CAPABILITIES & ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Marketing and International Trade

Experienced in conducting market evaluation studies, development of strategic production and export marketing plans, product preparation and presentation. Training of producers in aspects of business management and export marketing. Have a good understan ding of the International marketing protocols such as WTO-GATT, NAFTA and CBI. Accomplishments in this area are as follows:

• Served as representative of the Government of Montserrat to the Agricultural Marketing Protocol (AMP) of th e Caribbean Community Secretariat (CARICOM)

• Served as member of the Steering Committee of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Joint Regional Marketing Program (JRMP)

• Conducted study of ethnic markets of United Kingdom and Dutch Antilles, for export of non-traditional agro-products from the Eastern Caribbean countries.

• Organized and coordinated exports from OECS countries to ethnic markets in U.K.

• Conducted training programs for the benefit of rural producers in aspects of production for exports and business management

• Conducted a feasibility study for the member countries of OECS for establishment of harmonized grading standards for fresh agricultural produce.

• Conducted a feasibility study for the establishment of an Agricultural Marketing Board for Montserrat.

• Served on a three member committee established for the re-structuring of Development Finance and Marketing Corporation (DFMC) in Montserrat.

• Had been instrumental in establishing a market information system for the OECS countries using a regional radio station as the medium.

• Organizational Development: Experienced in Institutional strengthening, by designing and implementing user-friendly, cost effective management systems. Developed the following organizations:

• For effective coordination of all the public sector investment projects being implemented by the Government of British Virgin Islands, designed and established a Central Projects Management division within the Development Planning Unit

• To reduce dependence on imported foods and to promote production for local consumption and exports, designed and managed the Production Coordination Unit in Montserrat - W.I.

• Effectively re-organized the Department of Agriculture in the BVI to cater to the needs of farming enterprises evolving into commercial production systems from a more traditional subsistence farming system.

Planning:

Experienced in conceptualization, design and implementation of projects and development programs. Some of the major accomplishments are as follows:

• Served on the Project Management Team for the formulation of the British Virgin Islands National Integrated Development Strategy.

• Co-authored the Five Year Agriculture Development Plan for the British Colony of Montserrat in the Caribbean.

• Conceptualized, prepared and implemented the Integrated Agriculture Resource Management Plan for the Government of British Virgin Islands.

COORDINATION:

Have a natural flair for coordinating, complex and multi-dimensional programs being implemented by groups of multi-disciplinary professionals. Have successfully managed the following activities:

• As Chairman of the pesticides control Boards grouping of the member countries of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, coordinated the project for Regional Harmonization of pesticides legislation for the entire Eastern Caribbean countries.

• As Chairman of the Food Security Sub-committee of the National Disaster Preparedness council of the BVI, coordinated food distribution in the after math of hurricanes, Hugo, Louis and Marilyn. Held similar responsibility while working in Montserrat.

• Coordinated the annual farmers week celebrations for seven consecutive years in the BVI.

• Served as Coordinator of the Planning Committee which was responsible to organize the Caribbean Community , Ministers of Agriculture meeting in the British Virgin Islands. The meeting catered for two hundred delegates from twenty five countries in the C aribbean and Latin America. In addition to the delegates, arrangements were also made for the visiting regional and international media persons.

Personnel Management:

• Well versed in all aspects of personnel administration such as inculcating team spirit, preparation of job descriptions, performance evaluation, hiring of staff and taking disciplinary actions. Had an opportunity to perform the following functions:

• As the Head of the Department of Agriculture in the BVI, was responsible for coordination and management of eighty five staff members, comprising of professional, technical and administrative persons.

• In Montserrat, being the Chief Extension Officer and the Production Coordinator lead a team of twenty five professionals.

Financial Management:

• Capable of preparing budgets, allocation of expenditures, monitoring expenditures , internal auditing and preparing detailed financial reports.

• Being the Head of the Department of Agriculture managed an annual recurrent budget of $ 1.5 million and $ 0.50 million in capital expenditures.

• Assumed financial responsibility for activities such as launching of annual farmers week, hurricane rehabilitation etc.

Interpersonal/Communication Skills:

Experienced verbal and written communicator. Skillful in making public presentations, and chairing meetings comprising of individuals with diverse views.

• Conducted several town meetings for public consultation in implementation of government policies and programs.

• Regularly lectured at the University of West Indies, Annual Extension Inservice Training courses on aspects of Marketing, Market oriented productioon planning, Projects Preparation, and Farm Management.

• Several times had been invited to be the guest speaker at the Rotary and Lions Clubs luncheon meetings.

• Had been the motivational speaker at the annual High Schools careers orientation day.

• Had been the resource person for Program Planning, Performance Evaluation and Conflict Resolution, at the Civil Service In-service training workshops and seminars.

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