Key skills and expertise

With 38 years of experience, the expert is skilled in sustainable agriculture, agroenterprise development, and emergency response. Managed multimillion-dollar projects and secured funding from major donors like USAID and DFID. Led initiatives in Africa and Latin America, implementing participatory monitoring and evaluation systems and launching innovative methodologies. Key accomplishments include initiating the Farmer Field School approach and conducting comprehensive seed system security assessments. Leadership roles have involved overseeing large teams and fostering collaborative environments for successful project execution.

Project experience and donor exposure

Worked across diverse projects involving collaboration with international donors such as USAID, USDA, DFID, and Rotary International. Involvement includes securing funding, project implementation, technical assistance, and evaluations in sectors like agriculture, natural resource management, and disaster response. The projects have been large-scale, often multimillion-dollar, spanning regions in Africa and Latin America, including countries such as Madagascar, Guatemala, and Haiti. Focused on sustainable agriculture, livelihoods, and post-emergency recovery, demonstrating a strong capacity for managing complex international development cooperation projects.

Sectors and geographic focus

Responsibilities have included technical advisory, program management, and consultancy across key sectors including education, training and capacity building, environment and climate, food systems and livelihoods, project management, disaster reduction and humanitarian relief, and agriculture and rural development. Possesses interdisciplinary expertise in sustainable agriculture and agroenterprise development, applied in regional and country-specific projects in Africa and Latin America, addressing complex challenges in rural development and emergency response. Extensive geographic experience in Africa and Latin America, with significant assignments in countries such as Madagascar, Haiti, Guatemala, Nigeria, and Mali. Deep engagement with local governance and regional development issues, particularly in natural resource management and post-emergency recovery.

Languages and education

Bringing a background in languages, the expert is a native English speaker, with proficiency in French, Spanish, and Arabic, essential for work in multilingual teams and international settings. Utilized these language skills extensively while living and working in countries such as Madagascar, Haiti, and Tunisia, facilitating communication and collaboration in diverse cultural contexts. Additionally, proficient in Haitian Creole, enhancing the ability to engage with local communities and stakeholders effectively. Holds a Master of Science in Agricultural Economics from Virginia Tech, USA, and a Bachelor of Arts in History from the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, USA. These degrees provide a strong foundation in agricultural economics and historical analysis, supporting extensive work in international development and project management.