Current Projects

In 2024, I am excited to be part of some new projects that are very different in scope but interrelated in many ways. On one hand, I have a policy development project which is quite high level and will most likely generate several other cascading legislations and operational policies. On the other hand, I am also engaged in community and grassroots level to advocate policy implementation and feedback.

Skills I bring into projects include;

Leadership
Community Engagement
Research and Analysis
Communication
Planning and Design
Foresight Strategy
Business Modelling

PROJECT TITLE:

Blue-Green Economy Policy for the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Papua New Guinea

CLIENT: Office of the Regional Member for Bougainville, National Parliament of Papua New Guinea

SCOPE: The scope of this project encompasses spearheading the development of comprehensive policy and legislative frameworks to propel Bougainville towards sustainable blue-green growth. This involves orchestrating inclusive stakeholder consultations among government entities, businesses, NGOs, and local communities. Additionally, it entails providing support for business development initiatives aimed at fostering economic advancement within the region.

ROLE: Project Lead and Blue-Green Economy Specialist

PROJECT TITLE:

Panguna Legacy Impact Assessment, Papua New Guinea

CLIENT: Panguna Legacy Assessment Company, Brisbane, Australia

SCOPE: The scope of the Legacy Impact Assessment is to identify and assess the actual and potential environmental impacts caused by the Panguna mine since the cessation of mining in 1989 and the social and human rights impacts that are directly connected to these environmental impacts and to develop recommendations for what needs to be remedied to address or mitigate these impacts.

ROLE: Member, Technical Steering Committee specialing on Social Characterization and Human Rights Impacts.

PROJECT TITLE:

Framework Development for Sustainable Cocoa on Bougainville

CLIENT: Soraken Cooperative; Office of Regional Member for Bougainville in the PNG National Parliament

SCOPE: My role involves designing a project management framework for the development of a "sustainable cocoa" production ecosystem within the Soraken Cooperative. This initiative is a crucial component of Bougainville's Blue Green Economy agenda. The sustainable cocoa project aims integrate biodiversity conservation efforts with cocoa production, fostering a synergistic business model that enhances yields while preserving the integrity of the local ecosystem.

Your responsibilities encompass, but are not limited to, the following:

• Conducting a thorough assessment and evaluation of existing frameworks related to cocoa production and sustainability.
• Engaging stakeholders at various levels, including farmers, community leaders, government entities, NGOs, and potential buyers, to gather insights and foster collaboration.
• Conducting extensive research to identify and analyze best practices in sustainable cocoa farming, drawing from global experiences and adapting them to the local context.
• Designing a robust framework for sustainable cocoa production, delineating clear goals, objectives, and key performance indicators (KPIs) to guide the cooperative's efforts.
• Providing support to the Soraken Cooperative in establishing strategic partnerships and collaborations with relevant organizations, institutions, and businesses.
• Engaging in policy advocacy endeavors to advocate for supportive policies at the regional and national levels, promoting the adoption of sustainable cocoa farming practices.

ROLE: Research and Analyst

Past Projects

This sections contains brief details of two projects that I was involved in, in my capacity as a consultant within the Asia Pacific region. These two projects show my versatility in working and leading teams across different countries and organisations. The managerial and leadership tools I learnt through these projects are invaluable and are transferable into any policy and developmental area of interest to clients.

Not included in this brief are projects that I have led for the government in my capacity as the Director for Policy and Planning with the Papua New Guinea Science and Technology Council and Secretariat.


PROJECT TITLE:

Design and Management of UNESCO Regional Workshop on World Heritage in Pacific Island Countries (2023)

CLIENT: UNESCO Regional Office, Apia, Samoa

SCOPE: I was involved as a member of a Technical Expert group in natural and cultural heritage to design, deliver, and facilitate a Workshop on World Heritage Tentative listings. The technical expert group also delivered post workshop documentaries.

The purpose of the workshop was to bring together representatives of all State Parties from the Pacific Island Countries into a round table discussion to explore and develop a comprehensive recommendations for World Heritage considerations in the Pacific. While emphasizing a national-led inventory of potential World Heritage Sites, the workshop intention was to enhance awareness and comprehension of the World Heritage Convention. At the same time, to have integrated topical discussions around customary land and the involvement of indigenous communities in the World Heritage context.

ROLE: Technical Consultant, Pacific Policy and Planning

PROJECT TITLE:

APEC Domestic Innovation Systems and Networks (2018)

CLIENT: Policy Partnership in Science, Technology and Innovation Fora, Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, Singapore

SCOPE: Dr. Noro designed and proposed this project in 2018 with co-sponsors from the Indonesian Government and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The purpose of the project was to establish a working group with various science and technology agencies from the 21 APEC member economies and develop a manual of best practices and country experiences on the role that innovation plays in enhancing economic and productivity growth. This 12 month projected culminated in PNG hosting an APEC Workshop in Port Moresby, which was attended by Australia, China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Malaysia, PNG, Peru, Russia, Thailand, USA, and Vietnam.

A Manula on Domestic Innovation Systems and Networks was published by APEC in 2020. As a policy outcome of the 2018 APEC hosed by PNG, Dr. Noro submitted a draft PNG National Innovation Blueprint to the PNG Government.

ROLE: Project Overseer