Our Team

FIJI

Navitalai Tuivuniwai

Navitalai Tuivuniwai

Country Manager – Fiji

Navitalai brings to PHAMA Plus almost 15 years’ experience in international trade, macroeconomic policy development and private sector investment in Fiji and the region. Prior to joining the Program, he was the Fiji Trade Commissioner to PNG since 2016 tasked with building long term, meaningful and sustainable trade and investment relationships between Fiji, PNG and the key Melanesian countries of Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and New Caledonia. He has amassed experience having held senior economist and analyst positions in the public sector including the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism and statutory bodies – the Fiji Revenue and Customs Services and the Reserve Bank of Fiji. He was born and raised in a small farming community of Lomaivuna in Naitasiri, Fiji and still spends his spare time helping his father in the farm.As the Country Manager Fiji, he leads all PHAMA Plus interventions and activities in Fiji – including technical, cross cutting and operational matters.

Contact: n.tuivuniwai@phamaplus.com.au

Navitalai Tuivuniwai

Country Manager

David Hickes

David Hickes
National Facilitator – Fiji

David brings extensive experience in project management, including leading projects for UNDP and SPC. Until last year he was the Fiji Country Leader for an ACIAR project on protected cropping.

David also spent eight years in the banking sector and provided hands on support to smallholder farmers in financial management.

As National Facilitator, David will support the Fiji country team to build and manage its portfolio of interventions across agriculture and food in Fiji.

David can be contacted on d.hickes@phamaplus.com.au

David Hickes

National Facilitator

Sanita Baleinayawa
Monitoring and Results Measurement Officer – Fiji & Small Island States

Sanita joins PSU office as the new Measurement Results and Monitoring Officer for Fiji and Small Island States. Before joining PHAMA Plus, she worked as a Research Assistant at the University of the South Pacific, focusing on regional climate change impact – related projects. Additionally, she has experience as an Enumerator for PHAMA Plus program, showcasing her excellent skills and knowledge in monitoring and evaluation frameworks.

She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health from Fiji National University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Climate Change from the University of South Pacific.

Sanita can be contacted on s.baleinayawa@phamaplus.com.au

Sanita Baleinayawa

Monitoring & Results

Measurement Officer

Fiji & Small Island States

SAMOA

David Hickes

Kuinimeri Asora Finau
Country Manager – Samoa

With an impressive background in executive management, research, project management and quality assurance, Kuinimeri brings 17 years of valuable experience to our team. Previously, Kuinimeri served at the Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa (SROS) as Acting CEO and head of the Food Science and Technology Division , where she played a crucial role in scientific and technical research for food, plants and the environment. She has worked closely with PHAMA Plus, as a partner and member of the Samoa MAWG. Kuinimeri holds qualifications in Applied Science from The University of Queensland and Project Management from University of Southern Queensland in Australia. She is also a member of the Australian Institute of Food Science & Technology. She can be contacted on k.finau@phamaplus.com.au

Kuinimeri Asora Finau

Country Manager

Kuinimeri Asora Finau
Country Manager – Samoa

Pu’eata has more than 20 years of working experience in agriculture, specialising in soil science laboratory work, agricultural policy and planning including crops research in Samoa having previously worked with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries’ Crops Division. He joins the Samoa office and will support building and managing a portfolio of investments in Samoa’s prioritised export-oriented sectors across agriculture, horticulture, and food.

Contact:p.tanielu@phamaplus.com.au

Liu Pu’eata Tanielu

National Facilitator

Blondie Akwasia
Gender Equality, Disability, & Social Inclusion Officer – Solomon Islands

Blondie Akwasia joins PHAMA Plus as the GEDSI Officer based in Solomon Islands.She formerly worked as a Program Officer at the Coalition Education in Solomon Islands, where she oversaw initiatives focusing on schools, communities, and stakeholders in the education system.

Akwasia has more than eight years of teaching experience, specializing in Economics and Geography.

She is also passionate about working with people and improving the lives of the marginalized, women, girls, adolescents, persons with disabilities, and individuals in disadvantageous situations.

She holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Gender studies from the University of the South Pacific.

Contact: b.akwasia@phamaplus.com.au

Alofisa Poloai

Inclusion & Results

Measurement Officer

SOLOMON ISLANDS

Navitalai Tuivuniwai

Samantha Maeke
Country Manager – Solomon Islands

Samantha re-joins PHAMA Plus as Country Manager Solomon Islands. Previously, she held the role of Senior National Coordinator from July 2018 to June 2019; National Coordinator from July 2017 – 2018 and Group Certification Administrator for the PHAMA-supported Solomon Islands Timber Processors and Exporters Association before leaving to complete her Master of International and Development Economics at the Australian National University.

After returning from her studies in Australia, Samantha joined the Australian funded Solomon Islands Biosecurity Development Program (SIBDP) as the Program Officer supporting the strengthening of Solomon Island’s biosecurity system. She also worked as the Project Support Specialist for Nathan Cadmus, an US-funded investment development program in Solomon Islands.

Samantha has worked as an Accounts Payable Officer at Kolombangara Forest Products Limited; Medical Assistant at Sea Lark Medical Consultants and Executive Personal Assistant to the General Manager of Bank of South Pacific. In November 2015, she joined the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) as Export Industry Development Officer.

Samantha also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Climate Change Management (Murdoch University, Western Australia) and a Diploma in Business Finance (Solomon Islands College of Higher Education).

Samantha is passionate about breaking down barriers in rural development and ensuring equal access to opportunities for marginalized populations in the country through inclusive agricultural economic growth. She envisages that through the work that she does, livelihoods can be improved, protected and ultimately lead to better lives for Solomon Islanders and encourage sustainable development into the future.

You can contact Samantha on s.maeke@phamaplus.com.au

Samantha Maeke

Country Manager

David Hickes

Ronnie Golopitu
National Facilitator – Solomon Islands

Ronnie has vast experience in the public-private sector, revolving around management, organisational, communication and analytical skills, with over four years of expertise in agribusiness advocacy.

Previously, he worked as the Export Industry Development Officer at the Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry where he managed four industry working groups, developed and progressed industry plans, sector strategies, and sustainability roadmaps in alignment with national plans and sectoral policy frameworks.

In his role as National Facilitator, Ronnie will support the Solomon Islands country team in building and managing its portfolio of interventions. He holds a Bachelor of Agriculture Science and a Diploma in Tropical Agriculture from Solomon Islands National University.

Ronnie can be contacted on r.golopitu@phamaplus.com.au

Ronnie Golopitu

National Facilitator

Blondie Akwasia
Gender Equality, Disability, & Social Inclusion Officer – Solomon Islands

Akwasia has more than eight years of teaching experience, specializing in Economics and Geography.

She is also passionate about working with people and improving the lives of the marginalized, women, girls, adolescents, persons with disabilities, and individuals in disadvantageous situations.

She holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Gender studies from the University of the South Pacific.

Contact: b.akwasia@phamaplus.com.au

Blondie Akwasia

Gender Equality, Disability,

& Social Inclusion Officer

SMALL ISLAND STATES

Kotoyawa Tamani
National Facilitator – Small Island States

Kotoyawa joins the Program Support Unit as the National Facilitator – Small Island States, leading our work in Cook Islands, Kiribati, Niue, and Tuvalu.

He has over 11 years of experience as a business and technical adviser in various project management roles, including leading projects for the Market Development Facility (MDF) and the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO).

Kotoyawa holds a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Economics and Tourism Studies, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Commerce, majoring in Tourism & Hospitality Management, from the University of the South Pacific.

Kotoyawa can be contacted on k.tamani@phamaplus.com.au

Kotoyawa Tamani

National Facilitator

TONGA

Tevita Lautaha
Country Manager – Tonga

Tevita joined the PHAMA Plus Program in September 2022 as the Country Manager for Tonga. He brings to the program his almost 20 years working experience with Government including Education, Fisheries and Ministry of Trade and Economic Development. He held various senior positions in the public sector including the role of Principal Trade Officer and Deputy CEO for the Ministry’s Business Supports and Trade Divisions for many years and Acting CEO from 2018 to 2019. He has amassed wealth of experiences in international trade, MSME development, business entrepreneurship, marketing and investment promotions in Tonga and abroad. Tevita is passionate about creating more trade opportunities for Tonga’s agro-export industry through encouraging projects that will contribute to increasing the value of exports for Tonga’s agricultural and horticultural sectors, and have positive impacts on farmers and households in rural areas.

Contact:

t.lautaha@phamaplus.com.au

Tevita Lautaha

Country Manager

Olivia Fukofuka Fulivai

Olivia joins PHAMA Plus in Tonga as the new National Facilitator.

She brings 20 years of experience as a Project Coordinator in both government and non-government organisations, including the Australian and New Zealand High Commissions in Tonga.

She has a proven track record of strong analytical and practical problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify opportunities to build and strengthen networks with a wide range of stakeholders to achieve development objectives and outcomes.

As the National Facilitator, she will support the building and management of the portfolio of investments in Tonga’s prioritised export-oriented sectors across agriculture, horticulture, and food.

Contact: o.fulivai@phamaplus.com.au o.fulivai@phamaplus.com.au

Olivia Fulivai

National Facilitator

VANUATU

Emily Tumukon
Country Manager – Vanuatu

Emily is the Country Manager for the PHAMA Plus Program in Vanuatu. From 1997 to August 2019 she held various positions in the Ministries of Trade, Agriculture and Internal Affairs in Vanuatu, including Acting Director of the Department of Trade and Industry; First Political Adviser to the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, Fisheries & Biosecurity; and First Political Adviser to the Minister of Internal Affairs.

She is a partner in local consultancy business specialising in policy planning, advice and implementation specializing in food safety and food control systems, biosecurity, agriculture and environment.

Emily holds a Diploma in Food Technology from Auckland Institute of Technology, a Certificate in Quality Assurance (Food Processing Enterprises), and a Certificate in Protection of Food Quality in the Supply chain, IAC, Wageningen, 1999, Netherlands.

Contact:

e.tumukon@phamaplus.com.au

Emily Tumukon

Country Manager

Gilrick Joshua
National Facilitator – Vanuatu

Gilrick joins our Vanuatu country office as the new National Facilitator, supporting the Country Manager to build and manage the portfolio of investments and interventions in country. His background is in the education sector in Vanuatu and Solomon Islands, both at the school and national level, having worked previously at Global Partnership for Education Program (GPE) at Vanuatu Ministry of Education and Training, Vanuatu SDA Mission and Betikama Adventist College (Solomon Islands).

He holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of the South Pacific and Bachelor of Education from Pacific Adventist University. He is passionate about sustainable partnership interventions that make a difference in the lives of youths, rural communities, vulnerable people in communities and small businesses.

Contact:g.joshua@phamaplus.com.au

Gilrick Joshua

National Facilitator

Annemarie Robert
Monitoring and Results Measurement Officer – Vanuatu

Annemarie joins our Vanuatu office as the Measurement Results and Monitoring Officer, bringing in an extensive experience of over 10 years in Finance Management and Administration.

Her previous experience includes computerized accounting system – MYOB, XERO & Smart Stream as well as multi & bilateral donor project management work. She holds a diploma in business computing and Certificate IV in Project Management.

Annemarie can be contacted on a.robert@phamaplus.com.au

Contact:

t.lautaha@phamaplus.com.au

Annemarie Robert

Monitoring & Results

Measurement Officer

PROGRAM SUPPORT UNIT

David Hickes

Candice Mohan

Team Leader

Candice joins PHAMA Plus as the new PHAMA Plus Team Leader, bringing more than 20 years of experience working in the public, private and non-profit sectors to support inclusive economic development.

She has worked with communities, industry bodies and SMEs across Australia and the Asia Pacific to deliver regional-scale programs for climate-smart agriculture and fisheries.

Candice previously served as the inaugural Country Director for Conservation International in Timor-Leste, Team Leader for the AUD 5 billion Future Drought Fund at the Australian Department of Agriculture and joins us most recently from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade where she led the First Nations (Indigenous) Trade Unit.

She can be contacted on c.mohan@phamaplus.com.au

Candice Mohan

Team Leader

David Hickes

Nicola Dowsing
Operations Manager

Niki has worked in international development for 20 years. She has worked extensively with NGOs, supporting in-country teams and local partner organisations to design projects, secure funding, manage, monitor and evaluate programs across a range of sectors.

For over 10 years Niki has worked with various contractors on projects in governance, education, public policy, access to finance, including in the Pacific. She’s been with DT Global since 2014, and now oversees operations on PHAMA Plus.

She holds a Bachelor of Geography and a Master of Science in Development Studies.

Contact: n.dowsing@phamaplus.com.au

Nicola Dowsing

Deputy Team Leader

David Hickes

Andy Hunter
Technical Director

Andy joins PHAMA Plus with the newly created role of Technical Director, Andy leads and manages the technical aspects of the program including the BQS, MSD, MRM and the Communications and Knowledge Sharing functions.

This new addition will have a strong focus on knowledge sharing to complement the technical aspects of the program.

As many of you may know already, Andy joins us from MFAT where he was previously the Senior Adviser Agricultural Value Chains and Market Systems.

He brings knowledge and understanding of PHAMA Plus and technical skills to the role and he will support the Country Managers and their teams to implement the work planned for the program.

Contact: a.hunter@phamaplus.com.au

Andy Hunter

Technical Director

Shariful Islam
Senior Portfolio Adviser

Sharif first worked with PHAMA Plus as a short-term Market Systems Development Adviser providing strategic MSD expertise for PHAMA Plus activity delivery following MSD principles to ensure it achieves its goal, purpose and end-of-program outcomes.

Now Sharif has joined PHAMA Plus as Senior Portfolio Adviser to work with Country Managers across six countries to build their strategic thinking and planning skills and help them design and implement interventions across agricultural value chains.

Sharif has more than 14 years of experience in leadership roles in large market systems development programs across South Asia, Africa and the Pacific.

He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science with a minor in Business Policy in Strategy from North South University in Bangladesh.

Contact: s.islam@phamaplus.com.au

Shariful Islam

Senior Portfolio Adviser

Navitalai Tuivuniwai

Bronwyn Wiseman
Biosecurity and Trade Development Adviser

Bronwyn is from Australia and has been involved in agricultural development, trade and biosecurity issues as a consultant, in government policy and regulatory roles, and as a researcher.

She is Biosecurity and Trade Development Adviser for the program. Her interests include the development of sustainable agricultural and food production systems and trade. She has a Bachelor of Agricultural Science and PhD in crop protection from the University of Adelaide.

Contact:

b.wiseman@phamaplus.com.au

Bronwyn Wiseman

Biosecurity & Trade

Development Adviser

David Hickes

Lennard Powell
Program Manager – Biosecurity, Quality and Standards

Lennard is experienced in fruit fly management, including mass rearing, quarantine surveillance and control measures; development of Standard Operating Procedures and Work Instructions; development of Plant Health Emergency Response Plan; International Standards For Phytosanitary Measures review; data management and analysis; agricultural research; conducting surveys; agricultural and development finance, policies and procedures; training facilitation; project management; business/financial management; and performance management systems (personnel appraisals).

He has a Bachelor of Agriculture from the University of the South Pacific, and is interested in agricultural research and plant protection issues, with a focus on market access.

As the Program Manager Biosecurity, Quality and Standards , Lennard is responsible for supporting the delivery of PHAMA Plus thematic area interventions, which include biosecurity capacity-building, compliance, risk analysis, risk-management and risk communication across food safety, animal health and plant health matters.

Contact:

l.powell@phamaplus.com.au

Lennard Powell

Program Manager

Biosecurity, Quality

& Standards

Bikesh Chitrakar
Monitoring and Results Measurement Manager

Bikesh is from Nepal and has a master’s degree in business studies from Tribhuwan University, Nepal. He has been involved in several market systems development (MSD) program for more than 10 years. He has worked in MSD programs funded by DFAT, SDC, and DFID in Nepal, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Solomon Islands, and now in Fiji with PHAMA Plus.

Bikesh joined PHAMA Plus program in November 2020 as a Monitoring and Results Measurement (MRM) manager. He has experience in designing and managing MRM systems adhering to DCED Standards for results measurement for sectors like Tourism, Agriculture, Energy, Food security, Banking and Finance, Emergency response, etc. As an MRM manager, Bikesh is responsible to oversee the monitoring and results measurement department for PHAMA Plus program.

Contact:b.chitrakar@phamaplus.com.au

Bikesh Chitrakar

Monitoring & Results

Measurement Manager

Shameera Shaheed
Senior Monitoring and Results Measurement Officer

Shameera has a range of experience in administrative and secretarial work.

PHAMA Plus has given her a chance to develop her financial skills as well. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Politics and History and a Post Graduate Diploma in Diplomacy and International Affairs.

She has over 2 years of experience in the International Development field and aims to build on her expertise in the area.

Contact: s.shaheed@phamaplus.com.au

Shameera Shaheed

Senior Monitoring & Results

Measurement Officer

Vilisi Gadolo
Gender Equality, Disability & Social Inclusion Officer – Fiji

Vilisi joins our PHAMA Plus team as the Senior GEDSI
Coordinator for Fiji and Small Island Sates, an addition to the
growing GEDSI team across the PHAMA Plus countries.
Since joining in 2022, Vilisi has been an integral part of the
Program overseeing the GEDSI portfolio in Fiji and extended
support to the SIS countries.
Vilisi has extensive experience working in civil society and is
passionate about working with marginalised communities,
especially on the promotion and protection of their rights.

Contact:v.gadolo@phamaplus.com.au

Vilisi Gadolo

Senior GEDSI Coordinator

Fiji & Small Island States

David Hickes

Walter Wasile
Communications Officer (Graphics)

Walter is a seasoned graphic artist who has spent over 14 years working in Fiji. He previously worked for The Fiji Arts Council, Lajerotuma Initiative and World Wildlife Fund as a freelancer designer. Prior to taking up a full-time role with PHAMA in June 2017, Walter worked as the publications assistant for the Pacific Community (SPC).

Contact:

w.wasile@phamaplus.com.au

Walter Wasile

Senior Communications Officer

(Graphics)

Zafiya Shamim
Senior Communications Officer (Digital)

Zafiya joins us as the new Senior Communications Officer based in our Suva, Fiji Office. She began her career as a journalist and gained extensive experience in strategic communication, media relations, digital content management, and gender equality to name a few. While working, she pursued higher education and earned BA in Journalism and Politics & International Affairs from the University of the South Pacific, followed by a Postgraduate Certificate in Gender Studies from the same institution. She then acquired a Master’s in Mass Communications at Liverpool John Moores University, England.

As the Senior Communications Officer, Zafiya will support the implementation of PHAMA Plus’ Communications and Knowledge Sharing Strategy, specifically in its digital footprint and reach both regionally and internationally.

Contact: z.shamim@phamaplus.com.au

Zafiya Shamim

Senior Communications Officer

(Digital)

Angeline Reddy
Human Resources Manager

Angeline joins PHAMA Plus as the Human Resources Manager, based in our Program Support Unit office in Suva.

She brings a wealth of experience in human resources management, spanning nine years across public and international development sectors.

Before joining PHAMA Plus, Angeline worked as the Senior Human Resources Coordinator at Tetra Tech International Development’s Fiji Program Support Facility. She previously held roles of Human Resources Officer, Information Officer (Media Unit) and Labour Officer at the Ministry of Employment, Productivity & Industrial Relations.

She holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Human Resources Management, Employment Relations and International Business Marketing from the University of the South Pacific, along with a Diploma in Journalism and Media from the Fiji National University.

In her role as Human Resources Manager, Angeline supports the PHAMA Plus team in the recruitment, induction and support of long and short-term advisers and locally engaged staff, and in the development and management of HR systems and records.

She can be contacted on a.reddy@phamaplus.com.

Angeline Reddy

Human Resources Manager

Rob Duthie
Market Access and
Trade Development Adviser

Rob is the Managing Director of Kalang Consulting Services, a boutique consulting firm providing specialised market access and biosecurity-related services. Kalang is in partnership with DT Global for the implementation of the PHAMA Plus Program.

He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Entomology. Rob has extensive government and private sector experience in the development and management of international market access, quarantine and biosecurity strategies, policy and programs associated with food security and international trade. This experience includes 10 years with Biosecurity Australia in various positions, most recently as Manager for Asia.

Rob is committed to reducing technical complexity to its simplest, so as to deliver simple and sustainable solutions that promote trade, whilst maintaining quarantine integrity.

Contact:

Phone: +61 422905787

Email: rob.duthie@kalang.com.au

Rob Duthie

Market Access & Trade

Development Adviser

Rupantri Raju
Program Manager – Environment, Climate Resilience

Rupantri joins PHAMA Plus as the Environment, Climate, and Resilience (ECR) Manager as part of our enhanced focus on ECR.

She has over 12 years’ experience in academia, as a researcher and lecturer at the school of science, Fiji National University (FNU) and the University of the South Pacific (USP).

Rupantri has completed her PhD in food technology from Massey University in New Zealand as well as a Master of Science, Postgraduate diploma in Biology and Bachelor of Science (majoring in Biology, Food and Nutrition) from USP.

She has led and contributed to several research work around sustainable food processing and the impact of environmental pollutants on selected seafood in Fiji. Her research using solar technology has been used for community interventions to improve the livelihoods of rural communities and women.

Her PhD thesis focused on designing a solar dryer integrated with a desiccant wheel and development of a novel mechanistic model, which uses climate data to predict the drying process for Fijian cocoa beans. Through her research, Rupantri has also authored several journal papers and a book.

As the program’s ECR Manager, she will work closely with PHAMA Plus country teams and partners to build and strengthen environmental sustainability and climate and disaster resilience in its program activities and interventions.

Contact: r.raju@phamaplus.com.au

Rupantri Raju

Program Manager

Environment, Climate Resilience