Letauilomalo Polataivao-Malaga
Manurewa,AUK
Summary
Collaborative manager with demonstrated procurement and contract management expertise. Documented strengths in multitasking to projects financial management and monitoring & evaluation roles.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Language
Work History
Manager Procurement – GCF-VCP
MINISTRY OF FINANCE, GCF VCP PROJECT , SAMOA
2 2019 - 3 2024
- Prepare annual procurement plans for the project according to the Annual Work Plan & Budget and update the contracts management system for the project
- Review and analyze procurement and contract matters when required from the 4 Implementing Agencies(IAs) of the Project namely the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Works Transport and Infrastructure and also Land Transport Authority
- (Procurement of works and consultancy services related to civil works and also the social sector.) Provide guidance and support in procurement & contract management matters in accordance with project implementation & donor funding arrangements and guidelines
- Provide procurement advice in evaluation meetings and review evaluation reports prior to reporting to the Tenders Board and Cabinet if required
- Coordinate execution of procurement and contract management with the implementing agencies and Accredited Entity of the GCF project
- Contribute to the overall project assessment and evaluation by assessing progress of each Output and activities already implemented if in accordance with funding agreement and if it also aligns with the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework of the project
- Provide inputs to annual project reports and project reviews, monthly progress and quarterly board reports
- Participate in site visits of sub projects under sub activities of the main Outputs of the projects and report on results and any adjustments that needs to be done
- Prepare procurement presentation for new staff information during multistakeholders workshop and assessment of annual work plan and budget for the project
- Provide on the job training for new project staff on procurement guidelines and contract management forms if required and requested by Implementing Agency.
- Assist in the implementation of actions as part of proactive measures to address issues and challenges identified from project implementation
- Act as project manager during Project Manager's absence from work and also perform other duties as assigned from time to time when the need arises.
Principal Loans Management Officer –Aid Coordination & Debt Management Division
MINISTRY OF FINANCE, SAMOA
08.2015 - 01.2019
- Lead the small Loans Management Unit within the Aid Coordination and Debt Management Division responsible for the processing and administration of all of Samoa's loans and grant funded projects mainly from World Bank and ADB
- Attend and provide inputs on project performance reviews and progresses through in-country missions and other projects related dialogue
- Lead the preparation of disbursement of funds, reporting of advances, review of financial accounts prior to submission for audit and other financial related requirements of projects administered in my small unit
- Prepare budget requests for counterpart funding for projects and provide inputs to other funding requirements
- Coordinate the requirements of project execution with implementing agencies, project management teams and follow up on any aide memoire actions required
- Monitor and attend regular project coordination meetings/site visits to assess and report on performance both in terms of physical progress in delivering project outputs, as well as the disbursement of project loan funds and counterpart expenditure
- Monitor loan drawdown requests, compiling accounts for audit and ensure their compliance with loan agreement covenants, MOUs, Cabinet directives, and to ensure that project procurements comply with both lending agency requirements and Government of Samoa procurement guidelines and disbursement regulations and procedures
- Assist the Accounts Division in the compilation of the annual Public Accounts as they relate to all loan expenditures (including counterpart costs), draw-downs, and balances outstanding
- Review project accounts from implementing agencies and project management consultants before preparing requests for annual project audits
- Provide assistance and training to staff both internal and external to the Ministry of Finance as required from time to time
- Assist in the preparation of Official Budget Estimates for the Division
- Act on behalf of the ACEO when assigned from time to time during ACEOs absence and also attend to other duties when directed or needed.
Principal Procurement Officer –Education Sector Coordination Division
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, SPORTS AND CULTURE, SAMOA
08.2014 - 07.2015
- Prepare procurement plans and documentation for the Education Sector through the Cyclone Evan Program
- Compile financial information to incorporate into the Education Sector’s Report for its quarterly meetings
- Chair bid evaluation meetings for the construction of cyclone damaged schools and facilities, prepare bid evaluation reports and circulate for comments before tabling it in Tenders Board
- Draft contracts for construction before sending to attorney general’s office for review before finalization and signing by contractors
- Prepare reconciliation for contracts and conduct site visits to physically assess the level of work constructed
- Assist Monitoring and Evaluation Officer in following up data and progress of the agencies (education sector agencies) to update database and also to provide summary of progress for the whole sector when reporting to management and advisory committees
- Facilitate the Education Sector review of the sector plan to ensure effectiveness of this plan
- Other duties assigned from time to time during the absence of an education sector coordinator.
Senior Loans Management Officer – Aid Coordination & Debt Management Division
MINISTRY OF FINANCE, SAMOA
05.2009 - 07.2014
- Verify project payments and check their eligibility in terms of financing
- Compile registers for each project and reconcile them against government of Samoa’s Financial Management System to ensure transparent reporting of external and internal funds
- Attend meetings on progress of projects
- Attend site visits for physical inspection of aid funded projects
- Initiate and monitor payment of debt servicing requirements on a monthly basis, update schedule of loan repayments and issue quarterly DRMS report on debt position of Government including flows and stock debts outstanding from time to time
- (When Debt functions were combined with loans management)
- Manage and maintain an appropriate computer database to register disbursement including reimbursement, withdrawal application and follow up requests for draw-down of funds from loan accounts kept by the financing institutions.
Loans Management Officer – Aid & Debt Coordination Division
MINISTRY OF FINANCE, SAMOA
09.2008 - 04.2009
- Prepare debt servicing letters for payments of debts
- Enter debt information on CS-DRMS(debt recording system)
- Provide forecasts for Central Banks to ensure sufficient funds in accounts for debt servicing
- Filing documentation of projects
- Check calculations of payments submitted from Implementing agencies before endorsement by Principal Officers
- Assist with compilation of project financials
- Prepare meeting schedules for missions to ensure all relevant agencies are aware and can partake in these meetings
- Assist with other ad hoc duties in the division.
Education
Bachelor Of Commerce - Economics & Banking And Finance
University of The South Pacific
Laucala, Suva, Fiji. 02.2005 - 05.2008
Foundation Certificate of Commerce - Commerce
National University of Samoa
Samoa 02.2004 - 05.2004
Skills
Reliability
Managing Operations and Efficiency
Budget Administration
Schedule Preparation
Administration and Reporting
Teamwork and Collaboration
Project Management
Computer Skills
Decision-Making
Contract Negotiation
Multitasking
Verbal and written communication
Problem-solving abilities
Contract Management
Expense Tracking
Attention to Detail
Budget Management
Problem-Solving
MS Office
Interpersonal Relations
Documentation And Reporting
Operations Management
Analytical Skills
Performance Evaluations
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
Customer Service
Human Resources Management
Project Planning
Training History
- Certificate of Completion – Project Completion Reports, ADB, Suva, Fiji, 08/2018
- Certificate of Completion – World Bank Environment & Social Framework, Samoa, July 1011, 2018, 07/2018
- Certificate of Completion – Voice Secondment Program, Washington DC, 01/09/2017, 07/10/2017
- Certificate of Accomplishment-Public Procurement, Governance Global Practice, The World Bank, 08/2016, 10/2016
- Certificate of Participation – Financial Reporting, IPSAS and Audits for World Bank funded projects, Ministry of Finance, Samoa, 09/14/2016
- Certificate of Completion – Training Workshop on the Preparation of Project Completion Reports, Sydney, Australia, 12/02/2015, 12/04/2015
- Certificate of Participation – Public Sector Procurement, MOF, Samoa, 03/16/2015, 03/20/2015
- Certificate of Completion – Post Disaster Need Assessment Training, MNRE, 10/06/2014, 10/10/2014
- Certificate of Appreciation – SIDS- Samoa, 09/01/2014, 09/04/2014
- Certificate of Attendance – ADB Capacity Building Workshop, Manila, 11/03/2013, 11/05/2013
- Certificate of Completion – Financial Reporting & Audit Seminar, Samoa, 05/23/2013
- Certificate of Completion – CS-DRMS External Debt Module & Public Debt Bulletin, Sydney, 06/18/2012, 06/29/2012
- Certificate of Completion- Advanced CS-DRMS Workshop for elearning participants, London, 05/09/2011, 05/13/2011
- Certificate of course fulfilment – CS-DRMS eLearning, Samoa, 07/2010
- Certificate of Attendance – CS-DRMS 2000+ Training, Tonga, 05/25/2009, 06/05/2009
Personal Information
- Date of Birth: 08/18/86
- Nationality: Samoan
References
- Tevaga Pisaina Leilua Lei-sam, Project Manager – GCF VCP, pisaina.leisam@gmail.com, 685-26026
- Noelani Tapu, Former Principal Loans Management Officer – Aid Coordination & Loans Management Division, Ministry of Finance, noelanitap18@gmail.com, 685-7759707
- David Whitehead, Former Senior Financial Specialist, Worldbank, dbwhead@gmail.com, +61 431936153
Timeline
Principal Loans Management Officer –Aid Coordination & Debt Management Division
MINISTRY OF FINANCE, SAMOA
08.2015 - 01.2019
Principal Procurement Officer –Education Sector Coordination Division
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, SPORTS AND CULTURE, SAMOA
08.2014 - 07.2015
Senior Loans Management Officer – Aid Coordination & Debt Management Division
MINISTRY OF FINANCE, SAMOA
05.2009 - 07.2014
Loans Management Officer – Aid & Debt Coordination Division
MINISTRY OF FINANCE, SAMOA
09.2008 - 04.2009
Bachelor Of Commerce - Economics & Banking And Finance
University of The South Pacific
02.2005 - 05.2008
Foundation Certificate of Commerce - Commerce
National University of Samoa
02.2004 - 05.2004
Manager Procurement – GCF-VCP
MINISTRY OF FINANCE, GCF VCP PROJECT , SAMOA
2 2019 - 3 2024