The Public Service Commission has appointed Dr Sivendra Michael as the permanent secretary for Environment and Climate Change.
The portfolio for Environment and Climate Change comes under Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.
Dr Michael holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Master’s Degree from the University of Auckland as well as a Master’s and Bachelor’s Degree from the University of the South Pacific.
He has spent the past 10 years working in climate change adaptation (CCA) and disaster risk management (DRM) fields across the Asia-Pacific and Eastern African regions.
He is currently deployed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to support the Tongan Ministry responsible for Climate Change and Disaster Management, similar to a role he had undertaken with Fiji’s ministry of rural and maritime development in 2021.
Prior to joining UNDP, he worked for various agencies, including the British Council, UN International Labor Organisation and his early careers were dedicated to the strategic policy and planning division of the Pacific Islands Forum.
PSC chair Luke Rokovada said Dr Michael was chosen following a comprehensive and rigorous recruitment process.
He said Dr Michael’s leadership would be vital to drive Fiji’s environmental and climate change priorities.
Dr Michael is expected to start his role on January 29, 2024.
