I’m Australian and first arrived in Vanuatu in 2015 after Cyclone Pam to support the emergency response through World Vision Australia, expecting to stay only a few months. In 2017, I returned to take on a more permanent role with World Vision Vanuatu (WVV), and have worked alongside Vomboe for eight years.

I am now the deputy lead of VCCRP under Save the Children Vanuatu and the Department of Climate Change, my role mostly focuses on operations, supporting the the project across six provinces, and working with 282 communities.

Vomboe

I come from Malo, and my journey in development began in 2010 as a project officer in Sanma Province at WVV. Over more than 15 years, I gradually moved through different roles to where I am now, gaining experience in leading teams and managing complex programmes across the country.

The current project stands between Save the Children – a non-government organisation (NGO)– and the Vanuatu Government. We work with communities to strengthen and find ways to help them adapt to the impacts of climate change. And we couldn’t have got to where we are now without Janet.

Janet

I properly met Vomboe in 2016 during a regional meeting in Australia, where she was invited to share her story as a female leader from Vanuatu.

I imagined she was nervous to deliver a speech to a room full of people. But her presentation was deeply moving and powerful. She spoke openly about the challenges of being a woman in leadership, and you could see the challenges that come with rising to a position like hers.

Vomboe

My first connection with Janet was during Cyclone Pam when I was leading response efforts on Pentecost Island, and coordinating resources from Port Vila. Even though we were not working side by side at the time, I could already see she was skilled in coordination and organisation, ensuring that systems and logistics were functioning effectively.

We both left WVV in 2025, and she arrived at Save the Children a few weeks ahead of me.

At WVV, I was her manager. And now under the VCCRP, she is reporting to me as well! While there has been consistency rather than a change in management roles between us, this has not been a challenge. We were already familiar with each other’s strengths – her strengths complement mine, enabling us to work effectively together.

Janet

Over the years, we’ve partnered and worked together in WVV across multiple emergencies, including Cyclone Pam, Cyclone Harold, the Ambae volcanic response and the COVID-19 pandemic.

These experiences, often under pressure and uncertainty, built a strong working relationship where we learned to rely on each other and respond quickly to constantly changing situations.

Vomboe

Our relationship has always been professional, but it is built on a solid foundation of trust and shared experiences we have faced over many years.

We understand each other’s ways of working, and that allows us to support each other effectively, especially when facing high-pressure situations.

Janet

Now we found ourselves working together at Save the Children Vanuatu. Our current project is the most complex challenge either of us have taken on, both in scale and in the expectations placed on it.

Being the largest donor project we’re managing, we had high expectations for success and no room for errors. Joining halfway through meant stepping into a project already facing delays and pressure, and finding ways to stabilise and move forward without the opportunity to start fresh.

Vomboe

VCCRP covers 282 communities across six provinces and works directly with rural communities spread across islands, many of which are difficult to access. And with 52 staff, we have managed to achieve good progress together.

At the same time, it operates between government and NGO systems, which requires constant coordination and problem-solving to keep everything aligned. It’s definitely a challenge.

Janet

This was also a huge stepping stone for us to accept bigger roles than what we previously managed together. But the bigger role meant greater responsibility and pressure that we had to endure. When we arrived, it was clear that the team was under significant pressure, and morale had been affected by delays and expectations.

We focused on simplifying systems and helping the team see that progress was possible through small, consistent improvements. I think all the response work that Vomboe and I have done together has given us a good working dynamic so we can work strongly together.

Vomboe

We identified that many of the challenges were rooted in complicated systems and unclear processes that made work more difficult for the team.

By simplifying tools and strengthening processes, we began to see improvements–not only in delivery but also in the confidence and motivation of the team.

Janet

What I admire most about Vomboe is her ability to balance confidence with humility, which is not something you often see in leadership. In my experience, it’s quite unusual to have those two together. And when she speaks, it often comes from a place where she’s speaking for other people who don’t feel like they can speak for themselves. She really likes to roll up her sleeves and jump into things.

She speaks with authority when needed, but has a great sense of humour. Even when times are hard, you can still find something to laugh at. That’s one of herbest qualities, and I would trust her with anything.

Vomboe

Janet brings a different but equally important strength, particularly in her ability to organise, prioritise and turn ideas into practical solutions. When I delegate a task to Janet, I know she will get it done.

She has a way of taking complex challenges and breaking them down into smaller practical processes that the team can understand. She comes to work on time and leaves at the clock. This sets a good example for effective time management and accountability within the team. Her punctuality and discipline inspire me to be better at leaving the office on time.

Janet

I think our relationship has gotten stronger because of the challenges we’ve faced together. We don’t spend much time together outside of work, mainly because our days are already filled with constant communication and decision-making.

She’s one of my most trusted people I can share things with. She inspires me to be a woman who can multitask–at this moment she is juggling being a mother, project leader and a woman in the community.

Vomboe

Leadership is not about the absence of fear, but about continuing despite it, especially in environments where challenges are constant. At 42 years old,I am excited to be completing my Master’s in Transformational Development this year, a work and study journey which began three years ago.

The units I am currently undertaking are strengthening my understanding of development complexity and supporting the practical application of this learning, particularly in navigating complex stakeholder relationships and reflecting on the role of power and influence in shaping community development processes.

Janet

There have been moments, especially in emergency responses, where situations have felt beyond our control and are deeply frustrating. But we’ve learned to focus on what we can control and accept that not everything can be managed, which has helped us stay grounded.

The COVID-19 response stands out as one of the most defining periods in our work together. Even when we were not in the same place, we found ways to support our team together and try to maintain stability during a time that was unfamiliar and challenging for everyone.

Vomboe

I have seen times when Janet takes on a heavy workload and pushes herself to ensure everything is completed to a high standard. In those situations, I remind her that it is okay to let some things go, because not everything requires perfection.

One of the achievements I am most proud of is the amount of progress we made in this project within a brief period of joining, especially rebuilding team spirit.

Janet

What inspires me most is how she manages multiple responsibilities as a leader, a mother and a member of her community. Even on difficult days, seeing how she balances these roles encourages me to strive to be better, not just professionally but personally.

At the core of everything we do, this work is about people and the future of communities across Vanuatu. Having someone like Vomboe alongside me makes challenges easier to face and the work more meaningful.

Vomboe

Even though we don’t socialise often outside the office, I have a strong sense of trust in Janet as both a colleague and a person. Her reliability is something I value greatly in our partnership.

What we are building goes beyond a project timeline—it is about strengthening communities to face future challenges. And doing this work together, with trust and shared purpose, makes the journey both impactful and worthwhile.

SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST