LAFAELE LUPO
Porirua,New Zealand
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Relationship Manager, Recognised Seasonal Employer: Strengthening Pacific Partnerships (RSE SPP)
MINISTRY OF BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND EMPLOYMENT (MBIE)
05.2020 - Current
- In May 2020, I returned to my substantive role of Relationship Manager – Toso Vaka
- Manū unit withing Immigration New Zealand
- I returned as the country was shutting down due to the Covid outbreak which resulted in change of focus for my role
- Pre-Covid the focus was mainly in the Pacific but now, the focus was in New Zealand and more on the workers who were here
- Some of the key initiatives I was involved and continue to be involved in includes: - Part of Department of Internal Affairs and MBIE’s Operational Group, responsible for the roll out of Government’s $39 million ‘Manaaki Manuhiri Project’ to ensure that the RSE workers were supported throughout the pandemic. - MBIE representative on the regions Civil Defense Emergency Group, responsible for taking a regional approach to support residence including RSE labour mobility workers during the Covid lockdown. - Setup a Mental Wellbeing Service for RSE workers to support workers who were experiencing anxiety, mental and physical stress suffered from the passing of their loved ones back home but couldn’t return due to the lockdown. - Developed a ‘repatriation process’ to safeguard the return of RSE workers starting with Samoa. - Part of the New Zealand government’s collaboration in recruitment of workers from the Pacific under the ‘MIQ’ – manage isolation quarantine travel restrictions
- As further strictions on borders were lifted, another process was implemented – ‘QFT’ – travel free travel
- This was paramount to the survival of the Hort/Vit industry in New Zealand
- Only workers from the Pacific were given exemption by government to come to New Zealand. - Lead capacity development for labour sending units for Pacific States and mobilised resourcing for implementation. - Developed the end-to-end process for worker recruitment from the Pacific that captured roles and responsibilities of diverse stakeholders in the RSE programme. - Set up country engagement mechanisms to ensure regular and ongoing communication with Pacific states. - Lead on stakeholder engagement at all levels on the programme. - Lead on providing cultural advice across RSE in the context of MBIE and RSE industries.
Senior Advisor/ Regional Lead – Manawatu and Whanganui Regions, Provincial Development Unit
MINISTRY OF BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND EMPLOYMENT (MBIE)
07.2018 - 04.2020
- Provide strategic input and leadership across cross-agency Regional work programmes.
- Develop relationships and facilitate investment in Regional Programmes.
- Develop work programmes in conjunction with Manager
- Manage and deliver programmes and managing project budgets
- Work with manager to determine regional programme resources
- Contribute to cross-agency co-ordination and leadership
- Identify strategic issues across regions
- Co-ordinate and maintain an overall programme risks register and regular reporting on project progress including identifying and implementing risk mitigation actions.
- Drive change in the regions through the management of regional relationships
- Identify and manage programme risk
- Manage the needs of Ministers and organize Ministerial visits
- Main accomplishments
- My primary focus was establishing relationships with key stakeholders and disseminating information to engage the interest of the business sector in the region
- However, the following are some of the key accomplishments which may seem small, but have made a difference in the work of the programme in my region: - Developed the engagement strategy to mobilise and engage with key stakeholders in the region including local government, business sector and Iwi. - Mobilized key stakeholders for the first time, in the region and in Government to progress discussions on the provincial development fund. - Brought on board the relevant Government officials to work with the stakeholders in the region on proposal/ project development. - Instrumental in putting in place processes and procedures to enable to smooth running of the programme moving forward. - In collaboration with key stakeholders, increased investment proposals from 15 when I started to over 60 currently. - $50 million of investment was launched by the Minister in November 2018.
Senior Project Advisor - Contractor
CHILD, YOUTH AND FAMILY
09.2008 - 09.2018
- Contribute to the implementation of Programme Management and Project Delivery Plans, for the project
- Develop and integrate policies and procedures to ensure national consistency within the Residential Services provided by Child, Youth and Family
- Provide strategic, tactical and operational advice on how to best meet the project objectives within the organisational environment
- Conduct thorough and timely analysis and investigation on project matters, to ensure decision making is well informed and takes into account the available options, the implications of selecting each and the recommended path forward
- Set up and maintain relationships with the project’s many stakeholder groups, including performing consultation with appropriate stakeholders on all project deliverables
- Provide policy advice to cabinet and government related to the project
- Write briefings to Ministers, CEO/DCE, General Managers and Senior Management team in relation to the project.
- Provide expert advice and support to CYF staff in areas where they have limited knowledge and understanding in relation to; project advice and management, policy advice, process, systems and procedures.
- Main accomplishments
- Project completion at $10 million within budget and timely completion of projects.
- Setting up the health and education services.
- Development and implementation of the programmes and services framework including the monitoring and evaluation process.
- Setting up the governing bodies to oversee the rights of the young people and the operation of the youth justice residence as part of the legislation requirement.
- Development of the ‘Self Care’ strategy for the new youth justice residence.
- Authored key operational documentations including; Emergency Plan, Security Plan, Pandemic Plan, Business Continuity Plan, and Daily Routines and Procedures
- These documentation were adopted by the national portfolio of youth justice residences.
- Development of service contracts and terms of reference documents that were adopted nationally.
- Development, implementation and leading a community consultation strategy that included; local Iwi and hapu, central and local government, NGOs, service providers and local communities.
- Writing communication resources for the community and stakeholder purposes.
- Developed processes, systems and procedures of best practice for the national portfolio of youth justice residences.
- Forged relationships with internal and external stakeholders and maintaining it for the new youth justice residence.
- Winning buy-in from all stakeholders to the design, construction, commissioning and operation of the new youth justice residence in Rotorua.
Relationship Manager, Recognised Seasonal Employer: Strengthening Pacific Partnerships (RSE SPP)
MINISTRY OF BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND EMPLOYMENT (MBIE)
11.2011 - 06.2018
- Management of the relationships with nine participating Pacific Forum Countries n capacity building and management of the Strengthening Pacific Partnerships (SPP) initiative.
- Management of facilitative arrangements agreed in negotiations with the Pacific states
- Development and implementation of country action plans and ensuring issues and challenges associated with implementation, monitoring and evaluation are addressed.
- Managing the relationships with the New Zealand based stakeholders across the public and private sectors, namely Immigration New Zealand, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, employers and the team at MBIE on labour mobility initiatives, and the corresponding reporting requirements.
- Management of the relationships with regional and international organisations including the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade - Government of Australia, World Bank, United Nations and the International Labour Organisation on labour mobility initiatives.
- Main accomplishments
- Designed the framework for the implementation of the SPP programme in Pacific states.
- Designed, authored and led the development and implementation of nine ‘Action Plans’ specific to the needs and requirements of each Pacific state.
- Led the review and development of nine Inter-Agency Understandings (IAUs) to facilitate access for Pacific states sending its nationals to seasonal work in the horticulture and viticulture industries under the New Zealand’s RSE Scheme.
- Developed the RSE ‘end-to-end’ process for each Pacific state to effectively manage recruitment of workers for the New Zealand horticulture and viticulture industries.
- Project manage the ‘database and website development project’ for nine Pacific states
- The Project is ahead of schedule and is within budget.
- Designed the systems and processes for the implementation of Ministerial visits and Secondment programmes from Pacific states.
- Recognised and acknowledged by the Immigration Leadership Team for managing a wide range of relationships across the Pacific, and across the New Zealand government to generate real outcomes for New Zealand and the people of the Pacific.
- Recognised and acknowledged by the Immigration Leadership Team for leading the work to support Fiji’s entry into the Recognised Seasonal Employers (RSE) scheme, as part of the transitioning phase of Fiji’s return to democracy.
- Acknowledged by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s High Commissioner in Fiji for the strength of my relationship skills with Fijian officials including the Minister, to effectively and efficiently manage potential risks with the transitioning of Fiji’s entry into the RSE scheme.
- Recognised and acknowledged by the Immigration Leadership Team, for representing Immigration New Zealand and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment well and being a great ambassador for the Immigration New Zealand brand
- Subsequently I was awarded Brand Ambassador for Immigration New Zealand in 2016.
- Acknowledged in the SPP independent evaluation report for exceeding expectation in the management and operation of the SPP programme in Pacific Forum countries.
Senior Advisor - Contractor
ARCHIVES NEW ZEALAND
10.2010 - 11.2011
- Support the provision of leadership to the community sector including Māori to ensure that they have the capacity to source, record and preserve archival materials and tāonga of long term historic value to New Zealanders.
- Raise the awareness of community groups about the importance of archiving that enhances the care of tāonga and records of high value held in community archives, community organisations including iwi, hāpu and whanau.
- Main accomplishments
- Development and implementation of the following: - Training framework. - Community archives communications strategy. - Community archives community engagement strategy. - Community archives quarterly newsletter. - Raising the profile of community archives within Pacific communities.
Project Manager & Senior Policy Analyst
MINISTRY OF PACIFIC ISLAND AFFAIRS
01.2005 - 01.2008
- As the Project Manager, responsibilities included: - Overall management of the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs Project Team. - Setting up the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs project framework. - Lead the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs flagship projects including the Pacific Prosperity Conference, Pacific Economic Action Plan and the Mind Your Language (MYL) project. - Support the Chief Executive in relation to ‘Special Projects’ directed by the Prime Minister, Cabinet and Minister. - Set up a consultation and reporting governance group for both the public sector and the private sector. - Set up a community consultation framework. - Set up reporting system including documentation, structure, delivery and presentation contents, and processes and procedures. - Prepare and deliver high level presentations to Minister, Chief Executives (CEO) Forums, Senior Management and Senior Officials. - In the absence of the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs CEO, accompany the Prime Minister and/or Ministers in ministerial delegation to the Pacific. - Staff management and conduct staff performance reviews. - Provide leadership and expertise into the scoping, development and implementation of the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs regional projects. - Develop communication strategies. - Manage, lead and mentor junior staff members.
- As Senior Policy Analyst responsibilities included: - Undertake full responsibility and management for providing high quality and effective policy advice on the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs portfolios of: - Economic Development - Community Development - Housing - Department of Internal Affairs - Local government - Department of Labour - Immigration NZ - Broadcasting - Sports and Recreation - Foreign Affairs; and - Senior Citizens. - Write and contribute to the development of cabinet papers, ministerial briefings and OIA requests. - In the absence of the CEO and/or Policy Director, represent the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs in steering committee meetings. - Prepare and present update reports when requested by the Minister, CEO, Senior Management and Officials. - Manage, lead and mentor junior staff members
- Main Accomplishments as Project Manager: - Scoped, developed and implemented the Pacific Prosperity Conference to a successful conclusion. - Lead advisor in the development of the Pacific Economic Action Plan, signed and endorsed by over 20 central government agencies
- The Pacific Economic Action Plan became a key document in the development of government policies
- The report was launched by the Prime Minister and the project was achieved with zero budget to the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs. - Architect of the Mind Your Language (MYL) project for Tokelau, Niue and Cook Islands communities
- The MYL project was 2 years ahead of schedule and within budget
- The MYL project resulted in the development of reading resources and websites (first Pacific language websites in NZ or the Pacific) that would facilitate the building a critical mass of Pacific language speakers
- The successful implementation of the MYL project led to discussions for the setup of a Pacific language commission to underpin all issues relating to Pacific languages in New Zealand. - My staff were promoted to Senior roles within the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs.
- As the Senior Project Analyst, the following were my main accomplishments: - Successfully lobbied cabinet for the full portability of the Superannuation Scheme to include Pacific Countries. - Successfully argued for and received from all key government agencies their agreements to include Pacific issues in the development of all cabinet papers, and, the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs to be consulted on all papers relating to Pacific issues. - Successfully argued for the inclusion of the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs CEO in key Chief Executive Forums. - The Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs became a key part of the Senior Officials governance and decision making group. - Represented the New Zealand Government in high level discussions with delegations from Pacific countries. - Set up community consultation structures for the purpose of the public sector when meeting with the Pacific community in New Zealand. - Part of the working group that developed the Pacific Monitoring and Evaluation Framework. - Part of the working group that developed the Pacific Analysis Framework for the public sector. - My Analyst was promoted to the position of Senior Policy Analyst.
Acting Manager Christchurch Office
MINISTRY OF PACIFIC ISLAND AFFAIRS
12.2004 - 03.2005
- Responsible for the management and day to day operation of the Christchurch regional office.
- Engagement with senior management of regional agencies, local councils and private sector.
- Engagement with Pacific community leaders.
- Main Accomplishments
- Restructured the Christchurch Office to be more effective in its policy advice role and programme delivery to key stake holders.
- Developed staff processes and accountability measures.
- Successfully advocated for the involvement of the Ministry in central and local government strategic discussions and decision-making process.
- Developed a professional development framework for staff.
- Successfully lobbied for the inclusion of the regional office in decision making bodies and/or advisory boards to articulate the issues relating to Pacific peoples and communities in New Zealand.
- Setup effective consultation structures and processes with key community groups in Christchurch and the South Island.
- Develop key communication strategies to promote the Ministry of Pacific Island brand in the South Island.
- Received high praises from the CEO and Senior Management of the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs for the work carried out at the Christchurch Regional Office.
Senior Policy Analyst
MINISTRY OF PACIFIC ISLAND AFFAIRS
01.2003 - 01.2005
- Lead Analyst in the scoping, development and implementation of the Ministry’s flagship projects including the National Pacific Radio Network (NIUFM), Reducing Inequalities, Capacity Building and Prime Minister’s apology to Samoa.
- Undertake portfolio management and responsibilities for providing high quality advice on the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs portfolio of: - Housing, - Immigration, - Internal Affairs, - Small to Medium Enterprises, - Business Development, and - ICT.
- Write and contribute to the development of cabinet papers, ministerial briefings and OIA requests.
- In the absence of the CEO and/or Policy Director, represent the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs in steering committee meetings.
- Prepare and present update reports when requested by the Minister, CEO, Senior Management and Officials.
- Manage, lead and mentor junior staff members
- Main Accomplishments
- Promoted to the joint role of Project Manager and Senior Policy Analyst.
- Highly sought after by other government agencies to provide high quality advice in the development of their policies in relation to Pacific issues and priorities.
- Developed the Ministry’s Pacific Housing Strategy.
- Lead Analyst in the scoping, development and implementation of the National Pacific Radio Network - NIUFM.
- Lead Analyst in the development and implementation of the New Zealand Prime Minister’s Apology to Samoa – a historical process which has impacted positively on the relations between New Zealand and Samoa.
- Argued successfully for the inclusion of a Pacific representative on the National Advisory Board of the MED ICT Strategy Board.
- Argued successfully for the inclusion of the Ministry’s CEO in key Chief Executive Forums.
- The Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs became a key part of the Senior Officials governance and decision making group.
- Represented the New Zealand Government in high level discussions with delegations from Pacific countries.
- Set up community consultation structures for the purpose of the public sector when meeting with the Pacific community in New Zealand.
- Part of the working group that developed the Pacific Monitoring and Evaluation Framework.
- Part of the working group that developed the Pacific Analysis Framework for the public sector.
- My Analyst was promoted to the position of Senior Policy Analyst.
Education
Postgraduate Qualification - Economic Development
Auckland University of Technology
10-2009
Accomplishments
- Brand Ambassador, Minis
Timeline
Relationship Manager, Recognised Seasonal Employer: Strengthening Pacific Partnerships (RSE SPP)
MINISTRY OF BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND EMPLOYMENT (MBIE)
05.2020 - Current
Senior Advisor/ Regional Lead – Manawatu and Whanganui Regions, Provincial Development Unit
MINISTRY OF BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND EMPLOYMENT (MBIE)
07.2018 - 04.2020
Relationship Manager, Recognised Seasonal Employer: Strengthening Pacific Partnerships (RSE SPP)
MINISTRY OF BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND EMPLOYMENT (MBIE)
11.2011 - 06.2018
Senior Advisor - Contractor
ARCHIVES NEW ZEALAND
10.2010 - 11.2011
Senior Project Advisor - Contractor
CHILD, YOUTH AND FAMILY
09.2008 - 09.2018
Project Manager & Senior Policy Analyst
MINISTRY OF PACIFIC ISLAND AFFAIRS
01.2005 - 01.2008
Acting Manager Christchurch Office
MINISTRY OF PACIFIC ISLAND AFFAIRS
12.2004 - 03.2005
Senior Policy Analyst
MINISTRY OF PACIFIC ISLAND AFFAIRS
01.2003 - 01.2005
Postgraduate Qualification - Economic Development
Auckland University of Technology
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