Candice E. Bruce

Led U.S. the U.S. Government’s efforts to create awareness for and promote the International Year of the Woman Farmer which aims to close the gender gap and increase livelihoods for women in agriculture.

Drafted the U.S. Government strategy for implementation of the International Year.

Led interagency and global teams to ensure the successful implementation of the year.

Managed grant process for the United Nations' technical agency to receive funding to implement activities for the International Year

• USDA representative for 25 Caribbean markets accounting for $2.1 billion in U.S
• Agricultural and food product exports in 2021
• Serves as a member of FAS’ Climate Change Strategy Team
• Active participant in FAS outreach and recruitment efforts, including efforts related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility

• Oversaw operations for USDA’s 15 offices in Europe, including bidding, assignments, and transitions for 31 Foreign Service Officers
• Created a policy for tandem FAS couples serving in the same country which was approved by USDA and the Department of State
• Represented the Foreign Service in the development and implementation of a strategy for engaging with the European Union
• Developed the framework for FAS’ re-structured international internship program

• USDA lead on agricultural policy for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations General Assembly
• Served as Acting Agricultural Counselor for 6 weeks at the U.S
• Mission in Rome
• Spearheaded joint U.S.-Canadian effort to develop key messages to strategically engage with the Organization and represented U.S
• Government during key negotiations
• Coordinated USG effort to secure an additional $1 million in funding international standard setting bodies, a key USG priority
• Served as the primary technical advisor on FAO issues to the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs

• Provided regional coverage for Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama
• Supervisor for nine locally engaged staff with responsibility for a U.S
• Agricultural export market of over $1.5 billion
• Oversaw the implementation of USDA food assistance programs and capacity building efforts in the region and monitored implementation of U.S.-Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement and the U.S.-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement
• Participated in Foreign Service outreach events served as a panel member for Foreign Service selection interviews
• Interviewed for USDA educational and recruitment video

• Market access portfolio lead for World Trade Organization (WTO) issues
• Analyzed impact and outcomes for negotiating scenarios for the WTO Bali Ministerial Conference and identified U.S
• Government (USG) negotiating redlines for the World Trade Organization’s Bali Ministerial Conference

• Desk officer responsible for coordination of policy related to plant products and capacity building in China; USDA policy coordinator for Taiwan and Mongolia
• Responsible for a portfolio value of almost $20 billion in U.S
• Agricultural export
• Coordinated USDA’s involvement in the first U.S.-Taiwan Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) in six years; prepared senior USDA and White House Agency officials for TIFA talks
• Represented USDA/Washington during pre-TIFA technical meetings in Taiwan
• Developed briefing materials for use by senior USG officials during the U.S.-China Joint Commission for Commerce and Trade and related bilateral meetings and supported Congressional Delegations to China and Taiwan by preparing briefing materials to be used by members of Congress and their Staffers

• Managed promotional and marketing activities for regional hardship post (Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia) with a market value over $1 billion; agricultural exports increased by an average of 30 percent during my assignment
• Served as the interim Agricultural Counselor for five months, directly reporting to the Ambassadors in U.S
• Embassy Lima and U.S
• Embassy Quito
• Directed the workload for eight locally employed staff in Peru and Ecuador
• Monitored food assistance programs in Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia
• Monitored implementation of U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (PTPA)
• Oversaw on-the-ground implementation of a $2.3 million capacity building program aimed at strengthening Peruvian agricultural institutions capacity to implement the trade promotion agreement

• Fulfilled training position in two program areas and the Office of the FAS Administrator
• Examined and monitored agricultural trade compliance and enforcement in Asian markets
• Coordinator for strategic development and capacity building in the Western Hemisphere, including the program to ease the transition into the full implementation of NAFTA, CAFTA capacity building, and represented USDA in the Commission for Assistance for a Free Cuba

• Supported the Chief of Staff in the administration and development of agency operations and policy
• Developed Standard Operating Procedures for Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) operations and compiled Congressional authorities and legislation for FAS-administered programs
• Served as a liaison between the Office of the Administrator and FAS’ policy-focused program areas