Prime Minister’s international and regional engagements through close work with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Trade & Industry and any other government agencies with international responsibilities, as well as with business and community groups and non- government organizations, oversee the International Cooperation Management Team capacity development, facilitate innovative practice and on-going process improvements
- As the Deputy Secretary for Corporate Services, my role was to provide policy advice relating to all Corporate Services deliverables including Human Resources, Administrative & Productivity and Finance Department
- The duties of the post includes co-ordination, implementation, monitoring and regular review of the Ministry’s strategic documents through the Strategic Plans, Annual Corporate Plans and Business Plans, conduct quarterly performance reviews of the ministry at organization level, assist and facilitate the Permanent Secretary’s directive on Leadership issues to HODs and all level of the organization, lead Corporate Strategic change initiatives across the organization and provide sound and effective leadership advice at Strategic Corporate Service level;
- During my term as the Deputy Secretary for International Cooperation & Corporate Services, we were able to achieve: Signing of MoA between the Japanese Government and the Fiji Government on Grant Aid on Economic and Social Development Program, table of the OPM 2015, 2016 and 2017 Annual Report in Cabinet and the implementation of the OMRS Guidelines and processes.
Resident, Acting High Commissioner/Charge De Affaires
Fiji High Commission
New Delhi, India
02.2016 - 06.2016
- And Non –, Mission to Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Maldives and Bhutan, After the promotional appointment of the former High Commissioner, I was tasked to assume both the High Commissioner and FS’s role in this thriving and fast growing mission
- I was able to comprehend all the work required and acquired for anyone in the mission from the Ambassador to Second Secretary level
- At numerous times I was tasked to lead this huge mission with only two diplomats to retort to correspondences via note verbales and emails both to Fiji and accredited country’s stakeholders, apart from the visiting Fijian dignitaries and delegations which we had to attend to, simultaneously
- The amount of work in Delhi is enormous; however, we managed to overcome various challenges with limited resources to meet targets on very strict timelines
- The number of reports, minutes, and correspondences submitted in a week intensified as the Fiji – India bilateral relations continued to soar as witnessed in the number of new commitments and engagements currently enjoyed by the two countries
- Diplomatic Role: As the Charge De Affairs, I am responsible for managing the Fiji mission as principal representatives to the Government of India and accredited states, heading advocacy roles on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Fiji, forging and enhancing linkages with bilateral partners to obtain appropriate levels of aid and technical assistance, donor sponsored educational opportunities and training courses, with defense and police establishments to build close relationships and further maximize training and constructive interchange
- Achievements: During my term as the Acting Head of Mission, the Fiji High Commission in Delhi was able to secure the following financial and technical assistance
- Around 6 tonnes of seeds worth 1M USD to be deployed at the end of the month to assist Fijians in its post Winston recovery program
- Secure the visit of the Indian naval boat to Fiji by end of the year
- The deployment of Indian engineers for the restoration of power in Fiji after TC Winston
- The same team also made research and suggestions for Fiji’s new reliable, reasonable and renewable energy source for the future
- The mission managed to secure $25,000 USD and a container of relief items from the Government of Sri Lanka as part of its post Winston assistance
- A company in Sri Lanka donated $100,000FJD as part of the “Adopt a
- School” program
- Organized the Colombo Plan Council Meeting to be hosted by Fiji in September 28 – 30 this year
- Hosted the Hon AG and PM during their bilateral visits in March and May respectively
- Both were satisfied with the work carried out in the mission particularly with the amount of assistance deployed from India
- Provide Talking Points and press release for the Hon AG during his meeting with Minister for External Affairs and Minister for Power in India
- Provide talking points and press releases of the Hon PM on his bilateral meeting with Apollo
- On my recommendation to the Hon PM during his official visit in May, the mission was able to reclaim its Counselor post, with its budget intensified resulting from numerous number of activities emanating from the mission
- Briefed PS Foreign Affairs on relevant issues pertaining to the mission with suggestions for improvements both in the mission and the Ministry
- Moreover, I had hosted a number of dignitaries during my term as Charge De Affaires at the Delhi mission.
Resident, First secretary
Fiji High commission
New Delhi, India
01.2014 - 02.2016
- Non –, Mission to Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Maldives and Bhutan, My role as First Secretary was to manage financial and administrative aspects of the Mission, maintaining an accurate record of financial commitments and expenditure on a daily basis ensuring that financial control and prudency whereby expenditure is minimized and directed to priority areas
- This is coupled with conducting research on issues of direct relevance to Fiji in the current trade, political, economic and cultural developments in the region and to critically analyze information available on these issues and regularly report relevant material to Ministry’s Headquarters
- In deputizing High Commissioner’s responsibilities, I provide recommendations and support on reviews on existing Agreements and Treaties that perhaps are of mutual benefit to Fiji in bilateral or multilateral agreements and trade, seek opportunities for donor sponsored training courses, and trade and investment that are of beneficial to Fiji and encourage aid and developments, in line with the goals of the Government of Fiji
- Achievements: During my term as the First Secretary and as the main advisor to the High Commissioner, I provided support in securing the following funding and technical assistance:
- Around F$2m and 40 tonnes of medicines food and tents was secured from the Indian Government to assist Fiji in its post Winston recovery programs
- Around 5M USD was granted to the Fiji government to build a parliamentary library
- India donated 5M USD to assist in rural small schemes programs
- The mission pressed on the Fiji government to accept the Indian Pharmacopeia (IP) and currently Fiji is on the verge of procuring Indian drugs at a fraction of its current drug bills
- India has trained 12 solar engineers with 7 more to graduate in September this year
- India will establish two IT centers in Fiji in the near future to upskill Fijians in IT software and programs
- A number of MOUs were signed and currently the mission will secure its imminent Air Service Agreement with the Government of India
- Furthermore, a countless number of training programs were secured under the Indian ITEC programs while our scholarships intake has amplified from 15 to 30 last year
- Instrumental in the establishment of the newly formed Forum of India and Pacific Island Countries(FIPIC) initiated by the Fiji High Commission in Delhi
- Through FIPIC, India announced a special fund of $1 million for adapting climate change vis-à-vis clean energy, and establishments of a trade office in India
- Winning the bid to host the Combo Plan biennial meeting to be held in Fiji that year
- Preparation of Talking points and Press Releases during Foreign Office Consultations between Fiji and India.
Director
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
10.2013 - 01.2014
- My role was to develop and recommend strategies, policies and practices that promote smooth flow, enhance performance and sound policy advices to facilitate the achievement of ministry’s overall objectives
- This includes conducting inspection in all Fiji missions abroad to provide policy guidance to Executive and Senior Management regarding issues affecting operations, security system and arrangement of missions as well the implementation of Fiji’s interest and Foreign policy
- Identify, analyze and interpret for Executive Management and senior management those influences and impacts of changes in the ministry’s internal and external environment and their impact on the ministry and mission’s objectives, strategies, policies and practices
- Develop good communication system with all missions and good control and effective management of assets based on the Ministry’s Financial Manual and other relevant legal instruments.
Aid Coordinator and Economic Researcher
Embassy of Japan
Suva, Fiji
01.2012 - 10.2013
- Economic Affairs and Economic Cooperation Division, The primary function of the role is to coordinate, monitor and manage Japanese Aid Projects in all the five accredited countries in the Pacific which includes Fiji, Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Marshall Islands and Kiribati
- This includes participating in a competent prudent process to ensure best contractors and premium products are mobilized in
- All government of Japan projects
- Providing accurate and reliable policy advice to the Ambassador on country’s conditions, particularly with issues pertaining to Aid Projects, Trade, Immigration, Treaties, Agreements and other economic related activities
- Monitor the implementation of major programs including Aid and reporting progress on targeted outcomes to the Ambassador and HQ
- Representing the interest of the Embassy of Japan at donor consultations and high profile meetings providing technical support and elucidations of domestic policies
- Liaise with MOFA in Five Pacific Countries on issues relating to Japan and their country
- This involves Multilateral and Bi-lateral negotiations and support
- Achievements: A huge number of Japan funded projects were implemented under my supervision and monitoring.
Principal Economic Planning Officer
Ministry of Finance, Central Coordinating Agency
03.2011 - 12.2011
- The primary function of CCAR is to pilot CCAR and MWH a NZ consulting agency on road projects as a form of reforming Department of National Roads into the new Fiji Roads Authority
- It further coordinates: sealing, rehabilitation, maintenance of major rural roads in Fiji
- The significant role of the position was to advise Minister for Finance and Permanent Secretary on the way forward for CCAR unit, updating the management with activities on the ground and future planning and designing of future roads with foremost, reforming PWD into Fiji Roads Authority
- Achievement: Establishments of the new Fiji Roads Authority.
Economic Planning Officer
Ministry of Finance
01.2009 - 03.2011
- Economic Policy Analysis & Trade Policy Incentive Section, Providing financial and policy advice to permanent secretary (PSF) and Minister for Finance on guidelines pertaining to government revenues, macro, fiscal, trade and incentive policies
- These includes providing regular analysis of key economic indicators and trends relating to balance of payments, and terms of trade, monitor and appraise government funded projects, reporting, on its developments and different phases of progress
- The role is influential in the mapping out of Governments Annual Budget policies and preparing supplements to the Annual Budget Address
- Conduct research on policy related issues and report to PSF and Minister on areas of improvement to ongoing guiding principles
- Providing representation at meetings to support, establish and confirm Government’s position
- Achievements: Hotels were incentivized, new finance policies established and implemented.
Project Officer
Ministry of Agriculture
01.2005 - 01.2007
- AusAID
- Leading the Australian Project (ACIAR) providing acquittals to Australian counterparts, negotiating on funding of project and its activities
- The role allows me to conduct research on prices and suggest policies on how to improve land use on smallholder farmers and identifying areas for improvement for diversification purposes
- Set targets for the year and prepare budget to account for it
- The entails comprehensive negotiations and talks with key stakeholders such as the Ministry of Finance, Fiji Island Bureau of Statistics and other NGO’s
- Achievement: New policy is in place for smallholder farmers projects.
Lecturer – Economics/Commerce
Fiji institute of Technology now Fiji National University
01.2004 - 01.2005
- Lecturer in Economics at university level courses.
School Teacher
Ministry of Education
01.1999 - 01.2004
- High School Teacher in Commerce, Accounting & Economics at Senior levels for Year 10 to Year 13 and was appointed Head of the Commerce Department.
Accounts Officer
Colonial Mutual Life
01.1992 - 01.1993
- Reviewing accounts, analyzing reports on premiums and ensuring transparency and accuracy of information recorded in the bank’s system.
Education
Master Degree Program - Economics and Public Policy Management
University of Tsukuba
Tokyo, Japan01.2009
Bachelor of Arts - Economics & Management
University of the South Pacific
01.1998
Skills
- Swiftly delivering quality outputs
- Meeting targets with strict timelines
- Acquainted with Government policies and guidelines
- Conversant with Government Financial Guidelines
- Analyzing cabinet papers, briefs and reports
- Diplomatic negotiation skills
- Working independently
- Computer literate
References
- Mr. Yogesh Karan, Chief of Party, ABT Global, Fiji karan.opm@gmail.com
- Mr. Satyendra Kumar, Principal Technical Lead – Climate and Localisation| Abt Associates, Satyendra.Prasad@abtassoc.com.au
- Mr. Filimoni Waqabaca, Ambassador Fiji Embassy in Tokyo Japan, fwaqabaca3@gmail.com
Personal Information
Nationality: Fijian
Professional Development
- JICA Training– Government Human Resource Management for Senior Officials (A), Tokyo, Japan, 05/10/17
- Fiji Senior Public Service Workshop 2016 – Chief Executive Leadership Academy, [CELAP], Pudong, Shanghai, China, 12/01/16
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) Training – Financial Programming and Policies, IMF Head Quarters, Washington DC, U.S.A, 01/01/11
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) Training – Financial Programming and Policies, Singapore Training Institute, Singapore, 07/01/10
- Observing assembly lines of production on Manufacturing Agencies in China., 01/01/09
- Policy Research Studies at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University in Hong Kong., 01/01/09
- Human Capacity Building Workshop Japan – hosted by the World Bank, Keiyo University, Tokyo, 01/01/07
- Presenting Policy Findings at the Australian Agricultural Economist Resource Society (AAERS) Meeting, Queenstown, New Zealand, 02/01/07
- Trade Policy Research Studies – Australia, 01/01/06
- Attending workshop on Poverty Statistics, SPC HQ, Noumea, 01/01/06
Timeline
Deputy Secretary
Office of, Prime Minister
09.2024 - Current
Business Growth Consultant
ABT Associates
09.2024
Executive
ABT Global LLC
11.2023
Acting Permanent Secretary
Office of Prime Minister & Ministry of Sugar
10.2016 - 03.2021
Resident, Acting High Commissioner/Charge De Affaires
Fiji High Commission
02.2016 - 06.2016
Resident, First secretary
Fiji High commission
01.2014 - 02.2016
Director
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
10.2013 - 01.2014
Aid Coordinator and Economic Researcher
Embassy of Japan
01.2012 - 10.2013
Principal Economic Planning Officer
Ministry of Finance, Central Coordinating Agency
03.2011 - 12.2011
Economic Planning Officer
Ministry of Finance
01.2009 - 03.2011
General Manager
Divine Fijians Group
08.2006 - 10.2023
Project Officer
Ministry of Agriculture
01.2005 - 01.2007
Lecturer – Economics/Commerce
Fiji institute of Technology now Fiji National University
01.2004 - 01.2005
School Teacher
Ministry of Education
01.1999 - 01.2004
Accounts Officer
Colonial Mutual Life
01.1992 - 01.1993
Senior Business Growth Consultant
Acting Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Waterways
Deputy Secretary
International Cooperation & Corporate Services
Deputy Secretary
International Cooperation
Master Degree Program - Economics and Public Policy Management
University of Tsukuba
Bachelor of Arts - Economics & Management
University of the South Pacific
Similar Profiles
BEATRICE INYASI FISSOOBEATRICE INYASI FISSOO
Volunteer - Coordinator for Seminars (TACAIDS) at TACAIDS/Ministry Office of Prime MinisterVolunteer - Coordinator for Seminars (TACAIDS) at TACAIDS/Ministry Office of Prime Minister
Keishla AdderleyKeishla Adderley
Press Secretary at The Office of The Prime MinisterPress Secretary at The Office of The Prime Minister
Richard SsewakiryangaRichard Ssewakiryanga
Senior Technical Adviser, National Partnerships at Office of the Prime MinisterSenior Technical Adviser, National Partnerships at Office of the Prime Minister