Fiji Civil Service Faces Leadership Shake-Up as Amena Yauvoli Resigns

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka described Amena Yauvoli’s resignation as a loss to the public service, but said the Government would not stand in the way of personal ambitions. He stressed that the machinery of government would keep functioning smoothly and that public servants would be ready to step up as needed. Yauvoli’s departure leaves a gap in the senior ranks of Fiji’s civil service, and Rabuka urged other officers to take up the challenge to maintain the public service’s effectiveness.

Yauvoli stepped down as permanent secretary for the Civil Service and Public Enterprises less than three months after his appointment. He had taken up the role on May 5 this year and is understood to have accepted a senior executive position with the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) office in Suva. A veteran of Fiji’s civil service and diplomacy, Yauvoli previously served as Fiji’s Ambassador to Indonesia and as permanent secretary for Commerce, Trade and Investment, and for Foreign Affairs.

To ensure continuity amid the leadership changes, the Public Service Commission announced acting arrangements. Pita Tagicakirewa, who was the permanent secretary for iTaukei Affairs, Culture, Arts and Heritage, will act as permanent secretary for the Civil Service, while Laisa Bolalevu, director of Monitoring Public Enterprises, will act as permanent secretary for Public Enterprises. The reshuffle reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen governance and public administration in Fiji as senior posts are filled and transitions are managed.

Context and outlook
– Yauvoli’s move to SPREP aligns with Fiji’s focus on regional environmental matters and climate initiatives, areas where his background and experience can be put to work on an international stage.
– The changes follow a pattern of leadership reassignments in Fiji’s civil service, signaling a broader strategy to ensure stable and capable governance across key ministries.

Summary
Fiji’s public service faces a notable leadership transition as Amena Yauvoli resigns after a brief tenure, with SPREP awaiting his senior role in Suva. The government emphasized continuity and urged other officials to rise to the challenge, supported by acting appointments to keep Civil Service and Public Enterprises moving forward.