Sarah Mecartney was appointed as the Regional Director, Melanesia at the Pacific Community (SPC), effective 19 February 2024 and is stationed at SPC’s Regional Office in Port Vila, Vanuatu.
Sarah Mecartney brings a remarkable career spanning 25 years in programme management, strategic planning, and policy analysis. Hailing from Vanuatu, Sarah is a regional public servant in the multilateral and UN systems and has demonstrated a commitment with a profound connection to Melanesia.
Sarah's wealth of experience and commitment to the region makes her an invaluable asset to the organisation. She has actively engaged with government partners, the international donor community, and civil society. Sarah is ready for challenges, demonstrated during her tenure with the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, she played a critical role in overseeing reforms in the UN development system, influencing internal strategies, and improving operational effectiveness.
Sarah joined SPC in 2019 as the Principal Strategy Adviser with the Strategy, Performance and Learning team. She played a pivotal role in shaping SPC's trajectory. Notably, Sarah led participatory processes with staff and the CRGA Subcommittee for the Strategic Plan and the co-development of SPC's 10-year Strategic Plan which was endorsed by the 27 member countries and territories.
Sarah’s academic achievements include a Master of Science from the University of Sydney and a Bachelor of Arts with honours from King’s College in London.