MR. JONE BIUDOLE TIKOICOLO │FIJI
BCOM| PG Dip Business Administration│ MBA │ PG Certificate in Diplomacy & International Affairs
University Years
Student life at university was a challenging experience for me. I had just joined the United Nations and had to juggle evening lectures, work commitments, and mission travels abroad. At one point, I even considered dropping out of studies altogether, thinking I could retire within the UN system. However, my mother’s words kept me going. She would often call and remind me, “If you don’t have an educational qualification, it will be difficult to find great jobs in life.”
Despite the challenges, I was passionate about being a student. I loved meeting new people, not just from Fiji but from across the Pacific region. I made friends with classmates from Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Nauru, and Vanuatu, among others. We always looked forward to the annual inter-tertiary games, hosted by either USP or FNU. Attending the evening social events was always a highlight for me because it gave me the chance to catch up with former high school friends over kava sessions, and of course, there was the traditional “wash down” at Telecom Hill 😊
In high school, I played hockey and continued with the university team, traveling to Suva and Lautoka for competitions. Those moments remain some of the highlights of my experience. My involvement in extracurricular activities also provided me with valuable lessons in teamwork and community engagement. Looking back, if I had the chance to do it all again, I would immerse myself even more in regional initiatives at USP, as they were essential in building my network and deepening my understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities faced by the Pacific Islands.
I chose to study Human Resource Management and Management Studies because I’ve always had a soft spot for looking after the well-being of employees and people in general. I consider myself a people person—or should I say, a social person? I enjoy chatting with others and seeing things from different perspectives, which I know might seem strange to many i-Taukei, or maybe I’m just the strange one 😊
Academically, I have achieved several milestones. I’ve graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) with double majors in Management, Public Administration, and Human Resource Management & Employment Relations; I also graduated with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and have a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration (PGDipBA); in addition, I graduated with a Postgraduate Certificate in Diplomacy & International Affairs and I am currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Diplomacy and International Affairs (MADIA).
Career/Life path
My professional journey spans over 18 years within the United Nations system. I am currently serving as the Pacific Quality Infrastructure (QI) Project Officer for the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the PQI Focal Point for the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), stationed at the PIFS headquarters in Muanikau, Suva. In this role, I support the 18 Forum Island Member Countries of the Blue Pacific Continent in enhancing trade by improving Quality Infrastructure.
Prior to this, I held programme support positions with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). These roles allowed me to develop expertise in project management, program coordination, research, logistics, finance, administration and strategic planning.
Reflecting on my career path, I have always emphasized the importance of continuous learning and the adaptability skills I honed during my time at USP. My advice to current students is to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, as resilience and a commitment to learning are essential for success in any career. For those students considering returning to university to continue or complete their studies, I encourage you to make the effort—it is an investment that will reward you in ways only you can fully appreciate.
One of my proudest moments was having my 80-year-old mother by my side at all my graduation ceremonies. I would not have persevered without her guidance, support, and, most importantly, her prayers.
The Future
As a proud alumnus of USP, I view my academic background as the cornerstone that has empowered me to contribute meaningfully to the progress of the Blue Pacific Continent or a region I call home. To my younger self, I would say, “Embrace the journey, stay curious, and never underestimate the power of collaboration.” I encourage current students to stay focused on their goals while remaining open to new experiences and learning from every opportunity.
My favorite quote, “Leadership is not about being in charge, but about taking care of those in your charge,” embodies my philosophy of servant leadership, a principle that has guided me throughout my career in international development. For me, the opportunity to make a positive impact on the Pacific region while staying connected to my roots through our prestigious USP, remains my proudest achievement.
Q & A’s with Jone
What was your first job after graduation? Did you learn anything from it that you could share as a ‘learning curve’ for current students?
I started working when I was studying on a part time basis, in the second largest University in Fiji. I was a private student accommodated in the university hostel. It was a great experience to live away from family, particularly parents and experiencing life and independence. After graduation, I decided to pursue my studies at USP where I enrolled into the BCom programme and completed the programme six years later due to work commitments. It was only after my graduation that I really focused, setting aside the parties, grog sessions and leisure activities to pursue a postgraduate study. I had resigned from the UN Secretariat where I worked for 15 years to complete my studies. It was the most difficult decision I ever made but looking back it was worth taking the risk. I completed and graduated with an MBA in 2023.
After graduation, I landed a job with a new UN Entity setting up a project office in the Pacific. I provided my qualification papers and was offered a better salary package, confirming that perseverance and hard work pays, and you will receive the good salary and perks after that.
Upon reflection my USP education is what has contributed to where I am today. USP provided me with the tools to develop my skills to manage an office, manage people and enhance capabilities through capacity building. The university taught me a great deal in finance, business management, interpret trends, analyze data and project management to name a few. Through my USP courses and the great lecturers we had, I am now able to master and manage a EUR 2mill project funded by the EU and OACPS specifically on Quality Infrastructure to enhance trade for Forum Island Countries. That’s a testimony to USP, hard work and perseverance.
What would you tell your younger self about job hunting, and what would you do differently? What lessons can you pass on from that.
Job hunting – I am always wary about this but to apply for a job that you are interested in, you need to read through the job advert and match this with your skills and qualification(s). Do not apply for just one job but submit your applications for various roles that you can picture yourself working in and having the confidence to do so. You will eventually get a response from one or more employers.
Make sure your CV is up to date and that emails and telephone numbers are active. Avoid phrases such as I and instead use we, as this indicates to the hiring person that you are a team player, etc. Common asked questions are “why do you think you are suitable for this job” and “why should we hire you”, another common question is “tell me something about yourself”. Do not be afraid or nervous, the hiring team also went through the same recruitment process and know exactly what it feels like. My only suggestion is to be calm and respond to their questions, thinking in way that they are your friends, and you are explaining something to them to understand. You got this! Best wishes!
