Fiji’s Public Service Commission has announced the appointment of 11 permanent secretaries.
It said the appointments followed an extensive recruitment process, and was also in agreement with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.
The appointments:
- Dr Andrew Tukana
Dr Tukana is the new PS for Agriculture and Waterways. He served in the agricultural sector for more than 30 years. He has served in Fiji and the Pacific region and brings with him extensive senior leadership experience. He holds a PhD degree in Animal Health/Livestock Disease surveillance, MSc degree in Applied Science, Bachelor’s degree in Tropical Agriculture and Diploma in Tropical Agriculture. Dr Tukana replaces Dr Vinesh Kumar who has been acting in the position since March 17, 2023.
- Parmesh Chand
Mr Chand has been appointed PS Civil Service and Public Enterprises. He has served in senior executive leadership roles for more than 30 years. Mr Chand has designed and delivered public sector leadership courses for middle to senior level public servants in Fiji, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Cook Islands and Kiribati. He has also provided high level strategic advice to Governments of Solomon Islands, Tonga and Marshall Islands on public service reforms and provided leadership direction to implement high level strategic matters such as accountability, governance and leadership. He holds a Masters degree in Economic Studies and a Bachelor of Arts degree. He replaces Susan Kiran who has been posted as Secretary to Cabinet.
- Selina Kuruleca
Ms Kuruleca is the new PS for Education. She has extensive experience working in various capacities as consultant, therapist, team leader, board chair and manager. She brings a wealth of knowledge from working in the civil service, banks, non-government sector both locally and internationally, and technical partners such as World Health Organisation, United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Children’s Fund. Ms Kuruleca is highly qualified in the area of psychotherapy. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Counselling and Psychology, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Management and Public Administration. Ms Kuruleca replaces Dr Anjeela Jokhan who resigned earlier this year.
- Jone Maretino Nemani
Mr Nemani is the new PS for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations. He has accumulated 33 years of work experience locally, regionally and internationally working in diverse industries. He has extensive experience in strategic planning and advisory capacities at executive, national, regional and international level, delivering clear policies and workforce direction for government, corporate and state entities. Mr Nemani was a former PS for Youth and Sports and was the Director for People and Workforce Strategy at USP. He has a Master of Commerce degree in Human Resources and Business, Bachelor of Arts in Employment Relations, Public Administration and Management and a Diploma in Industrial Relations and Personnel Management. He replaces Atish Kumar who has reverted to his substantive position as Director Labour Standard Services.
- Atelaita Rokosuka
Ms Rokosuka is the new PS for Fisheries and Forestry. She is a career civil servant having served for the past 27 years in many capacities in various ministries before becoming Acting PS for Fisheries and Forestry. She has a Post Graduate Diploma in Management and Public Administration, Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and Financial Management and a Diploma in Education. Ms Rokosuka has been acting in this position since February 1, 2023.
- Dr Lesikimacuata Korovavala
Dr Lesikimacuata Korovavala is the new PS Foreign Affairs. Dr Korovavala has more than 35 years of experience in executive leadership, change management and international relations. He has served in academia and as an International Policy Advisor offering advisory and consulting services to clients on security management, international policy, international relations, policy analysis, capacity building, project management and human resource development in Australia, Asia and the Pacific regions. He had served previously as PS for Home Affairs. Dr Korovavala holds a PhD in Politics, Masters in Defence and Security Analysis and several Diplomas and Certificates in the field of policy, international law and project management.
- Mason Smith
Mr Smith is the PS Home Affairs and Immigration. He has more than 38 years of experience serving in the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, Acting Head of Mission with the Fiji Mission to the United Nations in New York, PS for Agriculture and was responsible for implementing several government policies and programs in a cost effective and efficient manner. He also served as director for several boards, chairman of the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji and in leadership roles in the private sector. He worked in an executive capacity with Goodman Fielder. For the past six years, he has been the Regional Director for International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). He has Masters degrees in Management and Defence Studies, Post Graduate Certificate in Diplomacy and several Peace and Service Medals.
- Manasa Lesuma
Mr Lesuma has been appointed PS Housing. He is a career civil servant progressing steadily through the ranks in senior executive roles. He served as Deputy Secretary Operations at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport and CEO at the National Fire Authority. He also served as PS for Defence, National Planning and Policing since 2019 which became Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs and Immigration this year. Earlier this year, he was reassigned as acting PS for Housing. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering and Advanced Diploma in Mechanical Engineering. Mr Lesuma took over from Sanjeeva Perera who has resigned.
- Pita Wise
Mr Wise has been appointed PS Office of the Prime Minister. He has a wealth of knowledge and extensive experience in the civil service. He has served for more than 36 years in various capacities from Economic Planning Officer to Deputy Secretary and Permanent Secretary in several ministries. Mr Wise holds a Master’s degree in Economics and Bachelor’s degree in Economics. He assumes this role from Yogesh Karan who has been reassigned as PS for Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar Industry.
- Isoa Talemaibua
Mr Talemaibua is the new PS for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management. He is the Head of Budget at the Ministry of Finance at present. He worked in the private sector before being recruited as an Economic Planning Officer at the Budget Division in 2009. Mr Lesuma graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and completed his Post Graduate Study in 2009.
- Eseta Nadakuitavuki
Ms Nadakuitavuki is the new PS for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation. She has more than 35 years working experience and has held executive roles in the banking industry. She has been at the forefront of negotiations with the Department of Social Welfare and Poverty Alleviation for disbursement of social welfare assistance. Ms Nadakuitavuki is the chairperson of the Women Entrepreneurs Business Council and has firsthand experience in articulating strategic initiatives for women such as mentorship and the women economic empowerment programs. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree, Diploma in Management Studies and Certificate in Banking. She is serving as chairperson, director and member of various Boards. She is a member of the Global Banking Alliance for Women.
PSC chairperson Luke Rokovada says all new appointees are Fijian nationals, “which is a testament to Fiji’s expanding talent pool and the civil service’s success in attracting outstanding applicants”.
He said the appointments would come into effect at various dates from June.
