Jyoti Mala Prasad

I am a Pacific researcher and development practitioner with more than 20 years of professional and research experience across Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Samoa and Tonga. Her work spans climate resilience, gender equality and women’s empowerment, food security, livelihoods, agriculture, fisheries, local economic development and local governance.

I have extensive experience in qualitative and quantitative research, stakeholder mapping, community profiling, policy and institutional analysis, participatory and Talanoa-informed engagement, capacity strengthening, workshop facilitation and evidence-based reporting. Mywork focuses particularly on translating research and community evidence into practical recommendations, action plans and locally appropriate development solutions.

I worked with local governments and development partners on climate action planning, community resilience, inclusive climate finance and disaster risk reduction. She contributed to the development of the Nadi, Savusavu and Labasa Climate Action Plans through the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy and has undertaken assignments with organisations including APRACA, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction and UNCDF partnerships. Currently, I am the coordinator at International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) Pacific Islands Office.

I am a PhD Candidate in Ecosystem-based Adaptation at the University of the South Pacific, with my thesis completed and currently under assessment. She also holds a Master of Science in Climate Change, a Postgraduate Diploma in Geography and a Bachelor of Education.

Her professional approach is grounded in Pacific knowledge, culturally respectful engagement and strong relationships with communities, institutions and local governments across the region.