GOVERNMENT OF TONGA
MINISTRY OF MEIDECC
VACANCY
• Member of the Energy Commission (Regulator for the Energy Sector)
The Ministry responsible for Energy invites suitably and qualified persons to express his/her interest for a commissioner position at the Tonga Energy Commission (Regulator for the Energy Sector).
The Member(s), under the guidance of an appointed Chairman, ensures that the Tonga Energy Commission (“Commission”) is managed effectively through the application of appropriate guidelines, frameworks, policies, and standards. The Commission is further responsible for providing oversight over Government’s Energy Sector Reform Practices. Members play a critical role in ensuring that Chief Executive Officer of the Commission successfully articulate these management tools designed to guarantee that the service operates in a transparent, consistent, and robust manner. In achieving its outcomes, the Commission oversees the practices of the electricity, petroleum, and gas sectors in Tonga. The Commission functions are to ensure the safety, affordability, reliability, sustainability, and security of supply of electricity, petroleum, gas, renewable energy, and any other energy sources in the Kingdom. The Energy Commission must address the following functions as per the Energy Act 2021.
The Hon. MEIDECC Minister responsible for managing the Tonga Energy Sector will require the following qualities and skills together with the following key principles to ensure a well-represented Commission:
- Diversity (with a cross-section of people with different experiences);
- Community representation (of communities or Energy sector); and
- Gender (encouraging women applicants).
1. Accountabilities:
Members must be highly competent and visionary navigators and strategists who bring a wealth of contemporary energy sector experience to develop the resilience and effectiveness of the Tonga energy sector.
The Commission Members will be reporting to the Hon. MEIDECC Minister in performing the Commission mandates in accordance with the Energy Act 2021.
2. Specifically, the purpose of the role is to:
The Member is responsible to the Hon. MEIDECC Minister (“Minister”) the for the following:
- ensuring the safety, affordability, reliability, sustainability, and security of supply of electricity, petroleum, gas, renewable energy and any other energy sources in the Kingdom;
- negotiate and enter a concession contract on behalf of the Government;
- monitor and enforce a concession contract made under the Act and take enforcement actions;
- monitor and enforce standards and regulations;
- issue, administer, suspend, or cancel individual contractor and services licenses;
- regulate price and quality of energy sector goods and services on request from the Minister;
- establish and collect fees, levies and charges;
- develop and recommend to the Ministry standards or regulations under the Act, including for public safety;
- conduct or initiate investigations into or in relation to any energy related disaster;
- conduct or initiate capacity building training for energy sector stakeholders; and do all things necessary for the performance of its functions and for the exercise of its powers under the Act.
3. Key Qualities of Commission Members:
- Understand the roles of the commission and principles of good corporate governance;
- Passionate about the Commission’s aims and works;
- Empowering, actively participated and supportive;
- Actively perform commissioner’s roles in the meeting room;
- Always well prepared for the commission meetings;
- Team commitment and team building;
- Well respected (within organization and sector);
- Leadership and vision;
- Honesty and integrity; and
- Accountability and transparency.
4. Minimum Requirements:
Education –
- Must have a bachelor’s degree in Energy, Electrical Engineering, Economics, Law, or Finance
Years of Experience –
- Must have 7 years of professional experience, with at least 3 years in senior decision-making roles.
Specific Skill and Knowledge required in the composition of the Commission -
Technical Knowledge:
- Electricity, Renewable Energy, petroleum, and gas sector operations.
- Energy policy, regulation, and compliance frameworks.
- Sustainability, renewable energy, and energy transition strategies.
Governance & Regulatory Competence:
- Tonga’s national energy policies, regulatory requirements, and energy sector governance as related to the electricity, petroleum, and renewable energy industries. Comprehensive knowledge of the Tonga Energy Act 2021 and related national laws.
- Clear understanding of implementation of national energy policies so that they align with global climate goals of cutting carbon emissions, promoting renewable energy, boosting efficiency, and encouraging clean technologies.
- demonstrate knowledge and skills in designing processes which ensure accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement in the delivery of the Commission’s mandate to enhancing the efficiency and development of the energy sector.
- Understanding of energy regulatory best practices and market oversight.
- Commitment to independence and avoiding political or corporate influence.
Leadership & Management:
- Strategic thinking and policy development.
- Effective communication and negotiation.
- Stakeholder engagement (government, industry, civil society).
- Risk assessment and crisis management.
Ethical & Personal Attributes:
- Integrity, transparency, and impartiality.
- Strong conflict of interest management.
- Commitment to serving the public interest.
- Demonstrated impartial decision-making under pressure.
Disclosure of interests:
- Applicants for membership of the Commission shall disclose any potential conflicts of interest, whether direct or indirect, including financial or personal interests. These disclosures will be considered during the selection process to assess their relevance.
- Applicants for membership of the Commission shall not accept any gift or advantage personally or for persons with whom he or she may have family, business, or financial connections,
5. How to Apply:
- All applicants must possess the highest standards of personal and professional ethics, be over 18 years of age and not be prohibited from being appointed a commissioner under section 36 of the Energy Act 2021 for a Member of the Tonga Energy Commission.
- Applicants who are interested in applying for the position advertised should submit a letter of interest address the criteria above, together with the following documents. Incomplete documentation may prevent further consideration in the selection process -
- Updated Curriculum Vitae together which included details contacts of the applicant and 3 referee’s details contacts, together with all relevant documents such as certified copies of certificates and transcripts.
- Applications must be submitted to the following address by 4:30pm on 17th of September 2025.
The Chief Executive Officer,
Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communication (MEIDECC)
Otto Sanft Building, Taufa’ahau Rd, Nuku’alofa.
- Signed emailed applications will be acceptable. Email applications should be forwarded to folaosi [at] gmail [dot] com by the closing date of 17th of September 2025.
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