Key skills and expertise

Bringing over 27 years of experience in public policy making, strategic planning, and program implementation, the expert focuses on sustainable development. Career highlights include leading international projects in agriculture, rural development, and poverty reduction, collaborating with organizations such as the FAO and EU. With over 20 years in project design and management and 15 years in R&D on farming systems, the expert has held leadership roles such as Senior Policy Advisor and Permanent Secretary. These roles have involved policy development, capacity building, and project execution, resulting in quantifiable improvements in food security and rural infrastructure.

Project experience and donor exposure

The expert has collaborated with international donors including the European Union, FAO, Inter-American Development Bank, and UNDP. Responsibilities have included project implementation, technical assistance, evaluations, and capacity building in areas like rural infrastructure, agricultural development, and poverty reduction. The expert's work has had both regional and national scopes, taking place in diverse locations such as Belize, Malawi, Guyana, Italy, the Philippines, and Mali.

Sectors and geographic focus

Worked across diverse sectors including rural development, food security, poverty reduction, agriculture, and monitoring and evaluation. Previously held roles such as Senior Policy Advisor and Permanent Secretary, overseeing strategic planning, policy development, and project implementation. The expert's cross-cutting expertise includes integrating infrastructure development in rural settings and employing participatory methods for sustainable progress. The geographic scope spans multiple countries, including Belize, Kenya, and Malawi, where impactful initiatives in agriculture and rural development have been driven. Extensive geographic experience also includes work in Costa Rica, Guyana, India, the Philippines, the USA, and Zimbabwe. The expert has deep familiarity with local governance and cultural dynamics, particularly through long-term assignments in Belize, Kenya, and Mexico, contributing to substantial projects and policy initiatives.

Languages and education

With a background in multilingual environments, the expert is fluent in English and Spanish, using these languages extensively in professional settings, including in-country work in Belize, Costa Rica, and Mexico, and in multilingual teams across various international projects. Additional language competencies include basic proficiency in French and Portuguese. The expert holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Agricultural Economics and a Master of Science (MSc) in Regional & Community Development from the University of Missouri, USA. Additionally, a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Economics and Sociology was obtained from John Carroll University, USA.