The Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation bid farewell to one of our longest serving dedicated  and hardworking employee Director Social Welfare, Mr. Rupeni Fatiaki who has worked in the civil service for over 34 years.

The Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Honorable Rosy Akbar said it was important for the ministry to recognize the excellent work that our hardworking staff is providing.

“Today is a milestone as we honour and recognize the contribution of Mr. Fatiaki to the Ministry, the civil service and the country as a whole. We wish him a restful retirement and thank him and his family for choosing the civil service as a career and for sharing his time with us over the past three decades. We wish Mr. Fatiaki and his family all the best for the future,” she said.

Hon. Akbar said working in the Ministry service requires dedication, humility and compassion and that is what Mr. Fatiaki demonstrated in his service to the Fijian Government.

Hon. Akbar expressed gratitude to the Ministry’s staff for laying this carpet of honour to Mr. Fatiaki and implored the retiree to become ambassador of the Ministry wherever he goes.

In his remarks, Mr. Fatiaki thanked the Ministry for the support rendered to him during his time of service.

He also encouraged the staff to be honest and respect the government of the day.

“There are some fundamentals to providing good leadership within an organisation including leaving your ego at the door.”

“The key to everything is respect, respect for yourself and for the people you work with and for.”

“I know that a leader is only ever as good as the people around them and I have had some amazing people around me which have meant this Department has gone from strength to strength in providing services to the people who seek our assistance.”

He thanked the executives and the rest of the officials in the Ministry for the retirement celebration.

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY FOR MR RUPENI FATIAKI

15/7/1989                              –         joined the service, Fiji Prisons Service;

29/01/2001                            –         transferred to Department of Social Welfare as Welfare Officer I, Community Development – North/West;

11/07/2005                            –          transfer on Acting as Senior Welfare Officer, Community Economic Development, Headquarters to complete Family Assistance Review Project which started on 17/02/2005;

17/02/2005                             –           confirmation of promotion as Senior Welfare Officer, Community Economic Development

9/01/2006                              –          Acting Assistant Director (Corporate Services);

12/08/2010 – 25/08/2010    –          appointment to act as Director Social Welfare

21/03/2011 (3years)             –         promoted as Assistant Director (Family Services)

22/11/2012 (3years)             –         promoted as Director Social Welfare

22/11/2015 – 31/12/2015    –           re-engagement of contract as the Director Social Welfare;

01/02/2016 – 29/02/2016    –          renewal of contract as the Director Social Welfare

01/03/2016 – 28/02/2019    –         extension of employment contract as the Director Social Welfare;

28/02/2019 – 27/2/2022      –          appointment as Director Social Welfare;

28/2/2022                              –           retire from the service

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