Shining our spotlight on our Pacific People that work for our Pacific environment is this Q and A series from your Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).
This week we introduce you to Ms Luana Jamieson, the Senior Human Resources Officer at SPREP. She plays a major role at SPREP given she cares for our most valuable resources at SPREP, that being our staff. From the minute people become part of the SPREP family, right through until the completion of their contracts – is how long Luana cares for them.
Some of her work includes recruitment and selection, performance management, learning and development, contract management, remuneration, staff terms and conditions, relocation and repatriation, policies, and organisational values.
Luana also provides strategic advice and look out for the welfare of our staff and their families.
Learn more about our Human Resources (HR) work at SPREP, all of which helps contribute towards building a sustainable, resilient Pacific.
Q. What has been your greatest achievement in this role?
“Being able to provide support to our staff and their families when needed and on all HR matters, be it guidance on a process or policy, the direction in their roles or assistance in different circumstances and emergency situations, reaching out to check on them, continuing to be of constant support in perilous times, to me is the greatest achievement and brings a sense of fulfilment. Most times I forget my own needs and they take precedence.”
Q. What is the biggest lesson you have learnt on the job in this role at SPREP?
“Whatever task you’ve been given to do, don’t just do it, but do it well and see it to completion.”
Q. What is your vision for the work in your role?
“To raise the standard of our work and make a difference in the workplace. I’d like for us to be an example of positive behavioural change to make SPREP a better place to work.”
Q. If you could share one piece of advice that you have learnt from your work, what would it be?
“HR work is challenging because we deal with people in all different shapes, forms and sizes. We see the good, the bad and the ugly. Our work is often unseen, meaning it's always in the background, the work is not visible or loud that it can be heard or seen. That is the beauty of it.
Take a moment to understand your purpose and your role and know that you are the ears, the hands and the feet on the ground to help our most valuable resources – our people. Never lose sight of that.”
Q. What is a great piece of advice that you have been given?
“Every opportunity is a learning experience; you will always learn something from it no matter how big or insignificant it may be.”
To get in touch with Luana you can email her at: [email protected]