Mary Stuart Smart, Intern
Mary Stuart Smart represents IIRR as an intern in the US. She is a current student at Sewanee, The University of the South majoring in International Global Studies. She has just recently returned from studying abroad in South Africa, where she studied the social and political transformation of South Africa and conducted a research project on HIV/AIDS prevention amongst youth. Before joining IIRR, Mary Stuart had experience volunteering in South Africa teaching English and HIV/AIDS education as well as interning for a catering company in Charleston, SC. Mary Stuart is from Charlotte, NC.
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Office: +1-212-880-9140
Aum Borany, Program Coordinator
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Or Thy, Program Manager
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Yitakitu Tibebu, Project Officer
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Getu Hailu, Harvest Project Manager
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Solomon Assresie, Capacity Building Officer
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Mulumebet Asefa, Office Assistant
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Elizabeth Andargie, Training Officer
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Yodit Aklile, Project Officer
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Selamawit Abebe, Accountant
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Ajiba Samuel, Intern
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Kadir Boru, Advocacy Officer
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Robert Kaliisa, Business Development Officer
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Wossen Assefa Gemta, SRHR Project officer
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Tarisai Mubonderi, Coordinator for IIRR Southern Africa
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Paul Fox Yassamoi, Business Development Officer
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Lia Makuach Tuach, SRH Officer
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Antony Kilonzo, Driver
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Nega Mekonnen Reda, Partnership and Resource Mobilization Specialist
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Peter Okot, Community Development/DANIDA Project Officer
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Ellen Twizere, Sexual and Reproductive Health Officer
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Brianna Plaza, Development and Communications Specialist
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Office: +1-212-880-9140
Brianna has 4 years of professional and educational experience in nonprofit fundraising and research. Previous to joining IIRR, she worked with Insight Cuba, an organization dedicated to providing legal, people-to-people cultural exchanges in Cuba. Prior to that, she interned with Share Our World promoting culture sharing for low-income students in the Northeast and abroad; and with RedLight Children to end human trafficking. She has also interned with The International Rescue Committee in their Silver Spring, MD and Tucson, AZ offices. She has a Master’s degree in Diplomacy and International Relations with concentrations in Human Rights and Conflict Management from Seton Hall University and a Certificate of Global Philanthropy from NYU. She also has a Bachelor’s of Science in Diplomacy and International Relations, and a Bachelor’s of Arts in Modern Languages, with concentrations in Spanish and French. She hails from Tucson, Arizona.
Judith Opiyo,Administrative Assistant
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Kadir Boru – Advocacy officer
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Rose Kipyego – Regional Knowledge , Documentation and Communication Officer
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Lawrence Njoroge – Field Coordinator
Part of his duties include giving professional development support and mentoring to teachers in the PEP schools as well as strengthening school leadership systems and community participation in
education. Lawrence holds a Masters Degree in Education, specializing in Teacher Education and has vast experience developing teachers’ capacity for effective reading instruction. He previously worked as a teacher of English at a leading girls’ school in Kenya and later as a Professional
Development Tutor at Aga Khan University in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania where he designed and implemented a diverse range of courses for teachers in marginalized rural communities. He has also
participated in evaluating several literacy development projects in East Africa region, including the East Africa Quality Early Learning (EAQEL) project implemented by Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) in
Coastal Kenya and Northern Uganda. He was also part of a research team commissioned by Room To Read to carry out a baseline study on literacy perspectives in Morogoro, Tanzania which informed
the implementation of a successful literacy campaign in the region.
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Ezekiel Sirya, Regional Coordinator - Sexual Reproductive Health Project
Ezekiel is IIRR’s Regional Coordinator - Sexual Reproductive Health Project at the Africa Region Level. Ezekiel is a Public Health Specialist who comes to IIRR with over 15 years experience in Health Program Management particularly in Sexual and Reproductive Health. He has previously worked with the Ministry of Health in Kenya, UNICEF- Kenya Country Office, Kenya Red Cross Society, and Medecins Sans Frontieres. He has the passion for humanitarian relief work with a particular focus on skills training/capacity development and community mobilization for action.
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Francisco Tolentino, Ford Foundation Global Learning Project Coordinator
Francisco Tolentino is a seasoned social development professional with over 25 years of experience. He has practiced his profession locally for almost fifteen years and internationally for twelve years, and has worked in several countries in Asia and Africa. He has worked with EnterpriseWorks Worldwide and successfully developed and implemented the USAID-funded Enterprise Development Support Services Program for Selected Forest Management Areas in the Philippines. He has worked with the Netherlands Development Organization (SNV) in Nepal, Mercy Corps as an advisor, and most recently with the Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) as the Deputy Chief of Party. His motivation in working in development to comes from his own upbringing growing up in a farming family and community in the Philippines.
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Jeline Marie Corpuz, Field Assistant, Food Security and Sustainable Wealth Creation
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Ludenio Diana, Project Coordinator, Keeping Kids Healthy
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Ronnie De Castro, Bio-Intensive Gardening Facilitator
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Maria Christy Jesusa G Tacugne, IDRC Project Coordinator
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Mark Ulysses L Bayot, Front Desk Assistant
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Tarisai Mubonderi, Regional Coordinator for IIRR-Southern Africa
Tarisai Mubonderi is IIRR’s Regional Coordinator for IIRR-Southern Africa and will be based in Harare, Zimbabwe. Tarisai is an agriculture and development expert who holds a BA Development Studies from the University of South Africa, a BSc Agriculture (Honors) Soil Science and a Master of Philosophy in Agriculture from the University of Zimbabwe. Tarisai comes with an over ten years experience in Program Coordination, Development and Management with Catholic Relief Services in Zimbabwe and Malawi. Tarisai also worked for 3 years in the Zimbabwe Ministry of Agriculture’s Department of Research and Specialist Services as Head of Soil Testing and Crop Nutrition.
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Wilson John D. Barbon, Program Specialist, Disaster Risk Reduction & Climate Change Adaptation
Wilson joins the Regional Center for Asia as a Program Specialist of Disaster Risk Reduction & Climate Change Adaptation.
Prior to IIRR, Wilson was the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Specialist/Head of Programs Development and Management of the Agri-Aqua Development Coalition-Mindanao, Inc. He also served as the Senior Social Development Officer of Project Seahorse Foundation for Marine Conservation, Inc. For the last 14 years Wilson has specialized his skills in community organizing and research in environmental management, participatory resource assessment both upland and coastal ecosystems, climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction, participatory project development and management, monitoring, evaluation and learning, coalition-building, advocacy and networking, facilitation and consensus building, training programming, seminar administration and evaluation and systematization of experiences as a tool for organizational learning.
Wilson obtained his Bachelor’s of Science major in Biology from Ateneo de Davao University. He has Master’s of Environment and Natural Resources Management from University of the Philippines-Open University, Davao City.
Wilson John D. Barbon, Program Specialist, Disaster Risk Reduction & Climate Change Adaptation
Rene R. Vidallo, Program Specialist, Agriculture and Natural Resource Management
Prior to IIRR, Rene provided the research needs of the Philippine Miserior Partners, Inc. (PMPI) particularly on understanding small-scale mining operations in the country as a Researcher (Consultant basis). Rene also served as Senior Technical Officer I to the National Anti-Poverty Commission, mainly responsible in providing technical support to the Basic Sectors in carrying out, among others coordination, facilitation, and documentation work. Rene worked for Tambuyog Development Center as the Assistant Information, Communication, Education (IEC) Advocacy Officer (2006-2007) and Research and Publication Specialist (2010-2011) for the project Radyo Tambuyog, an IEC program geared towards educating coastal communities with the use of radio as a medium. From 2002 to 2005, Rene worked with Center for Environmental Concerns as Coordinator, Environmental Research and Development Unit; he oversees the over-all conduct of community-initiated researches, implementation of programs and plans of the unit.
Rene obtained his Bachelor of Science in Forestry, major in Social Forestry from the University of the Philippines Los Baños. He is a licensed Forester.
Eric McGaw, Director of Communications
Eric McGaw, IIRR’s Director of Communications, is an American citizen with over 40 years of experience in the developing world. He is a communications professional who has worked extensively in Latin America, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. His longest assignments have been with the Peace Corps in El Salvador, a binational secondary school in Colombia, a commercial diving company in Southeast Asia, and international agricultural research centers in India, Dubai, Kenya and Ghana. While in India, he founded a proprietary company specializing in cross-cultural training and technical writing. He has authored and edited dozens of manuscripts, articles and books on a wide range of subjects.
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Julius Nyangaga, Regional Monitoring and Evaluation Manager
Julius Nyangaga is the Regional Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager. He has extensive experience in advising research and development programs to deliver outcomes and impact, and in particular has been facilitating Outcome Mapping processes for a number of years. He has led the delivery of multiple M&E services and products, especially the integration of qualitative and quantitative approaches.
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Victor Kelachukwu Igbokwe, Program Assistant Disaster Risk Reduction
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Victor Kelachukwu Igbokwe is a graduate of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering (Nigeria) and Master of Arts in Human Rights and Conflict Management (Italy). Disaster Risk Reduction Courses (World Bank Institute)
He is a determined, polished and self motivated person with a bright and good team spirit which makes him able to adapt and work harmoniously in multi- cultural/multi- ethnic setting to achieve set objectives.
Between 2008 and 2011, Victor worked as a Project officer (Peace Building and Conflict Management) with YARAC Centre in Nigeria in partnership with Action Aid Nigeria where he implemented an integrated development and community driven program using the Rights Based Approach focusing on Women and children’s rights whilst gaining practical experience in crisis prone areas.
Victor has over time built skills in training in Conflict transformation, Leadership and Governance, Environment, Research and Advocacy, Participatory Monitory and Evaluation, Participatory Methodologies and strategic planning techniques.
Aweke Agegnehu, Accountant
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Andrew Kasule, Driver
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Ocaya Bosco, Security Guard
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Robert Wotsomu, Security Guard
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Evelyn A. Amone, Finance and Administration Officer
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Jackson Muhindo, Program Officer, Disaster Risk Reduction & Climate Change Adaptation
Muhindo Jackson Rukara has close to 7 years of professional and education experience, Jackson worked at first as a volunteer with Kasese District Development Net Work
of Civil Society Organizations where he was elevated to the position of program Coordinator after six Months a position he held from 2002 up to 2004, Jackson later joined the Uganda Red Cross
Society as project officer Community Based Disaster Management in 2004 a position he held up to
June 2005 when he joined save the children in Uganda as programme officer Child protection wher he served up the end of 2007. From 2008 to 2010 Jackson served as Programme Manager for a
local NGO Rwenzori African Development Foundation operating in the Rwenzori Region.
July 2011 Jackson joined the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction as Programme Officer Community Managed Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Adaptation a position am
still serving to date. Jackson Holds a bachelor of Adult and Community Education of Makerere University Kampala attained in 2002, certificate in fundraising and recourse mobilization of
Uganda Management Institute Kampala, a post graduate certificate in Development Context and practice of the Open University, A post graduate certificate in War intervention and
development of the Open University, a post graduate certificate in Institutional development of the Open University, Currently doing his Research leading to the ward of a Masters of Science in
Development Management of the Open University UK due for completion in October 2012. Jackson Muhindo hails from Kasese in the Rwenzori Region western Uganda.
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Isaac Bwire, Education & Food Security Program Officer
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Isaac’s passion is to provide services that contribute to the promotion of rights of the marginalized particularly youth, children and women through facilitation of strategic planning processes, promotion of education, capacity building and training for local institutions working in the areas of human rights and HIV/AIDS prevention and mitigation to enhance national and community development.
He has management experience in educational institutions and community development programmes and has extensive training in organizational development, strategic planning, resource mobilization, leadership and governance, and advocacy
Isaac joins IIRR with over 14 years experience in implementing programmes on gender based violence prevention, food security, economic empowerment and pastoralist education. Before joining us, Isaac was a Programme Manager with Mara Foundation and before that Programme Manager with Empower Children and Communities against Abuse (ECCA) from 2006 to 2010 and a Director for the Education Program with Children’s Welfare Mission, Uganda from 2001 to 2005 implementing both formal and informal skills training for youth, along with developing and managing programmes. He has also taught for several years.
Isaac holds a Masters Degree in Education Management and Planning, a post graduate diploma in Human Resource Management and a Bachelors of Education degree.
Fasika Ferede, ESEY Project Manager
Working for IIRR Ethiopia at the capacity of Economic and Social Empowerment of Youth (ESEY) Project Manager since April 2011. He has more than 10 years of work experience in development, teaching and research. His previous work experience includes Research Officer, Program Officer at Marie Stopes International Ethiopia, Livelihood Project Coordinator for Children Aid Ethiopia, and
Social Sector Head for Cooperazione Internazionale. Fasika engaged in conducting researches on reproductive health, customary conflict resolution and other social development themes. Fasika has
experience in managing different programs such as livelihood, food security, reproductive health, and population issues at different organizations. He has also taught different courses at different
colleges. Fasika holds MSc. Degree in Medical Anthropology, M.A Degree in Social Anthropology and B.A Degree in History.
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Zerihun Lemma, Country Manager
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Zerihun Lemma Damenu is currently working with the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR), as the Capacity Development Outreach Coordinator (CDO) in Ethiopia. Zerihun graduated with and MA degree in “ Curriculum and Instruction” and has an over 25 years experience in managing education and various other social sector projects. He has conducted extensive work involving planning, research, analysis, implementation and assessment of various integrated project works. He has worked both at the grassroots and donor level. At the local level, he has assessed and liaised with diverse Government offices, NGOs and NGO constituencies for the purposes of collaboration.
At IIRR Zerihun heads the Capacity Development Activities in Ethiopia while also specializing in facilitation of Community Managed Disaster Risk Reduction and Project Management including Monitoring and Evaluation. He is the lead person in Ethiopia in supporting and Coordinating Disaster Risk Reduction initiatives in the Pastoral areas of Ethiopia.
Designing and conducting international and local level trainings has given him extensive experience in capacity building to local and international institutions in Ethiopia and elsewhere in Africa such as in Somali land, Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya. Zerihun has also been involved in the production of educational and training materials as well as publication of various documentations through a writeshop approach which is one of the specialties of IIRR. He was among the lead persons in the production of adult education learning materials, for all levels, during his service for the Ministry of National Defense in Ethiopia. Within the NGOs sector, mainly using the USAID fund for Ethiopia, he has contributed in the preparation of series of training materials on relevant topics; among others, community mobilization for development and social change, project proposal preparation, school-community-partnership, girls’ role in school governance and gender related topics. Within IIRR he has coordinated and led on various major writeshop events and greatly contributed for the publication of “Pastoralist Land Tenure and Use Policy in Ethiopia” and “Culture at the Crossroad “books in Ethiopia. Zerihun has strong experience in guiding development institutions in the formulation, management and troubleshooting of implementation grants. He has a keen ability to plan, manage and keep-up capacity building projects on target.
Mengistu Edo, Regional Education Advisor
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Reuben Chavodo Khalwale, Driver-Pastoralist Education Program
Was educated in Uganda, before joining IIRR, he worked for Finland Nairobi as a driver attached to the Attaché of embassy. H e has worked at IIRR – arc as a personal driver to a Regional Director for Five years and currently working as a field driver.
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Joseph Irungu, Project Officer
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Jacquiline Wattimah, Kenya PEP Manager
Ms. Jacquiline Wattimah is currently managing the Pastoralist Education Project for IIRR –Kenya, providing both management and technical implementation of activities addressing the contextual challenges pastoralist children especially girls face in accessing quality basic education. She has over ten years experience in managing education in various development setting ranging from marginalized communities (urban and pastoral communities) to emergency and stable environments. She has an undergraduate degree in education, Masters in social studies and community development (continuing) and Postgraduate Diploma in Management of Development Projects.
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Eric Njoroge Mwaura, Regional Value Chain Manager
Eric Mwaura has a BSc and Msc (Agric) from Nairobi University. He has over 15 years hands-on post qualification experience in implementation and management of community development projects focused, mainly on food and livelihoods security in Eastern Africa region. Also have practical experience and knowledge in pro poor value chain development including development of partnerships, nurturing entrepreneurship amongst small-holder farmers, market linkages, credit linkages and farmer capacity strengthening in various aspects such as value addition and group management for sustainability.Mwaura’s work experience include working as the Regional Manager (Assets building & Wealth Creation) for the International Institute for Rural Reconstruction, as the Value Chain Manager for the SEEP network/Ampath for Africa Now. He has also worked in related capacity with the Kenya Flower Council (KFC); Kenya Institute of Organic Farming (KIOF) and the Green Belt Movement.
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Miriam Ningome Bwika, Programs / Projects Manager – Gender and Disaster Risk Reduction
Miriam Ningome recently joined the Applied Learning section fully having been in HR for the last four years. She joins the CMDRR team. Miriam has a Master of Commerce Degree in International Business Management and Bachelors Degree in Gender and Development. Miriam has facilitated and co -facilitated various CMDRR training and one food security training for IIRR partners. She has also participated in gender evaluations and baseline surveys, and organized various study tours for partners.
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Rahab Ngumba-Njoroge, Regional Virtual Livelihood School Africa Project Manager
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Kenya Country Director. Rahab holds a Masters Degree in Organizational Development, a BSc Degree in Business Management, a diploma in Sales and Marketing, and an Advanced Certificate in Adult Learning Methodologies.
Rahab has over twenty years of senior management experience spanning the public, private and non-governmental sectors at both the national and international level. She is an experienced facilitator in organizational development, local governance, rural development, participatory rural appraisal, Training of Trainers, community-managed disaster risk reduction, project management, resource mobilization, strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation, and gender, among others. In addition, she has worked with many local communities to undertake grassroots-level planning, implementation and evaluation. Over the years, Rahab has worked extensively with international NGOs and governments to provide institutional and technical support
Geoffrey Leparteleg, CMDRR Manager
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Caroline Chirimi – Business Development officer
Caroline has over five years professional and educational experience in brand strategy creation, implementation & execution, acquisition of new business, marketing, pricing strategy development &
implementation, project management and customer systems support and relationship management. She has been involved in extensive projects across Eastern Africa in assignments of this nature. She has a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Management Information Systems from Daystar University in Kenya where she graduated with First Class Honors. She also has a certificate in Public Speaking and Counselling from Daystar University.
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Janet A. Nyaoro, Regional Applied Learning Manager
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Gabriel Alwanyi Bakhwenya, Accounts Assistant
Gabriel has a Kenya accounting Technician Certificate, a Diploma in Business Management from Moi University and is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management – Finance and Banking from Moi University that will be completed in April 2013.
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James Agisa Abuga, Accountant
James has comprehensive experience in areas of accounting auditing and finance. James’s educational background and professional achievements include: Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Bachelor in Business Management (Finance and Banking Option) and a Diploma in Project Management.
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Stallon John Kamau, Regional Finance Manager
He holds a Regional position covering financial and management accounting functions of Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda and Sudan programs and reports to the Regional Director.
His education background of MBA - Strategic Management-U.S.I.U (2009-2012), Bachelor of Economics & Business Management- Moi University ( 1999) , Fully qualified Accountant and member
of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA).
He has over 12 years of progressive experience in an International development organization- International Institute of Rural Reconstruction in senior and middle level management roles.
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Jacqueline Furechi – Regional Human Resource Officer
She joined IIRR in July 2012 in the position of Regional Human Resources and Administration Officer at the Africa Regional Level. She handles Human Resources & Administration including providing assistance to the Africa Regional Director. She has over eight years experience of effectively supporting executive level staff both in the NGO and private sectors. She has a Degree in Business Administration and post Diploma in Human Resource Management.
in Business Administration and post Diploma in Human Resource Management.
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Patrick Nalere, Regional Director, Africa
Patrick currently oversees all program work of the International Institute of Rural reconstruction (IIRR) in Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia and South Sudan. Before joining IIRR, Patrick worked as Heifer
International Country Director -provide overall leadership and management of Heifer International in Uganda. As a Socio/ Development Economist, has worked in the NGO sector for now eighteen
years mainly at program management and managerial level positions. Prior to joining Heifer had worked as Deputy Country Representative with Danish Council of Organizations; as Regional Project
Manager with Care International; Executive Director with NUDIPU; as an Economist shortly with Government Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning. For some time, he held lecturing portfolio at
Universities.
Holds a BSC in Economics; MA in Economics both of Makerere University, MBA of International Health Science University and waits to defend his PhD dissertation in Rural Economy of Leeds
Metropolitan University, UK. He holds several certificates such as in Leadership; Resource Mobilization & proposal writing, NGO Management; Research; Human Resource management;
Strategic Planning and Management; PM&E and Sustainable Livelihood Development.
He has overseen implementation of several projects funded by USAUD, Bill & Melinda Foundation ($10.6m), DGIS ($8m), CIDA, DFID, SIDA, Danida among others. He has on several occasions been
invited to facilitate, make presentations and inputs in various aspects of development at national,regional and international levels. His international working exposure is from Southern Sudan, USA,
Canada, UK, Ireland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Czech Rep, Ukraine, Israel, Nepal, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Malawi, Cameroon, Ghana, Burundi, Senegal and Zambia among others.
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Maushe Kidundo – Kenya Country Director
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Ebisa Gashu, ESEY Project Officer
Ebisa hold BA degree in the field of Community Development and Leadership minor in management. He also participated on various TOT trainings and workshops at local and international level and he work on community development projects for the last twelve years with various donors and implementing agencies working in Ethiopia. Ebisa has worked for an NGO in various positions ranging from Development Facilitator to Livelihood adviser during those times he coordinated various projects which comprised integrated thematic areas such as Livelihoods, Good Governance, Education, Women Empowerment, CMDRR, HTP and HIV/AIDS, Integrated Rural Development Project and Food security (food facility project) with multi donor Agencies. Ebisa joined IIRR in April 2011 as the ESEY project officer and additional as PFS project coordinator. Ebisa facilitate the two projects simultaneously in facilitation of training, conduct monitoring visit, technical support for partners and beneficiary communities and documents the project report and case stories.
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Mary Ann B. Llanza, Program Specialist, Development Communications
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Mary Ann has more than ten years of experience and involvement with regional and national non-governmental organizations mainly in information, education and communication. Prior to joining IIRR, Mary Ann was the Advocacy and Communications Officer for the Asia Pacific Alliance for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (APA) based in Bangkok. Her main role was to implement the advocacy and communications strategy of the organization. She has also served as Information Communications Officer of the Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD) based in Chiang Mai, Thailand and the Communications and Training Officer for the Philippines-Australia Land Administration and Management Program, a project of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the Philippines.
Mary Ann obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications, with a major in Journalism from the University of the Philippines College Baguio and has completed masters-level classes in Creative Writing at the University of the Philippines, Diliman.
Luningning B. Reyes, Administrative Assistant
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Joycen D. Sabio, Applied Learning Assistant
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Raul A. Mojica, Waterworks Services Staff
Joel C. Lantero, Electrical/Telecom Services Staff
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Edward A. Iglesias, Housekeeper
Sheilah S. Vergara, Program Specialist, Training & Capacity Development
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Sheilah Sanvictores-Vergara
Sheilah, currently the Training and Capacity Building Specialist at IIRR’s Regional Center for Asia (RCA), has an extensive experience in program and project management and has worked in the private sector, government and non-government organizations for the past 22 years. She has been involved in programs and projects that addresses poverty alleviation using innovative approaches for health and nutrition improvement, community managed disaster risk reduction, agribusiness and enterprise development, natural resource management, microfinance, aquaculture and agricultural production and farming systems and credit analysis and evaluation, She also has extensive experience in conducting monitoring and evaluation, training, capacity building and organizational learning and development, proposal development, preparation of case studies, feasibility studies, training manuals, research papers and other materials for publications. She is also highly experienced in doing advocacy work and networking with academic and research institutions, local government units, foundations, non-government organizations and local and international funding agencies.
Sheilah holds a Master’s Degree in Management and Bachelor’s Degree in Development Communication from the University of the Philippines Los Baños. She also has Ph.D. units in Environmental Science and Management from the same university.
Imelda V. Gonzalez, Finance Officer
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Imelda, is a Finance Officer for Yen Center Operation. She joined the Institute in 1990. A native of the Philippines.
She has a Masters degree in Business Administration and her Bachelors degree in Business Administration, major in Accounting. She is working full time in the Institute while pursuing her masteral studies during weekends for 2 consecutive years.
Irish Baguilat, Field Coordinator, Food Security & Sustainable Wealth Creation
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Gina M. Cantada, YC Operations Coordinator
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Noreen F. Vergara, Development and Marketing Officer
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Philip U. Usi, Yen Center Manager
Gonzalo S. Servano, Jr., Field Coordinator, Disaster Risk Reduction & Climate Change Adaptation
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Tilahun Haile, Capacity Building Expert
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Pamela B. Nyamutoka Katooro, Country Director, Uganda
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Magnolia M. Rosimo, Learning Community Coordinator - Philippines
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Maita Alida C. Ordoñez, Human Resources Coordinator
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Maita has been with IIRR for the last sixteen (16) years. She started as the Institute Nurse and now as the Human Resources Coordinator, in charge of the over-all coordination of all areas of the human resource. Prior to that, she worked with the Municipal Health Office and served as Public Health Nurse. She has Bachelors degree in Nursing. Maita is Filipino by nationality.
Dawit Yirgu, EWESDA Project Officer
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Gebreselassie Wubneh, Logistics Officer
Joined IIRR from April 1/2000. He has served in the Ethiopian Building Construction Authority (EBCA) as a cashier, Project Admin and General Service for 18 years. He also served in International Institutions like PARKMAN and F.C. Shufflers as a Driver and Logistic Officer. He has work Experience for 36 years. Currently he is serving with IIRR as Logistic officer.
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Bezunesh Seboka, Administration Officer
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Mekbib Mamo, Project Assistant
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Tadelle Major, Office Assistant
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Hailu Meskela, Pastoralist Education Project Coordinator
Holds a BSc in Physics/Education. His work experience is in the area of teaching, pastoralist education and facilitating trainings on participatory development approaches and community mobilization. He has worked at the woreda and zonal levels for the Ormoia Education Bureau, Save the Children/USA, SOS Sahel and FARM-Africa. His work experience is in the pastoral areas of Oromia, Somali, South Omo and Afar Regional States. He participated and facilitated different national and international workshops and seminars in the areas of pastoralist community development.
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Miheret Garuma, IT Assistant
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Africa Debebe, Program Assistant
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Seblewongel Bishaw, Project Assistant
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Mingizem Maru, Project Assistant
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Firew Kefyalew, Country Director
Firew Kefyalew joined IIRR in 2007 as IIRR’s Country Director for Ethiopia. With a background in educational psychology and organizational development, Firew has over twenty-four years of program experience throughout East Africa, including Rwanda, Kenya, Southern Sudan and Ethiopia. Embracing an approach of building on existing community strengths, Firew has been able to help shift the views of communities from a dependency and relief mindset to that of development and partnership. Previous professional experience includes Child Protection Officer for UNICEF – South Sudan; Program Development Officer for Save the Children – Sweden; Country Director for Ethiopia and Rwanda field offices of University College Cork – Ireland; and Guidance and Counseling Officer for the Ethiopian Ministry of Education. Firew has also taught courses at the National University of Rwanda. Currently, he serves the Ethiopian Psychologists’ Association as President, and International Editorial Board Member, International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care. Firew is also an International Fellow (2009) of FORD Motor Company’s Program with the 92nd Street Y in New York City focused on Leadership in a Changing World.
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Emilita M. Oro, Country Director, Philippines
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Dulce S. Dominguez, Training Associate
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Arlita B. Rico, Finance Officer
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Arlita Balmes Rico, a finance officer at the Regional Center for Asia, has been with the institute for more than twenty five years. She works closely with the HQ Chief Accountant in the implementation of financial management systems and transactions consistent with the established policies, procedures and control systems. She performs specific activities and transactions related to general accounting, cash management, and preparation and monitoring of budget and project financial reports.
Rico has a degree in Bachelor of Science in Accountancy and she is a Filipino by nationality.
Annie G. Secretario, Regional Programs Administrative Assistant
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Marissa B. Espineli, Regional Director, Asia
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Academic Qualification – Including Major & Minor Qualification
• Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering
• Master in International and Intercultural Management
• Ph. D. in Organizational Development, 12 units
• Ph.D in Applied Cosmic Anthropology, 12 units
Major Field of Engagement in IIRR
• Organizational capacity development
• Training in Development: training design, facilitation, monitoring and evaluation
• Program development and management
• Monitoring and evaluation
• Engaging stakeholders in the development and management of their projects
• Networking and partnership development
• Curriculum development for sustainable agriculture
• Facilitating writeshops
• Program/project management
• Staff supervision and administration
• Gender in development
• Participatory approaches, methods and tools such as PRA, PAR, FLE, etc.
Lara Crampe, Development Officer
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Office: +1-212-880-9140
Lara Crampe represents the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) in the US. She has more than 13 years of experience ranging from environmental justice advocacy with low-income neighborhoods in Washington, D.C. to overseeing the US branch of an international peace organization. Before joining IIRR Headquarters in 2010, Lara managed grantmaking at the Taproot Foundation as Deputy Director, East Coast. Prior to that, she ran a financial literacy and asset-building program for the International Rescue Committee and served on the Board of Directors for US Servas. She has a Masters degree in Geography concentrating on Community Development and a Bachelors degree in International Development concentrating on International Agricultural Development. Lara grew up on a small farm in rural West Virginia.
