Key skills and expertise

Bringing over 39 years of experience in development management, the expert specializes in agriculture and livelihoods. Responsibilities have included leading initiatives for over 50 INGOs and UN organizations, with a focus on conflict regions like Afghanistan. Key qualifications encompass agricultural development, value chain analysis, capacity building, and community mobilization. Career highlights include forming the first Farmers' Professional Co-operative in China and spearheading rural development projects in multiple countries. Previously held roles such as Country Director and Head of Programs, the expert has achieved significant accomplishments in project implementation, strategic planning, and securing funding for development projects.

Project experience and donor exposure

With extensive experience working with international donors, the expert has collaborated with organizations such as USAID and Swisscontact, providing technical assistance and capacity building. In Afghanistan, projects involved implementation and evaluations focusing on agricultural development and livelihoods. The expert also engaged in regional and national projects in China, concentrating on co-operative management and business development. Contributions to organic agricultural development in Indonesia, supporting the Department of Agriculture through Swisscontact, highlight the expert's ability to work across various thematic areas, including agriculture, livelihoods, and community development, in countries like Afghanistan, China, and Indonesia.

Sectors and geographic focus

Worked across diverse projects involving multiple sectors such as agriculture, livelihoods development, community mobilization, and rural management. Responsibilities have included leadership roles like Country Director and Head of Programs, overseeing project implementation and strategic planning. The expert's cross-cutting expertise includes integrating digitalization into agricultural practices and infrastructure development in rural areas. Geographic scope of work spans regions including South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, with notable contributions in post-conflict settings like Afghanistan. The expert's interdisciplinary approach effectively combines technical skills with a deep understanding of local governance and cultural dynamics.

Extensive geographic experience includes work in India, Afghanistan, China, Nigeria, Iraq, Somalia, Indonesia, and Kenya. Familiarity with regional development issues in Afghanistan is particularly deep, having led livelihoods initiatives for over 50 INGOs and UN organizations. In China, the expert's work included forming the first Farmers' Professional Co-operative. Significant roles in agricultural development and rural management have been played in India. Assignments in these regions have provided profound understanding of local governance and cultural dynamics, particularly in post-conflict and insecure environments.

Languages and education

With a background in languages, the expert demonstrates full professional proficiency in English, with native-level command across all communication aspects, utilized extensively in international development contexts, including work with multilingual teams and in-country initiatives. Additionally, the expert possesses native-level fluency in Tamil, effectively employing these language skills in both professional and community settings. Although no formal language certifications are noted, the expert's language abilities have been pivotal in facilitating cross-cultural communication and project implementation in diverse international environments.

The expert's educational background includes a Master of Public Administration from the University of Madras, India, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Management from the Institute of Rural Management (IRMA), India. Additionally, they earned an M.Sc. in Agriculture from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, India, and a B.Sc. in Agriculture from Annamalai University, India. Completing a Diploma in Computer Application from Vasavi Computer Point, India, these qualifications underscore a strong academic foundation in agriculture, rural management, and public administration.