Mele Fonua-Holani
Suva,Fiji
Summary
Experienced project management specialist with comprehensive experience in leading projects from inception to completion. Skilled in coordinating cross-functional teams, optimizing processes for efficiency, and implementing innovative solutions to complex challenges. Proven ability to deliver projects on time and within budget while maintaining high standards of quality. Demonstrated success in enhancing operational workflows and significantly improving project outcomes through strategic planning and effective communication.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Project Officer – Pacific Girl
The Pacific Community
Suva
10.2022 - Current
- Oversee and facilitate grants for adolescent and youth program implementation, and monitor progress in Tonga and Chuuk State, FSM, to bring about social change in these communities under the Pacific Women Lead Program at SPC.
- Planned, organized, and implemented workshops, site visits, and country missions to monitor the progress of the projects in-country, and reported on progress.
- Lead partners in renewing partner agreements by assisting in their direct grant applications, concept notes, risk assessments, capacity assessments, SER impact assessments, and assisting in drafting the grant agreement.
- Oversee the financial aspects of allocated projects, including budgeting, forecasting, expenditure tracking, and reporting processes.
Program Manager & Program Coordinator
Talitha Project
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
03.2022 - 10.2023
- Organized and Implemented the My Body! My Rights! Adolescent Program.
- Delivered workshops, focus group discussions, awareness sessions, and life skills training to Tongan adolescent girls aged 9 to 14 across Tongatapu (including UNFPA’s FLE draft curriculum).
- Developed training tools, policies, and M&E tools for the proper evaluation of the MBMR Program.
- Coordinated and implemented One Girl's Let's Tok digital wellness initiative: conducting co-design workshops, analyzing information, and facilitating online learning.
- Report writing and financial acquittal for both MBMR and Let's Tok programs.
- Created an internal workplace policy to facilitate a healthy working environment.
Awareness and Education Officer & Policy Analyst
Ministry of Trade and Economic Development
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
11.2018 - 03.2022
- Created infographics and process mapping for the purpose of efficient plan implementations, and measuring performance.
- Created a more efficient consumer complaint resolution process.
- Conducted community and school outreach and awareness in remote, rural villages, and outer islands.
- Designed information tools: banners, billboards, pamphlets, and online posters.
- Managed public relations for the Ministry for some time, hosting radio talk-back shows, television programs, and media.
Project Founder and Manager
Young Entrepreneurs for Social Change (YESC)
Ha'ateiho, Tonga
04.2019 - 08.2021
- I contacted all business barber owners and assessed their places of business to see their immediate needs.
- Established communication and developed a friendly relationship with all the barbers.
- Procured barber chairs, head shears, and uniforms for barber owners, and in return, barber owners have started to allow me to use their spaces to educate young boys about youth problems such as drugs and alcoholism.
Chief Operating Officer & Secretary to the Board
Tonga Youth Leaders
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
01.2019 - 01.2021
- Assisted in the development of Tonga's first youth vote handbook, promoting the political participation of youth in Tonga.
- Assisted in the organization and implementation of She Leads Falealea, a mock parliament initiative for women drafting bills and motions for debate.
- Developed implementation plans for youth work in education, health, social entrepreneurship and women in politics
- I represented Tonga at the 10th Commonwealth Youth Parliament in Delhi, India, in 2019.
- Sat as the first chairwoman of the Whole-House Committee for the National Mock Parliament Initiative, Tonga Youth Parliament 2020.
Value Chain Officer
Mainstreaming of Rural Development and Innovation Tonga Trust
Tofoa, Tonga
08.2018 - 10.2018
- Strong relationship-building with town officers and farmers in rural communities.
- Distributing seedlings and vegetables to home gardens in rural communities.
- Planting, watering, and maintaining greenhouses and plants.
- Facilitated community planning with locals to create plans for the management of land resources and water resources.
Assistant Secretary
Tonga Student Association
Suva
01.2018 - 06.2018
- Organize social events with the Tongan community, including welcoming and farewell events.
- Represent the Tonga Student Association to the USPSA committees to voice opinions from the Tongan community, especially during student government elections.
- Keep minutes at association meetings, and monthly reports to be reported to the Tonga Student Association body.
Research Intern
Pacific Island Forum Secretariat
Suva
04.2018 - 05.2018
- Conducted research work for the PIFS Governance and Engagement Department.
- Reported on the financial inclusion policies of PIFS.
- Reviewed admission criteria for PIFS dialogue partners and observers, and created infographics for information purposes.
- I analyzed the meeting papers from previous PIFS meetings and uploaded them to the PIFS website.
- Conducted preparatory and background research for New Caledonia's referendum in November 2018.
- Sorted and organized files, spreadsheets, and reports.
Education
Bachelor of Commerce - Politics and Public Administration
UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC
Suva06.2018
Certificate of Foundation - Social Studies
UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC
Tonga03-2015
Skills
- Project Coordination and Management
- Communications
- Relationship building
- Analytical Skills
- Report Writing
Publications
- Co-author for Chapter 2: Social Inclusion and Resilience of the book, Islands and Resilience: Experiences from the Pandemic Era.
- Author of the chapter "Empowering Youth Parliamentarians" for The Parliamentarian 2020, Issue Two, Volume 101
Hobbies
- Volunteer work
- Playing guitar and songwriting
- Playing rugby
Professional Referees
Lanita Waleanisia (direct supervisor)
Project Coordinator - Pacific Girl
Pacific Women Lead at SPC
+679 2898600
lanitaw@spc.int
Kaisha Crupi
MEL Manager
Pacific Women Lead at SPC
+679 35370
kaishac@spc.int
Salaseini Tupou
Manager Programmes
Pacific Women Lead at SPC
+679 35578
salaseinit@spc.int
Timeline
Project Officer – Pacific Girl
The Pacific Community
10.2022 - Current
Program Manager & Program Coordinator
Talitha Project
03.2022 - 10.2023
Project Founder and Manager
Young Entrepreneurs for Social Change (YESC)
04.2019 - 08.2021
Chief Operating Officer & Secretary to the Board
Tonga Youth Leaders
01.2019 - 01.2021
Awareness and Education Officer & Policy Analyst
Ministry of Trade and Economic Development
11.2018 - 03.2022
Value Chain Officer
Mainstreaming of Rural Development and Innovation Tonga Trust
08.2018 - 10.2018
Research Intern
Pacific Island Forum Secretariat
04.2018 - 05.2018
Assistant Secretary
Tonga Student Association
01.2018 - 06.2018
Bachelor of Commerce - Politics and Public Administration
UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC
Certificate of Foundation - Social Studies
UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC
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