Friday 04 November 2022 Apia Samoa. Prime Minister Hon Fiame Naomi Mataafa has announced the appointment of Nonu Lemauga Saleimoa Vaai as the new Chair of Samoa’s Public Service Commission.
Nonu was appointed a member of the Public Service Commission just over a year ago in October 2021.
His elevation to Chair of the PSC comes after the resignation of long serving public servant, Lauano Vaosa Epa.
Nonu is an HR Specialist with a demonstrated history of working in the human resources industry.
Nonu is a founding member of the Samoa Human Resource Institute (SHRI).
Nonu has held various roles such as his position as Chair of the Samoa Competition & Consumer Commission (SCCC) and as an Independent Member of the Vetting Committee for Samoa Rugby Union.
Two new members were also announced today to complete the three-member Public Service Commission that oversees the central agency for human resource management and professional development of the public service.
Gatoloai Tili Afamasaga and Fonoti Perelini Perelini have been appointed as the new Commissioners to serve alongside Nonu.
During the announcements of the new positions, Prime Minister Fiame expressed the Government’s appreciation for the service of outgoing Commission member and Chair, Lauano Vaosa Epa.
Fiame thanked Lauano for stepping up to Chair the PSC on an interim basis when Aiono Mose Su’a tendered his resignation in July 2021.
The Prime Minister acknowledged the many years of service by Lauano to the Government of Samoa, including her years as CEO of the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
The Commission has its work cut out for it, with the recruitment and interview process for key Minsitry CEO positions needing to be moved forward.
Advertised applicants for CEO positions of the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Commerce Industry and Labour as well as the Ministry of Justice have all closed.
In the past 12 months, at least seven CEO positions of Government Ministries and SOEs have been appointed after being through the PSC recruitment process.
They include the CEO of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ministry of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Ministry of Finance, Commissioner of Police, as well as CEOs of MCIT, and MWTI.
The Commission members are also invited onto recruitment panels for CEO positions of State Owned Enterprises and Government Authorities.
