Watesoni Nata Jr.

Experience

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  Shameem Law

  Jan 2010 - Jul 2011

  Legal Research Assistant

  Provided legal research assistance to the Principal Dr. Shaista Sameem. Coordinated and managed all administrative matters in the law office. Liaised with clients communicating regular updates on cases and other general queries. Drafted legal opinions for the Principal. This role was part time and a very practical application as I was undergoing the LLB program with the University of Fiji.

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  Consumer Council of Fiji

  Aug 2011 - Jan 2013

  Legal Officer - Alternative Dispute Resolution & Consumer Advisory

  The job responsibilities were the same as that described for with the above position - Manager Alternative Dispute Resolution & Consumer Advisory Division. This Legal Officer post was the trainee post for the Manager position with the Consumer Council of Fiji.

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  Consumer Council of Fiji

  May 2013 - Nov 2016

  * Responsible for the Council's research and policy formulation work - to initiate, lead and organise all research and policy work of the Council; * Develop and keep updated Council's research and policy work of the Council; * Prepare quality funding proposals for the research programme as and when required; * Develop and strengthen links with research institutions in and outside of Fiji;* Carrying out of research on consumer issues and consumer protection legislation's;* Carry out projects agreed with regional and international partners; * Conduct market surveillance, and trader and service visits; * Prepare press releases on minor complaints based research; * Research and prepare Issues papers or submissions on key consumer issues for relevant and other government agencies; * Carry out quarterly/ annual performance appraisal of the staff for the Division; * Prepare and submit Business Plan and Performance Appraisal Plan; * Develop and mount awareness raising on key consumer issues based on research results;* Supervise and monitor the activities of the Research and Policy Division; and * Any other work as directed by the Chief Executive Officer. Show less The Job responsibilities include:~Conducting an audit of the Labasa Office to gauge the service delivery based on Councils policies and programs. ~Preparing audit reports with recommendations. ~Liaising with traders and NGO’s to form a network for future reference group For the Council.~Coordinate and undertake all consumer education awareness activities, research and policy work, mediation work of the Council covering the Northern Division under the direction of the respective Managers based at the HQ. ~Providing timely quarterly reports to the CEO on the implementation of the annual work programme. ~Planning and contribute inputs to the annual work programme of the Council. ~Coordinating and manage the day-to-day operations of the regional office. ~Supervising and manage the regional office and its staff. ~Carrying out all other duties to ensure a quality output from the Regional Office. Show less Job resposibilities included:  Coordinate, supervise and manage all consumer advisory and mediation services offered by the regional offices – Suva, Lautoka & Labasa;  Coordinate mediation settlement with relevant parties;  Provide prompt advice and opinion to consumers;  Initiate, lead and organise all mediation programmes for the Council, including assisting other Divisions with their programmes as and when directed;  Attend to queries on legal issues and court processes;  Provide legal opinion on Consumer protection legislations pertaining to consumer issues and complaints;  Provide leadership in the establishment of a Mediation Centre or a Consumer Tribunal;  Draft agreements and contracts as and when directed;  Provide written opinions when a legal advice is sought by the Council; and  Carry out any other duty as assigned by the Chief Executive Officer. Show less

  • Manager Research & Policy Analysis

    Aug 2016 - Nov 2016

  • Regional Coordinator

    Apr 2016 - Jul 2016

  • Manager Alternative Dispute Resolution & Consumer Advisory

    May 2013 - Jun 2016
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  Fiji Mediation Centre

  Jan 2016 - now

  Mediator

  Part of the Panel of Mediators with the Fiji Mediation Centre. Mediates cases in Corporate, Employment and Consumer Law and other Civil Matters. Also responsible for conducting awareness sessions on Mediation in general and the Services of the Fiji Mediation Centre to corporate bodies, statutory authorities and the community at large. Also sits on the Board of the Fiji Mediation Centre.

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  Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations

  Dec 2016 - Jun 2018

  Mediator

  Mediated Employment Grievances and Disputes lodged with the Ministry of Employment. Compiled and submitted monthly reports on mediation performance. Involved in training requests from stakeholders on the Employment Relations Act. Also responded to awareness requests on Mediation Services with the Ministry of Employment. This role was Government Director Level and reported directly to the Chief Mediator.

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  Judicial Services Fiji

  Jul 2018 - Aug 2019

  Employment Tribunal Member

  Responsible for the adjudication of employment cases that were below the monetary value of $10,000.00 that was referred by Mediation Services at the Ministry of Employment. Also was allowed to mediate these cases that were brought before the Tribunal. Presided over cases in the Suva, Nadi, Labasa and Savusavu jurisdictions. This role reported directly to the Chief Justice of Fiji at the time and was primarily to assist the Chief Tribunal to lead and manage the Tribunal to achieve its objectives under the Employment Relations Act. Show less

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  THE MERCH

  Aug 2019 - now

  Managing Director

  I own and operate my own retail business called “The Merch”.  The Merch imports and retails second hand homeware goods from Australia and New Zealand. We have a team of 8 employees and based at our warehouse space in WaluBay. We retail power tools, kitchen appliances, furniture, electronics & hardware items. Currently manage the full operations of my business, everything from overseeing the Accounts, HR, logistics, stock management, Repairs and testing, marketing to establishing new markets and maintaining relationships with overseas suppliers. The Merch Facebook page currently has a following of 57k + and has been growing rapidly ever since its formation in 2018. Covid-19 has had its challenges and has impacted the business rather drastically but glad to say we’ve pivoted our business model & systems to take our business through post-covid. Show less

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  Mediation Pacific

  Jan 2022 - now

  Managing Director

  Recently formed my own mediation and consultancy business, currently a 1-man team. Pacific Mediation offers mediation services to parties that need conflict resolution assistance in the areas of employment, consumer and commercial and family law. We can take cases that have been lodged before the formal court system or cases that haven’t yet. Pacific Mediation also offers Training's in Mediation and Employment Law or other HR areas of interest. We also offer training's and consult in Entrepreneurship, business startups and compliance. Show less