Community development specialist and current Chief Executive of Save the Children Fiji, Raijeli Nicole, aappointed Oxfam’s new Regional Director for the Pacific.
Worldwide development organisation Oxfam has appointed community development specialist and current Chief Executive of Save the Children Fiji, Raijeli Nicole, as its new Regional Director for the Pacific.
Oxfam New Zealand’s Executive Director Rachael Le Mesurier welcomed the appointment: “It’s a delight to have Raijeli join the Oxfam family. Raijeli is incredibly talented and will help Oxfam become even more effective in reducing inequality and poverty across the region. It’s fantastic to have a strong Pacific woman holding a key leadership role in Oxfam’s Pacific work.”
Oxfam Australia Executive Director Dr Helen Szoke said “Women’s leadership is a pivotal part of our work in the Pacific and Raijeli’s appointment will only enhance Oxfam’s commitment to women’s rights and community-led development.
“Raijeli’s clear vision is backed up with impressive regional knowledge and outstanding credentials. It’s an honour to have her join us.”
Raijeli is a Fijian national with a Masters in International Law and Politics and is currently the Chief Executive Officer for Save the Children Fiji. Raijeli worked in New Zealand for the Department of Internal Affairs, where she led the Pacific Community Post Earthquake Recovery Strategy following the 2011 Christchurch earthquake. She also led the Asia Pacific women’s rights advocacy organisation Isis International, based in the Philippines.
“Oxfam in the Pacific is a network of partners and stakeholders that will work to strengthen the voices and actions of ordinary Pacific people, helping them to address poverty, security and justice in the region. I feel really privileged to be part of this process and vision” said Raijeli.
The Regional Director for the Pacific is a new position within Oxfam that will provide strategic direction and coordination of Oxfam’s programme, advocacy and humanitarian work in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, Micronesia, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.
The position will be based in Suva, Fiji. Raijeli assumes the position September 1, 2015.
