Forester

• Nov 2019 - Present

Agroforestry & Biodiversity Farm Manager

• Mar 2018 - Nov 2019

Developed two, viable biodiversity conservation agroforestry farms, and manage their operation, based on diversified activities (poultry, silviculture, beekeeping, dairy goats, hay-making, pasture management, vegetables, fruit orchard, composting, forest management) to ensure economic and food security, natural resource management, and conservation benefits on 100 acres in rural Maine (USA) and 23 acres in rural Kindia (Guinea, West Africa). Conducts and oversees daily farming activities, including animal husbandry, agroforestry, and marketing of farm products. • Works with State of Maine and US Department of Agriculture, Maine Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service on implementation of forest management plan, marketing of farm products, and conservation practices for 100-acre farm. • Collaborates with Guinean government counterparts, recent university graduates, and community leaders on demonstration and extension activities to boost local production and conservation strategies.

Agroforester

• Oct 2002 - Nov 2019

Deputy Chief Of Party/Acting Chief of Party

• Nov 2016 - Dec 2017

Supported Chief of Party in developing the strategic direction and providing technical advice across all program components in the planning, design, and implementation of activities for the $23,000,000, five-year agreement between ACDI/VOCA and USAID’s Forest Incomes for Environmental Sustainability Project, with the goal of ensuring that community management of forest resources be used to combat deforestation and loss of biodiversity while developing key rural forest-based enterprises. • Created and implemented sustainable economic opportunities for farmers and forest-dependent communities. • Worked closely with partners and their technical teams to ensure integration across organizations and objectives. • Oversaw technical program implementation to ensure program targets were met. • As Acting Chief of Party and Private Sector Advisor, assumed responsibility for coordinating award management and implementation tasks, liaised with USAID-Liberia on all technical matters, with weekly engagement with Agreement Officers Representative. • Supervised senior management and field team leads while coordinating the development, implementation, and timely reporting on the project.

Chief of Party

• Dec 2014 - Mar 2016

Planned, coordinated, and oversaw program activities related to $43,000,000 contract between WWF and USAID’s Central Africa Forest Ecosystems Conservation (CAFEC) of Central Africa Regional Program for the Environment (CARPE), to support goal of CAFEC to maintain ecological integrity of humid forest ecosystems of Congo Basin. Managed sustainability of forests and reduction of threats to biodiversity, mainly in four landscapes of Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Directed staff, oversaw grants, sub-grants, and consulting contracts as needed. Coordinated with staff from WWF, partner organizations, and government across region in accordance with USAID and WWF field operation regulations. • Worked closely with team and partners on program oversight, program implementation, financial management, HR management, material needs, provision of technical assistance, monitoring, and evaluation.• Built and maintained relationships with USAID CARPE Director and other relevant USG staff, and all stakeholders, in DRC and Congo Basin region.

Coastal Sustainable Landscapes Project Director

• Sep 2013 - Jan 2014

Led start-up phase of USAID-Ghana’s Coastal Sustainable Landscape Project (CSLP), 36-month initiative aimed at strengthening capacity for low-emissions development through improved coastal landscape management. Provided strategic direction for biodiversity conservation, climate change, environmental governance, and food security efforts with USAID-Ghana and multiple partners.• Finalized, implemented, and provided oversight of work plans, budgets, and monitoring and evaluation frameworks.• Provided technical and logistical support to partners in project implementation areas.

Program of Environmental Governance in Guinea Coordinator

• Nov 2011 - Sep 2013

Led USAID-Guinea’s program in environmental governance in Guinea for capacity-building and biodiversity conservation (PEGG), 18-month, $965,000 initiative aimed at producing net positive gain for biodiversity conservation, natural resources management, and population's quality of life by implementing and reinforcing laws, regulations, codes, policies, procedures, and better management practices. Coordinated inter-ministerial program aimed at promoting environmental governance through application and improvement of environmental laws.• Empowered citizen and government workers through rule and understanding of laws and international conventions (CITES, CBD, RAMSAR, UNFCCC, Tropical Timber). • Led 12-month training program on environmental governance-related themes, inter-ministerial and stakeholder communication and coordination platform, stakeholder coordination initiatives, and capitalizing on past program efforts for natural resources management.

Technical Advisor and STEWARD Chief of Party

• May 2008 - Apr 2011

Managed Institutional Support Program (ISP) for Guinean Government’s Water and Forest direction, as well as “Sustainable and Thriving Environments for West Africa Regional Development Program.” Oversaw implementation of activities with Guinean Water and Forestry direction and regional biodiversity conservation projects, protected area activities, community forestry, and other trans-boundary natural resource management projects focused in Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Cote d’Ivoire, and Ghana. • Directed all USFS technical assistance and capacity building activities in region related to STEWARD and ISP; provided regular reporting and program implementation information to USAID-Washington, USAID-Guinea, and USFS-IP. • Finalized work plans, budgets, and monitoring and evaluation frameworks. Hired and supervised consultants as needed to implement program activities within Guinea and West African region.• Organized technical assistance missions for USFS and USAID experts in support of program goals. Provided technical and logistical support to short-term USFS detailers on technical assistance mission to region; collaborated on natural resources management activities with host country governments, relevant international and local NGOs, and third-country efforts on related topics as needed.• Provided leadership in development, implementation, and monitoring of all ISP and STEWARD activities and partnerships, including working and communicating closely with USAID missions, NGOs, and Forest Service agencies in West Africa to facilitate increased regional collaboration, information sharing, and management actions related to West African natural resources management and biodiversity conservation.

Food Security Cooridnator

• Aug 2006 - May 2008

Led coordination of food security activities through development of donor and partner relations, integration, and improvement of collaboration between water and sanitation and nutrition departments, and exchange and flow of information, experiences, and results between different teams in bases, in Conakry and Madrid, and in neighboring countries. Trained and developed food security team and local partners, providing technical and moral support to mission. Encouraged evaluation of FS team by program managers and evaluated program managers. Assessed training needs of food security team and provided appropriate training; reinforced analysis and reporting capacities of team.• Improved management and communications capacities of program managers and setting of objectives and training. Encouraged learning atmosphere in FS team; evaluated local partners and improved capacity to support implementation of programs.• Implemented and managed food security program. Capitalized experiences and results with development of different tools and models; capitalization and knowledge of relevant external documents, including country agricultural politics, land issues, FAO, WFP (VAM), national food security strategy, and other stakeholders’ reports.• Put surveillance system into place. Promoted regional coordination; prepared proposals and donor reports with participation of program managers and FS teams. • Assessed and identified new activities and zones of action in coordination with head of mission and other departments.• Organized regular meetings and performed exploratory visits to help improve flow of information; organized regular briefings and debriefing of FS team to ensure smooth running of program and help with capitalization of experiences.