Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Additional Information
Affiliations
Languages
Accomplishments
Timeline
Generic

FRANCIS MWATUNI

NAIROBI,KENYA

Summary

To work with a dynamic, challenging, and rewarding organization that allows me to exploit my potential fully, develop, learn, and utilize new technical, administrative, and management skills where I can advance my professional capabilities in Seed systems, Plant Breeding, Seed certification, Food safety, Crop Food security, Plant health, Agricultural Regulatory Services, Improvement and overall in agriculture related Program Management. I also have expertise in stakeholder engagements, agriculture-related surveys, and business model development. I have sound knowledge in Project Management complementing my agricultural sciences knowledge and skills. Experienced and enthusiastic Consultant with track record of success across wide range of industries. Possesses exceptional interpersonal, problem-solving and analytical skills to provide advice and expertise to client organizations improving business performance. Experienced in all aspects of operations, strategy and finance.

Overview

31
31
years of professional experience

Work History

Consultant, Seed Systems

World Bank
Remote
08.2023 - 06.2024
  • Evaluation of the Zanzibar Seed seed system based on the SeedSAT analysis toll on all the8 seed systems Segments. this was followed by the development of the National seed sector investment plan.
  • Developed a seed Sector Coordination Joint Action Plan for Tanzania to be implemented by the the Cereals and Other Crops Regulatory Authority (COPRA) in Tanzania.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to successfully deliver comprehensive solutions for the Zanzibar and United Republic of Tanzania.
  • Managed client relationships through regular check-ins and updates on project progress.
  • Evaluated client needs and expectations, establishing clear goals for each consulting engagement.
  • Developed innovative strategies for clients, resulting in increased revenue and business growth.

Prgram Manager - Seed Systems Analysis and Knowledge Resources

Alliance for a Green Revolution for Africa (AGRA)
Nairobi
9 2021 - 08.2023
  • Led and directed the AGRA team, both direct report(s) and AGRA HQ and country participants, in rolling out Seed Systems Assessment (SeedSAT) to 11 AGRA countries, plus additional countries as identified
  • Develop full work plans and timelines for SeedSAT implementation in the target countries Working with the AGRA country teams, construct and maintain complete lists of critical resource persons, decision-makers, and key individuals for national syndication
  • Ensure timely, accurate complete collection of all data needed to analyze SeedSAT, including country questionnaires, interviews, surveys and site visits, desk research, and other approaches as identified Identify, contract, and manage external consultants contracted to support SeedSAT thematic areas
  • The SeedSAT Thematic areas are Breeding, Variety Release, and Maintenance (BVRM), Early Generation seed Production (EGS), Quality Commercial seed Production(QCSP), Farmer Awareness and Participation (FAP), Seed Markets and Distribution (SMD), Policy Legal and Regulatory (PLR), Quality Assurance (QA) and National Planning and Coordination (NPC).

Project Manager/Support Scientist

International Maize and Wheat Improvement center (CIMMYT)
Nairobi
02.2016 - 02.2020
  • Led coordination of project activities in the 8 SSA countries namely Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe mitigating Maize Lethal Necrosis (MLN) disease
  • This included year planning with partners, design implementation, supervising implementation through close monitoring of activities, monitoring and evaluation and reporting
  • Development of the communication and M and E strategies and oversee their implementation as required by the stakeholders and donors
  • Assessment of Risks during implementation to address emerging risks as per the Risk management plan and effectively leverage with all stakeholders from diverse backgrounds and institutions in achieving the project objectives
  • Overall I;
  • Organized and prioritized work to complete assignments in a timely, efficient manner as per the work plan and compliance with the required Quality management procedures.
  • Functioned collaboratively with various partners, stakeholders, implementers, and donors.
  • Worked well independently and as part of a team to solve problems during my tenure period.
  • Successfully completed the project by organizing the end-of-project meeting with all stakeholders, collaborators, and donors.
  • Facilitated Maize breeders inCIMMYT for compliance with sanitary and Phytosanitary requirements for germplasm movement and sharing in their breeding programs.

Center Director, Plant Quarantine and Biosecurity KEPHIS Station.

Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS)
Nairobi
11.1999 - 02.2016
  • Led the institution in all administrative and technical functions as per the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) mandate
  • Coordination of implementation of Phytosanitary regulatory standards for trade in agricultural produce and products
  • Facilitated Quality Management Systems for ISO/IEC 2000 Certification and ISO 17025 Laboratory Certification for the Plant Health Laboratories in KEPHIS for several Plant diseases and pest diagnosis and advisory services
  • I worked as a Biosafety Officer with the mandate of facilitating the Kenya Biosafety Clearing House as the CBDs Cartagena Protocol
  • I played a role in conservation Agriculture with Public and private partners in Kenya
  • I coordinated projects implemented through the Plant Quarantine and safety facility in collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders including the Ministry of Agriculture, IITA, CIP, CIMMYT, AGRA, AATF, FERA Science, FAO, USAID, USDA-fas amongst others
  • In all activities, I employed best practices in stakeholder mobilization, analysis, and management to reduce the negative impacts of stakeholder competing interests in the management of the projects implemented in my station
  • Overseeing implementation of the Annual work plan of the institution and those of technical and support staff including setting up performance contracts and performance evaluation every year
  • Coordinated in strengthening Plant Health Laboratories in the station as a center of excellence in COMESA countries.
  • Coordinated all staff, collaborators, and partners in implementing various food security projects in the center.
  • Organized and facilitated in Training seed and Plant health inspectors on plant disease surveillance and diagnostics in SSA
  • Involved in Business strategy development for several important crops like Avocado and Potato.
  • Coordinated the development and optimization of several plant disease diagnostic protocols for surveillance, seed certification and advisory to support the Kenya Plant health system.
  • Collaborated with IITA on the 5CP cassava project where I led a seed multiplication team in collaboration with Greenwich University, UK.
  • I developed proposals for major capacity-building projects in KEPHIS
  • Helped to plan and implement new QMS, HR policies, procedures, and standards.
  • Participated in the development of the National Potato and Avocado strategy for Kenya
  • Collaborated with seed companies for adherence to the seed certification process of major crops including maize and potato.
  • Participated in IPPC standards formulation process for several ISPMs in collaboration with the AU-IAPSC secretariat.
  • Helped in formulating various protocols for seed certification in maize, potato, sweet potato, and cassava.
  • Facilitated ISO certification of the National Plant health labs in EPHIS, Muguga
  • Treated company property, and equipment with the utmost care and respect.

District Farm Inputs/Horticulture officer

Ministry of Agriculture, Kenya
Mbale
08.1993 - 05.1999
  • Oversee and coordinate affordable Farm inputs acquisition by farmers and Horticulture activities in the district which included extension, training in agronomy, farm inputs, and farm management in smallholder farming systems in Vihiga District in Western Kenya
  • I also coordinated horticulture crop management practices, post-harvest handling, and local marketing and exports
  • I participated in various seed systems activities for farmers to identify and acquire certified seed for improved agricultural productivity
  • I liaised with seed companies to market their superior products to farmers in my area of jurisdiction and beyond.

Education

Ph.D. - Plant Biotechnology

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT)

Master of Science - Plant Biotechnology

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) Institute of Biotechnology Research (IBR)

Bachelor of Science - Horticulture

Egerton University

Additional Information

Consultancies 1. Development of the Maize Lethal Necrosis (MLN) Emergency Preparedness Plan/Strategy for East African Community (EAC), Nairobi/Arusha July 2017 - September 2017. The emergency preparedness plan entailed risk assessment of the maize disease, proposed risk management, surveillance activities, and proposedmanagement practices sequentially to limit the spread in case the disease is reported in new areas. This was adopted by contracting parties in the EAC. 2. Compiling and publication of the MLN Management Technical Handbook, Nairobi, Kenya June 2020 - August 2020The activity involved collecting all technical information from various professionals in the management of plant diseases. The information was collated in chapters in synchronized into a compact handbook to be used by all relevant stakeholders in the Maize value chain for MLN management in Eastern Africa. 3. MLN Project Impact in the Management of MLN in Sub-Saharan Africa -Synthesis Report, Nairobi September 2020 - December 2020I was contracted by the African Agriculture Technology Foundation(AATF). This involved assessing the impact of the several initiatives for combating Maize Lethal Necrosis (MLN) disease in Sub-Saharan Africa. This includes agronomic management aspects, MLN-free seed production, research, development, and deployment of MLN-resistant maize hybrids. 4. Efficacy trials for registration of Biocontrol agents and organic fertilizers as per the Kenya Technical Standing Committee for Imports and Exports. March 2011 - March 2020 5. Development of the Kenya Potato Strategy, Nairobi May 2013 - February 2014I was a member of the National task-force in developing the National Potato strategy for Kenya. I served diligently due to my senior position in KEPHIS where I backstopped on SPS, Plant health, seed certification and compliance to international standards for imports and internal distribution of seed potato. 6. Capacity Needs Assessment for the Plant Health SPS Institutions in Kenya, Nairobi November 2021 - November 2021The assignment involved gathering information on the capacity needs of the SPS institutions through a review of documents that have been produced from various assignments as well as the roles of these organizations. agriculture, Kigali July 2022 - November 2022Extensive review and edit of several extension manuals for Agriculture and for Nutritional manuals for populations in Rwanda under FAO.

Affiliations

  • Scientific journals Articles Review at Journal of General Molecular Virology (APS-JGMV), Nairobi January 2020 - September 2020 Peer review of the scientific journal of articles in plant virology and pathology in general.
  • Project Management for Development Professionals, APM group certification, UK.

Languages

English

Accomplishments

  • Achieved in the assessment of the Seed system in Zanzibar and developed a Seed sector investment plan through effectively helping with seed sector stakeholders in Zanzibar.
  • Collaborated with team at World Bank and in the Ministry of Agriculture in Tanzania in the development of the Joint Seed Sector Action Plan. This is to prepare for the implementation of the Seed Systems Investment Plan developed with assistance form AGRA and the National Seed Sector Development Strategy compiled by ASPIRE Tanzania.

Timeline

Consultant, Seed Systems

World Bank
08.2023 - 06.2024

Project Manager/Support Scientist

International Maize and Wheat Improvement center (CIMMYT)
02.2016 - 02.2020

Center Director, Plant Quarantine and Biosecurity KEPHIS Station.

Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS)
11.1999 - 02.2016

District Farm Inputs/Horticulture officer

Ministry of Agriculture, Kenya
08.1993 - 05.1999

Prgram Manager - Seed Systems Analysis and Knowledge Resources

Alliance for a Green Revolution for Africa (AGRA)
9 2021 - 08.2023

Ph.D. - Plant Biotechnology

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT)

Master of Science - Plant Biotechnology

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) Institute of Biotechnology Research (IBR)

Bachelor of Science - Horticulture

Egerton University

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FRANCIS MWATUNI