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PACIFIC PEOPLE: Local Knowledge. Pacific Person Of The Year

International Reach.

AVI Pacific People is the first Pacific-wide specialised end-to-end
recruitment service headquartered in Suva, Fiji. We combine deep local BORN TO LEAD
knowledge with or broad international reach ensuring the best candidate
pool for clients. We also work with clients across all sectors to review
their HR policies and practices, identify gaps and highlight potential Continued from page 11 always tell women is don’t just fight for women’s equality
issues. Based on our assessments, we then provide our professional per se. Try and present yourself that this is the right thing,
advice on practical solutions that will ensure business results are ther’s Fiame title. And it has guided her 36 years career as a
achieved in a sustainable manner. and people should be operating in that way. Because I think
politician. with the gender equality thing, you know, it’s always like the
Established in 2018 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Australian asking permission from someone to allow us to have the full
Volunteers International, AVI Pacific People builds on AVI’s 50 years of Women on top rights and recognition and acknowledgement that I think we
recruitment experience in Australia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, When Pacific Women Leaders convene under the umbrella should take the point that it is ours and what other people,
Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon of the Pacific Islands Forum in January, Fiame will be one of other institutions are doing are wrong,” she told PNG broad-
Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. only two female elected national leaders alongside New Zea- caster Hilda Wayne earlier this year.
land’s Jacinda Ardern (coincidentally another former Pacific When Islands Business interviewed Fiame in November
Our human resources and business solutions services include: Person of the Year). 2020, she expressed concern about Samoa’s role in the region,
Pacific People have become one of SPTO’s most She follows former Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine
Caliper profile assessment valued partners and advisers. Having conducted suggesting there might have been some “regression, espe-
The Caliper Profile is an objective, scientifically validated workplace several key projects for SPTO throughout 2019-2020, and former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard in a very cially around governance issues, democracy.”
assessment that accurately measures an individual’s personality, I can firmly attest to the high level of service, expertise small club. She’s since participated (virtually) in a series of important
characteristics and motivations in order to predict on-the-job and personal care that characterizes the work Sometimes it feels as if that club is shrinking. In Tonga’s discussions in the leadup to COP26, although unable to at-
behaviours and potential. Caliper profiling can be used during employee undertaken by Pacific People. I congratulate the team most recent election, not a single woman was elected, tend the climate conference herself. Samoa will also host the
selection, development, promotion, team improvement, and succession at Pacific People on their first anniversary and look prompting activist Ofa-ki-Levuka Guttenbeil-Likiliki to tell the University of the South Pacific’s embattled Vice Chancellor,
planning. This is a new offering from AVI Pacific People. forward to further strengthening our relationship in ABC that there’s clearly more work to be done: “Talking about Professor Pal Ahluwalia, following his deportation from Fiji
the future. special measures or affirmative action is not something taken and his stint in Nauru. Domestically, there are still court cases
Talent acquisition onboard by our key decision leaders, but I think it’s time pertaining to a couple of constituencies, the status of the
Our recruitment solutions include advertised recruitment, executive and Mr. Christopher Cocker now.”
CEO, Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO)
board searches to recruitment process outsourcing. We have the skills, controversial Lands and Titles Court, the hard work involved
networks, technology, and expertise to deliver high quality support for The fact is, in countries like Tonga, women have not voted in building trust in a civil service that has had 22 years of
local, regional, and international talent recruitment at all levels. for women. HRPP rule, and like the rest of the world, the challenge of
or long-term hire, and our conference room facility may be hired for In Fiji, women’s representation in parliament is better than rebuilding an economy ravaged by COVID-19.
meetings and workshops.
Organisational development in many other Pacific nations, but there’s still inequity. But Fiame’s belief in the ideals of democracy, and respect
We assist clients to improve on the effectiveness and productivity of WHY CHOOSE US? Opposition parliamentarian Lenora Qereqeretabua recently for the rule of law was as steadfast as the volcanic boulders
their people, systems, and processes, to make their workplace more • Our consultants understand workplaces. We have real life business said, “Imagine if Fiji’s Parliament and parliaments across the that line Lotofaga’s coastline this year, rekindling the fire for
results oriented. Our approach starts with an assessment of your experience across a wide range of industry sectors. Pacific, women being represented by people who understand democracy in the hearts of many people—not just in Samoa
organisation’s needs and recommendation of interventions to improve our experiences because you have lived them. but also on the wider shores of the Pacific.
organisational effectiveness. • We know the Pacific. Our knowledge of local issues and our networks “And the way to get there is to vote more women in of- Respect for fundamental freedoms and the rule of law were
across the region have been built over many years. fice or to have more women candidates — women with kids, lessons the people of Samoa, led by Fiame, have taught us.
Rewards
Our experienced consultants can work with clients to design and • We draw upon the combined expertise and experience of our women with no kids, women of different ages, women from Pushed to the edge by Tuilaepa, good sense and common
implement highly effective rewards strategies that support business local consultants with our international reach through Australian different economic, religious and ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQI decency prevailed, and the will of the people eventually won
strategy and will help to attract and retain quality talent. We believe Volunteers International (AVI), to provide the best people solutions women, women with disabilities — let’s have more women the day.
in leveraging financial as well as non-financial rewards to engage and for your workplace needs. candidates.” Instead of falling into the dark and dreadful world of chaos
motivate your people. In Samoa, much has been made of the women who have and anarchy, this Polynesia island nation rose to the apex of a
• We utilise the world’s best recruitment practices and technology to supported Fiame throughout her political career, and espe- bright and promising future.
Leadership development underpin our expertise and experience to maximise our ability to cially when she decided to leave HRPP and take a tilt at the For Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, her life in public
As strong and effective leaders are critical to an organisation’s long- identify, select and validate the right people for you. Prime Ministership with FAST. As ‘Friends for Fiame’ a core
term success, we work with clients to identify potential talent and assist service has taken a full circle as that of her late father,
them in developing and implementing strategic initiatives to empower Our clients include Australian Centre for International Agricultural group of leaders, businesswomen and life-long friends pro- Samoa’s founding Prime Minister, Fiame Mata’afa Faumuina
their leaders to lead with confidence. vided campaigning and moral support. That in turn, inspired Mulinu’u II.
Research (ACIAR), Samoa Breweries, Pacific Tourism Organisation, younger women supporters.
Australian Humanitarian Program, Oxfam in the Pacific, Think Pacific,
Outplacement services Fiji Gas, Ministry of Economy, Yaqara Pastoral Company, Universal Fiame has a pragmatic approach. “One of the things I publisher@islandsbusiness.com
We will offer outplacement services to employees who have been laid Electronics and the Fiji Public Service Commission.
off to enable them to secure another role faster. Outplacement services
can be custom-tailored to suit individual organizations and show the
remaining employees that you care; this in turn will boost employee
loyalty to the company. Contact Us:
Office: Level 2, BSPL Building, Central St., Suva, FIJI
Phone: (679) 3313-229
Business advisory support Email: info@pacificpeople.com
We provide back-office support for clients in relation to their HR and Website: www.pacificpeople.com
administrative functions. Furthermore, we offer “hot desks” on short-

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