Over 36 years of progressively senior-level experience in international development, governance, development finance and planning of socio-economic projects in Asia, Africa, and Central America. Direct experience in management of international, large-scale, governance/ rural and agricultural development programs. Experience under difficult conditions, including civil war and cross-cultural/religious contexts.

Consistent success in fund-raising from private and official bilateral and multilateral donors. International-level professional consulting on development issues for various governments and the various CGIAR institutions and UN Agencies, the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development.

Substantial research and publication, and graduate-level teaching experience, both in formal and non-formal settings.

Highlights of previous posts:

• Deputy Director-General, and Secretary to the Board of Trustees, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) March 2012-June 2018. The IRRI is the premier global scientific research organization focused on rice productivity, rice farmer welfare, nutrition and consumer health, and rice-based food security. Responsible for IRRI’s thrusts in communication, partnerships and fund-raising, legal, and political affairs. Supported the governance, oversight, and decision-making by the IRRI Board of Trustees. Managed IRRI’s engagement with a wide range of international donors, stakeholders, governments, and inter-governmental organizations.
• Chief Economist, and Director of Economic Reform and Development Programs, and Country Representative – Afghanistan, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, The Asia Foundation HQ, San Francisco, USA. March 2007 to March 2012. Led The Asia Foundation’s programs in economic reform and development across 18 countries. Provided overall technical guidance to economics field staff and projects, public-private dialogue, regulatory reform, partnership, and the political economy. Overall stewardship over a multi-year economics projects portfolio averaging US$20M per year, with funds raised from bilateral, multilateral as well as private donors. Also served as Country Representative - Afghanistan (2010-2012), Pakistan (2009) and Sri Lanka (2008). Received the Presidential Awardee for Extraordinary Program Leadership, 2007-2008.
• Assistant Secretary, then Undersecretary - Planning, Policy, and International Trade of the Department of Agriculture, Philippines. During the term of President Corazon Aquino, 1986-1993. Helped lead the country’s efforts in trade liberalization and sustainable agricultural development.
• Founding Executive Director, Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC), Philippines, 1987-1990. Helped organize and lead the country’s assessment, analysis, consolidation, and reform of rural and agricultural finance, including specialized credit programs, rural banks, agricultural credit funds, and crop insurance.
• Earned a PhD in Economics in 1986 at the University of Hawaii and the East West Center, USA, and a Master’s Degree in Economics at Xavier University in the Philippines. His Ph.D. Dissertation was on the economics of scope and scale in banking in emerging economies.