Georgina Leafa I Tulangi Faotusia
Kingdom Of Tonga
Summary
Research professional with proven track record in economic analysis, climate financing, and policy development. Recognized for delivering comprehensive research reports that guide strategic decisions. Known for collaborative approach and adaptability in dynamic environments.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Economist
Government of Tonga
01.2021 - Current
- My role as an Economist for the Government of Tonga in the Public Finance Management and Research Division at the Ministry of Finance focuses on the following tasks:
- Reviewing the Public Finance Management (PFM) Act
- Monitoring the Public Financial Management Action Plan Reforms Roadmap
- Treasury Instructions Review
- Monitoring the Microloans for Women Initiative
- Researching key public finance management issues and recommending potential ways forward through policy briefs
- Working on the Chart of Account Review to integrate climate and gender outcomes
- Initial drafting of the Grant Financial Management Framework to facilitate grants that contribute to projects aimed at protecting the foreshore against sea level rising, providing financial aid during covid-19 and rebuilding infrastructure after natural disasters and tropical cyclones in Tonga
- Facilitating the Government of Tonga grants process and the evaluation of grant acquittal reports
- Assessing grant project activities and updating the status of each project in the database
- Providing public finance management, operational and administrative support in the Ministry of Finance
- Facilitating Public Finance Management Stakeholder Meetings and preparing reports and minutes
- Analyzing public finance management research data
- Creating Public Finance Management Power-point presentations for high-level meetings
- Facilitating stakeholder engagements to promote prudent public finance management incorporation into the Government of Tonga’s daily operations
Education
Master of Development Studies - Climate Financing
University of Melbourne
Australia08-2025
Bachelor of Commerce - Accounting And Economics
University of Auckland Business School
New Zealand 05-2021
Form 6 & Form 7 (Foundation Studies) - Accounting And Economics
Tonga High School
University Of The South Pacific Tonga 12-2017
Form 3, 4, & 5 - undefined
Tonga High School
01.2015
Form 1 & 2 - undefined
North Bethesda Middle School
Bethesda, Maryland01.2012
undefined
Tonga Side School
01.2010
undefined
International Montessori School
01.2004
Skills
- Leadership skills
- Organization, Coordination, and Planning Skills
- Project Management Skills
- Monitoring and Evaluation Skills
- General Administrative Support Skills
- Public Finance Management Skills and Experience
- Research Skills
- Data Analysis Skills
- Data Collection Skills
- Problem-solving capabilities
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Critical Thinking Skills
- Technological skills Microsoft Office/Excel/PowerPoint/Outlook
Accomplishments
- First Class Honors Master’s Research Thesis in Climate Financing
- Awarded Australia Awards Master’s Scholarship (fully funded prestigious scholarship by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australian High Commission)
- Chosen as Tonga’s ADB Ambassador for PEF Promotion Video at ADB Headquarters (Manila, Philippines)
- University of Auckland 2020 Pacific Business Student of the Year Finalist Award
- University of Auckland Bachelor of Commerce Graduation Certificate
- University of Auckland 2018 Economics Excellence Congratulatory Letter
- Form 7 New Zealand Pacific Scholarship (fully funded scholarship by New Zealand)
- 2017 NZ In-Country Scholarship Awards Recipient
- Form 6 Straight A’s Student Certificate in Preliminary Level Studies
- Form 5 Achieved Tonga School Certificate at Tonga High School
- Form 4 Sub-prefect at Tonga High School
- Form 4 Top Student in Computer Studies Common Test 1 Tonga High School
- Form 6 Top Student in Mathematics Common Test 1 Tonga High School
- Grade 6 Honor Roll Student Certificate at North Bethesda Middle School, Maryland, United States
- Grade 6 Straight A’s Student Certificate at North Bethesda Middle School, Maryland, United States
EXTRACURRICULAR
Member of Oxfam (University of Melbourne) Member of Oceania (University of Melbourne) Member of Tunga Island Aid HTTH Volcanic eruption & Tsunami Group Member of Women in Business Club (University of Auckland) Member of UN Youth (University of Auckland) Member of Commerce @ Pacific Club (University of Auckland) Member of Petani Youth Group at Ha’ateiho Free Wesleyan Church Member of Tonga Youth Choir at Ha’ateiho Free Wesleyan Church Member of TWIGS at United Methodist Church, Maryland, United States Member of Netball community team at Indoor Sports Club, Sandringham
TRAINING & WORKSHOPS & MEETINGS ATTENDED
- Public Financial Technical Assistance Centre (PFTAC) Steering Committee (February 23, 2021)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) Meeting on Tonga’s Economic Outlook (October 2021)
- PFTAC Workshop (November 22-26 2021)
- Asian Development Bank and Ministry of Finance (ADB-MOF) Training on Debt Sustainability Analysis (January 2022)
- Regional Public Financial Management Symposium (March 22-25 2022)
- ADB & World Bank Technical Assistance Meeting (April 2022)
- IMF Macroeconomics Climate Change Science, Economics, and Policies workshop (May 2022)
- PFTAC Pacific Regional Medium Term Debt Management Strategy Workshop (March 2023)
- ADB PEFATraining at ADB Headquarters Manila Philippines (November 2023)
- Public Finance Management Climate and Gender Budget Tagging Meeting (September 2025)
- Government of Tonga Grant Project Meeting (September 2022)
- Ministry of Climate Change Climate Financing and Climate Readiness Meeting (November 2024)
References
- Jeff, Garmany, Master’s Thesis Supervisor, jeff.garmany@unimelb.edu.au, +61390353714, University of Melbourne, Australia, Director of Education and Students, School of Social and Political Sciences
- Lisa, Fiilitonga, International Student Academic Advisor, l.fiilitonga@auckland.ac.nz, +6499236558, The University of Auckland Business School, New Zealand
INTERESTS
Christianity, Family, Climate Financing Advocate, Volunteer Work & Community Service (through my youth clubs and church groups), Career Oriented Goals, Netball, Current Events, Traditional Tongan Dancing
Timeline
Economist
Government of Tonga
01.2021 - Current
Form 3, 4, & 5 - undefined
Tonga High School
Form 1 & 2 - undefined
North Bethesda Middle School
undefined
Tonga Side School
undefined
International Montessori School
Master of Development Studies - Climate Financing
University of Melbourne
Bachelor of Commerce - Accounting And Economics
University of Auckland Business School
Form 6 & Form 7 (Foundation Studies) - Accounting And Economics
Tonga High School
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