Key skills and expertise

Bringing over 48 years of experience in construction project management and infrastructure advisory roles, the expert excels in strategic planning, risk mitigation, procurement management, and contract negotiation. Career highlights include leading international and local initiatives, such as managing the Kiribati Education Improvement Programme and the Environmentally Safe Aggregates Tarawa Project. Responsibilities have included supervising teams, ensuring project compliance, and fostering stakeholder collaboration. Accomplishments include upgrading nine primary schools in Kiribati and establishing a state-owned aggregates company, demonstrating leadership and the ability to deliver complex projects efficiently.

Project experience and donor exposure

With a background in collaborating with international donors, the expert has worked with organizations such as the European Union and the Australian Government's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). The involvement includes project implementation and management, particularly for infrastructure and educational projects. Notably, the expert managed the EU-funded Environmentally Safe Aggregates Tarawa Project and the DFAT-funded Kiribati Education Improvement Programme. These projects were national in scope, focusing on infrastructure development in Kiribati and the Pacific Islands.

Sectors and geographic focus

Worked across diverse projects involving several sectors, including procurement, roads and bridges, civil engineering, water and sanitation, SME and private sector, program and resource management, and architecture. Previously held roles such as Infrastructure Management Adviser, Project Manager, and Senior Site Engineer. The expert has demonstrated cross-cutting expertise in integrating infrastructure development with educational and environmental projects, particularly in the Pacific Islands. This interdisciplinary approach has been applied to regional and country-specific projects, showcasing the ability to manage complex initiatives across diverse sectors.

Background includes positions at various geographic locations, with extensive experience in the Pacific Islands, including Kiribati, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, and Indonesia, along with the United Kingdom. With over 17 years of living and working in Pacific Island countries, the expert has a deep understanding of local governance, cultural dynamics, and regional development issues. This experience includes long-term assignments and significant involvement in infrastructure projects, demonstrating region-specific expertise and a strong capability to navigate complex development environments.

Languages and education

The expert is a native English speaker and is fluent in Tuvaluan. Additionally, there is basic proficiency in Solomon Pidgin, Kiribati, and French. These language skills have been utilized in various professional contexts, including in-country work across Pacific Island nations and collaboration with multilingual teams on international development projects.

The educational background includes a Master of Science (MSc) in Construction Project Management from the University of the West of England, Bristol, UK. Additionally, the expert obtained a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Building Construction from the University of Trent, Nottingham, UK, and an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in Building Construction from Exeter College, Exeter, UK. These qualifications reflect a strong foundation in construction and project management disciplines.