JDA implements successful recruitment campaigns for mining and construction projects around the globe. In addition to the significant effort JDA commits to developing and maintaining quality relationships with the world's leading resources companies, JDA invests considerable time with its other major asset – its network of candidates. We have over 200,000 “networkers” registered on the JDA database, and strive to maintain enduring relationships with quality people. Our aim is to help our people realise their desired career path.

Justin (Ted) Rogers is a JDA networker who is developing a successful career in Project Management and Coordination. Ted’s work has taken him to the Solomon Islands, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand and PNG. JDA is privileged to have assisted Ted with his career development, and greatly values his commitment to JDA as a candidate. JDA is pleased to share part of Ted’s fascinating story in this month’s JDA Career Profile.

Ted’s Story

Born and raised in Bougainville, PNG, Ted demonstrated an early talent for teaching. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts from Waikato University in New Zealand, Ted took on successive English teaching roles in New Zealand, Japan and Bougainville Island.

During this time, Ted recognised the importance of cultural sensitivity and awareness. In order to communicate effectively with his students, Ted adapted his teaching methods and style according to his students’ respective backgrounds. Ted’s aptitude for languages (which includes fluency in Tok Pisin, and interest in Japanese and German) proved to be another valuable asset for Ted’s teaching career.

In early 2002 Ted graduated with a Masters of International Relations from the University of Victoria, Wellington, NZ. Ted’s thesis focussed on the roles of customary and western structures in society for reconciling conflict. The thesis presented two community case studies chosen in remote parts of Bougainville Island, and was well received by the university.

Bougainville Informal Education Project

From 2002 to 2004 Ted was appointed Team Leader of AusAID’s Bougainville Informal Education Project (BIEP). The BIEP established literacy classes and skills training initiatives in Bougainville’s remote communities. The BIEP team trained and supported around 700 Volunteer Literacy Teachers.

Through innovation and strategy the team strengthened the skills, retention and gender balance of volunteers. This in turn led to a verifiable marked improvement in new-readers access to small enterprise development, appropriate technology and other community development opportunities.

Bougainville Community Police Project

From 2004 to 2005 Ted was appointed Project Administrator for the New Zealand Police Team deployed on Bougainville Island. Ted was primarily responsible for the project’s monitoring and evaluation and also had an advisory role to the team. In addition, Ted coordinated training activities with other agencies in the Law and Justice sector. It is worth noting that community policing strengthened community access to law enforcement at a particularly sensitive time, and also made available conflict resolution and mediation skills in these remote areas.

Aceh Tsunami Response Programme

Following the devastation caused by the earthquake and tsunami in early January 2005, Ted was afforded leave to take on an Acting Team leader role for ADRA’s emergency relief personnel in Meulaboh on the west coast of Aceh Province in Indonesia.

The unsurpassed destruction in affected communities included that of the education infrastructure. In conjunction with UNICEF, ADRA played a coordinating role for ten smaller NGOs in re-establishing functioning schools. Activities included construction of tented schools, erection of temporary toilets, and rehabilitation of existing water and sanitation facilities. This work was carried out in the most ramshackle and sad of situations. Enabling children to return to school, and helping staff to deal with the trauma was no small measure.

PNG Law and Justice Sector Program

In May 2005 Ted was appointed a Village Court Advisor for Cardno Acil in PNG. Based in the Village Courts Secretariat, Ted facilitated AusAID’s contribution to PNG’s Village Court System.

Ted’s main responsibilities were to strengthen Law and Justice Sector planning processes, and to improve the information management of the Village Courts structure of 1,280 courts and 13,000 officials. He did this by providing technical expertise and training for Court Administration staff, and designed an electronic database to manage data on official’s details and community perceptions. Ted was also involved in numerous capacity building activities for both provincial and local government representatives.

Caritas Earthquake and Tsunami Rehabilitation Project

In mid 2007 Ted was appointed Team leader for the Caritas earthquake and tsunami rehabilitation project in both Western and Choiseul Provinces in the Solomon Islands. Ted’s primary areas of operation were in the Shortland Islands, Western Province (Mono, Alu and Fauro) and an area of Choiseul Province (Moli).

Building on previous experience gained from the Aceh relief project, Ted managed a team who provided support for several sizeable infrastructure projects. Ted’s team also focused on community psychosocial health. Ted assisted with the training of 60 volunteer ‘community helpers’ in trauma counselling and mediation skills in an effort to embed those services in tsunami affected communities.

Some of the significant challenges faced by Ted and his team were logistics and safety. This was because project sites were separated by distances of over 100 nautical miles, and could only be supplied by charter ship and outboard powered boats. Due to the remote nature of the work, Ted needed to enforce strong policies and procedures relating to team safety and security of project supplies. A strong espirit de corps evolved in the Caritas team as they had accepted providing rehabilitation work in the most remote tsunami affected communities.

Frieda River Project Community Affairs Manager

In late 2008 Ted contacted JDA to assist with securing his next appointment. JDA were quick to place Ted as Project Community Affairs Manager for Xstrata’s Frieda River Project near the border of Sandaun and East Sepik Province in North Western PNG.

In this role, Ted provides leadership and management to the community affairs team, and is a link between on-site activities, the community, PNG Government representatives and Xstrata. Ted is developing meaningful relationships with project stakeholders, including a particular focus on landowners affected by the project, Local Level, Provincial and National Government.

Finally, Ted’s story would not be complete without mention of his famous parents, Brian and Leslie Rogers – affectionately known as “Barney and Blue”. Barney was an ace mechanic, who with his team looked after BCL’s heavy equipment workshop in Loloho for many years. Post-BCL, Barney went on to work underground at the Coeur gold mine located near the town of Waihi, New Zealand. For the past decade, Barney has been training and accrediting heavy equipment operators in the Central Highlands of Queensland. Barney and Blue are extremely proud of Ted and his brother and sister.

JDA congratulates Ted on his fascinating career to date, and we are proud to have been involved with Ted over this period. As with all our valued networkers, we strive to be “first by choice”, and will always be available to assist Ted in the future.

If you are a candidate in the mining, construction or resource sector and would like JDA’s assistance with your career development, please contact us via the website at www.jda.com.au