SALOME V. TAUFA
Suva
Summary
Seasoned economist and professional advisor with great passion towards improving the livelihoods and wellbeing of the Pacific people with a strong focus on achieving results and fostering team collaboration. Skilled in strategic planning, problem-solving and a good advocate for well informed and evidence-based policies that are contextualized to the Pacific context to ensure relevancy and impactfulness. Known for adaptability and reliability in dynamic environments. Prepared to deliver impactful solutions and drive success in any managerial role.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Programme Adviser Economics
Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
03.2019 - Current
- Supports the Economic Policy Team Leader in supporting the Forum Secretariat's18 Member countries in their endeavor to achieve sustained economic growth and development through policy advise, advocacy and engagements with development and dialogue partners.
- Lead the convening of the annual meeting of the key decision-making platform for regional economic and financial issues, the Forum Economic Ministers Meeting (FEMM). Also lead the convening of meetings of subsidiary bodies comprising of Senior Economic Officials, including the Pacific Economic Sub-Committee and Economic Informal Working Group, to support the implementation of key economic decisions from Forum Leaders and FEMM. These are key decision making platforms on all economic and finance related issues in the Pacific which then determines the economic priorities for the Forum Leaders.
- Lead the development of the Pacific Roadmap for Economic Development (PRED), a regional economic policy tool to support the implementation of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and to achieve our Forum Leaders vision for a prosperous Pacific.
- Lead the coordination on activities related to the PRED including works on public financial management, trade, private sector, climate finance, and human mobility (labour market).
- Support, and lead where necessary, engagements with Forum Members, development and dialogue partners in consultations and socialisation of key economic priorities including the PRED and its related works and policies.
- Supported Forum Members in their effort to recover from the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic including the convening of the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Taskforce (CERT) meetings, proposing policy options and implementing CERT initiatives. I led the work on the assessment of the impacts of the COVID-19 disruption on the supply chains in the Pacific which will inform a Supply Chain Forum.
- Lead the work on fisheries and blue economy including policy advise and coordination. Fisheries is a key sector to the Pacific and it is a standing agenda item for the Forum Leaders annual meetings. Fisheries is a key contributor to the Pacific economies. In close collaboration with regional agencies including FFA, SPC and PNAO, we develop policies to support fisheries development and investment. With specific request from Papua New Guinea, I led the development of the East New Britain Initiatives (ENBi), an Initiative endorsed by Forum Fisheries Ministers to increase their economic returns from their fisheries. This Initiative was endorsed by Forum Leaders at their meeting in 2023 and currently a key component of the regional fisheries development efforts.
- Successfully mobilised resources to support the exploration of a more coordinated approach to blue economy works in the Pacific. Successfully developed knowledge products on gaps and opportunities for blue economy in the Pacific.
- Built strong relationships with regional partners including the OPOC, Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), Pacific Community (SPC), South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and University of the South Pacific (USP). I also support, and lead where necessary, the team's engagement with international partners including the UNDP, UNESCAP, World Bank, ADB, and NGOs. I have developed long-lasting relationships with Forum Members and partners to ensure consistent support in service delivery and coordination.
- Manage consultancy services to support the implementation of the team's task. This includes working with donors and managing their financial support to the team.
- Mentored officers, support staff, and fostering a supportive team environment focused on growth, innovation and learning.
- Engage and support organisation wide work related to the formulation of strategic plans, budget formulation and implementation of the 2050 Strategy Implementation Plan.
Lecturer in Ocean Resources Management
University of the South Pacific
07.2016 - 03.2019
- Coordinated undergraduate and graduate courses under the Marine Management Programme including Marine Resource Economics and Principles of Integrated Coastal-Zone Management
- Peer-reviewed research papers and thesis (Master and PhD) of students from USP as well as students from other universities. Evaluated student progress through regular assessments, providing detailed feedback for improvement and growth.
- Conducted research in areas of fisheries economics and management
- Published research papers in prestigious peer-reviewed journals.
- Build partnerships with academic institutions including the University of Wollongong (Australia), Duke University (USA), University of Iceland. This allowed students to have access to resources outside of USP including student exchange programs, and access to teaching materials and other faculty support.
- Cultivated critical thinking skills through challenging assignments that required analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of information from various sources.
- Selected and designed lesson plans and curriculum to meet academic objectives.
- Increased student interest by incorporating real-world examples into lessons and connecting material to relevant experiences.
- Participated in conferences and professional development opportunities to stay up-to-date with latest trends in field.
Co-founder and Member
Pacific Catalyst
10.2016 - Current
- Pacific Catalyst is a think tank aimed at empowering leadership and learning for the future of fisheries. The think tank comprises of fisheries experts from the region and the around the world and provide support to the Pacific Island countries.
- Provided policy advise to support Fiji's effort to increase their economic benefits from their tuna resources.
- Published analytical reports on various policy options to be considered to improve fisheries management and development.
- Provided internship opportunities to young and emerging leaders in fisheries management and development. This paved the way for them to attain scholarships to further their education and opened up opportunities to partner with regional partners to support their research.
Fisheries Policy Advisor (Consultant)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
11.2017 - 05.2019
- In support of the implementation of the Fisheries Sector Plan for Tonga, developed the Tonga Investment Framework and the Tonga Foreign Investment Policy on Fisheries and Related Industries which were endorsed by Cabinet.
- Successfully conducted consultations to gain understanding and support to adopt rights based fisheries management approach to improve the economic benefits of communities from fisheries.
- Facilitated communication and relationship development between different stakeholders.
- Researched existing policies and procedures to gain firm understanding of current conditions.
- Drafted and presented reports outlining policy actions.
- Recommended updates to current legislation, regulations and policies.
Principal Fisheries Officer
Ministry of Fisheries
04.2014 - 07.2016
- Headed the Economic Policy Division of the Ministry and led the development of knowledge products including the Quarterly Reports containing production levels and exports of key fisheries products.
- Led the analysis and development of recommended policy options that saw drastic increase in the Government revenues from fisheries.
- Led the national efforts in the development of the first Fisheries Sector Plan. The Sector Plan was endorsed by Cabinet and have mobilised resources that improved works around fisheries investment and infrastructure.
- Co-authored the first National Marine Ecosystem Service Valuation for Tonga. This report led to the formation of the Ocean's Five in Tonga, a multi-sectoral platform that supports the ocean policy development in Tonga.
- Led a national team in conducting the largest socio-economic survey in the Fanga'uta Lagoon in Tonga which successfully led to policy changes that saw improvements in the lives of 20 plus communities along the lagoon.
- Provided expert guidance and policy advise on the development of various fisheries management plans including the tuna, snapper, seaweed, and aquaculture management plans.
- Lead the collaboration with line ministries including the Department of Environment and the Department Natural Resources, in ensuring coherence in the national initiatives and interventions.
Attachment at SPC
Pacific Community
02.2016 - 03.2016
- Undertook cost-benefit analysis and other economic analysis to support the development of the Tonga Aquaculture Management Plans. Central to this analysis was the determination of feasible designated harvesting areas for aquaculture in Tonga.
Research and Teaching Assistant
Faculty of Fisheries, Kagoshima University
01.2011 - 01.2014
- Supported in the supervision of undergraduate students and provided guidance to the graduate students in their research projects.
- Reviewed research papers that were later published in peer reviewed journals.
- Supported the field trips and site visits with research students
Fisheries Officer
Ministry of Agriculture & Food, Forestry and Fisheries
01.2005 - 01.2014
- Compiled the first Statistical Report for the Ministry of Fisheries
- Conducted data analysis and developed the first Quarterly Reports for the Ministry
- Lead the effort in working with the Statistics Department to improve the reporting of fisheries data in the national statistical reports
- Guided the development of databases in the Ministry of Fisheries which led to the development of a system that is being utilized now improved data management and analysis
- Attachment with the Forum Fisheries Agency and undertook analysis of the distribution systems for fresh tuna from the Pacific Island countries.
Education
Doctorate of Philosophy - Fisheries Economics
Kagoshima University
2014
Masters of Science - Fisheries Economics
Kagoshima University
2011
Bachelor of Arts - Economics and Management
University of the South Pacific
2005
Skills
- Economic policy (macro and micro economics) development
- Pacific regional policy development
- Resource economics
- Strategic development and planning
- Relationship Building
- Presentations and public speaking
- Training and mentoring
- Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA)
- Ecosystem goods and services (EGS) valuation
Affiliations
- Member of the International Science Council's Small Islands Developing States Liaison Committee
- Member of the Regional Program Committee, Oceania Ecosystem Services Forum
- Member of the GEF Pacific Ridge to Reef Regional Science and Technical Committee, SPC
- Program Advisory Committee member, University of the South Pacific's School of Marine Studies
- Founding partner of the Pacific Catalyst
- Member of the Tonga National Trade Negotiation Committee
- Chairperson for the Pacific Island Researchers Forum
- President of the Kagoshima University Foreign Students Association
- Member of the Pacific Island Researchers Forum
Referees
1. Hon. Tiofilusi Tiueti
Minister for Finance
Government of Tonga
St. George Government Building, Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Email: minister@finance.gov.to
Phone: (676) 7400 700
2. Hon. Junior Aini
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of the Marshall Islands to the Republic of Fiji
41 Borron Road, Suva, Fiji
Email: aini.rubenjunior@gmail.com
Phone: (679) 3387899
3. Mr. Zarak Khan
Director for Programmes and Initiatives
Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
Suva, Fiji
Email: zarakk@forumsec.org
Phone: (679) 3312600
Timeline
Programme Adviser Economics
Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat
03.2019 - Current
Fisheries Policy Advisor (Consultant)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
11.2017 - 05.2019
Co-founder and Member
Pacific Catalyst
10.2016 - Current
Lecturer in Ocean Resources Management
University of the South Pacific
07.2016 - 03.2019
Attachment at SPC
Pacific Community
02.2016 - 03.2016
Principal Fisheries Officer
Ministry of Fisheries
04.2014 - 07.2016
Research and Teaching Assistant
Faculty of Fisheries, Kagoshima University
01.2011 - 01.2014
Fisheries Officer
Ministry of Agriculture & Food, Forestry and Fisheries
01.2005 - 01.2014
Masters of Science - Fisheries Economics
Kagoshima University
Bachelor of Arts - Economics and Management
University of the South Pacific
Doctorate of Philosophy - Fisheries Economics
Kagoshima University
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