Ghangela Jones
WASHINGTON,DC
Summary
Public policy and program analyst with over a decade of experience advancing food security, nutrition, and sustainable agriculture across federal and community-led initiatives. Proven ability to support food systems strategy, conduct data-driven research, and manage complex grant programs with a focus on inclusion and equity. Skilled in policy analysis, stakeholder engagement, and strategic planning, with a strong record of delivering actionable insights for decision-making. Experienced in applying food access and equity frameworks to inform development initiatives in both domestic and international contexts. Known for effective team collaboration, adaptability, and a consistent work ethic in navigating evolving priorities and delivering high-impact results.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Agricultural Development Officer
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
08.2024 - Current
- Provide technical leadership on monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) for food security, resilience, and agricultural development programs across 10 country portfolios.
- Contribute to the design of food systems and nutrition-sensitive agriculture strategies aligned with Feed the Future and inclusive growth principles.
- Conduct research and analysis of food system indicators, emerging trends, and demographic data to inform programming and cross-sector collaboration.
- Organize and facilitate multi-stakeholder meetings and interagency coordination sessions with USDA program staff, USAID Foreign Service Officers, and implementing partners to ensure alignment across food and development priorities.
- Serve as Alternate Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR) for two multi-donor water governance awards in Subsaharan Africa, supporting program design and adaptive learning.
- Coordinate with interagency partners and implementing organizations to advance sustainable food systems and community-led development.
Management Analyst
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) – RD
01.2017 - 08.2024
- Supported the Electric Program within USDA Rural Development, focusing on both grant and loan portfolios.
- Managed a $10 million annual budget for the High Energy Cost Grant Program, distributing funding primarily to Alaska Native and Tribal entities to enhance access to critical energy infrastructure.
- Reviewed grantee disbursement requests and performance reports, ensuring 100% compliance with federal, USDA, and RUS regulations.
- Conducted research and policy analysis to support electric program development, identifying trends in funding, eligibility, and community access.
- Compiled and verified data on budgets, community demographics, and program performance to support leadership decisions and policy briefs.
- Drafted clear guidance materials and compliance bulletins, reducing borrower errors and improving support for underserved rural communities.
- Delivered presentations and briefings on loan and grant performance, contributing to USDA’s broader rural equity and infrastructure strategy.
- Led internal improvements to tracking and reporting systems, increasing transparency and operational efficiency.
- Responded to inquiries from grantees and senior staff regarding financial and administrative performance.
- Evaluated existing systems and processes, identifying inefficiencies and recommending modifications for optimal performance.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to identify opportunities for process improvement and increased productivity.
Farm and Agribusiness Advisor
Peace Corps
09.2014 - 11.2016
- Trained women and youth in sustainable vegetable production, soil conservation, and soybean processing to support nutrition and income diversification.
- Led a Participatory Analysis for Community Action for more than 100 community members across 9 villages, and helped local stakeholders develop a cooperative for Prunus Africana cultivation and reforestation.
- Facilitated the establishment of 8 school-based demonstration plots and trained teachers and students in home gardening and nutrition.
- Organized food production workshops and community planning meetings in coordination with schools, women’s groups, and local leaders.
- Provided financial literacy training to cooperatives and supported smallholder groups in gaining market access for agricultural products.
- Collaborated with local NGO SOPISDEW to align community-led food access initiatives with USAID Feed the Future objectives.
Education
M.S. - Agricultural and Applied Economics
University of Georgia
Athens, GA08.2014
M.S. - Agricultural Leadership
University of Georgia
Athens, GA05.2014
B.S. - Agriculture in Agricultural Economics
Fort Valley State University
Fort Valley, GA05.2010
Skills
- Grants Management Certificate for Federal Grants (Dec 2017)
- Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) Level 1 Certification (Oct 2024)
- MEL frameworks (eg, indicators)
- Food systems analysis and community nutrition
- Grant management: SF-424, SF-425, 2 CFR 200
- Stakeholder engagement & facilitation
- Qualitative and quantitative research methods
- Policy writing and brief development
- SPSS, Microsoft Excel
- French (intermediate), Spanish (basic)
Key Qualifications
- 10+ years leading food security, agriculture, and rural development programs across federal and grassroots settings
- Informed by academic research on credit access barriers in organic agriculture—closely tied to small-scale and urban farming—offering a policy perspective on systemic inequities in sustainable food systems
- Proficient in food systems analysis, applying it to program design, research, and policy decisions around food access, nutrition, and equity
- Strong track record managing full grant lifecycles, from solicitation to compliance and closeout
- Experience organizing stakeholder meetings and public outreach, including with USAID, USDA, and community partners
- Conducted research and policy analysis using demographic, budget, and program data to support strategic decisions
- Effective collaborator with interagency teams and trusted facilitator of inclusive, equity-focused policy work
- Committed to sustainable, community-centered planning, with a strong foundation in food justice—ensuring equitable access to nutritious, locally relevant and community-preferred food options while addressing systemic barriers in the food system
Publications
- Conducted thesis research exploring how farm lenders’ perceptions of organic agriculture affect credit risk models, identifying systemic gaps in financial access that limit sustainable farming growth and equity within the food system
- Reconciling information gaps in organic farm borrowers’ dealings with farm lenders (Agricultural Finance Review, 2015)
- Thesis defense: Do Farm Lenders’ Attitudes and Credit Risk Assessment Models Influence Organic Farmers’ Demand for Microloans? (University of Georgia, 2014)
Related Academic Experience
- Certificate in International Agriculture
- Study Abroad in Thailand (Jan–Mar 2014): Explored rural development and agricultural policy
- Study Abroad in Costa Rica (Nov 2013): Studied coffee production systems
Timeline
Agricultural Development Officer
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
08.2024 - Current
Management Analyst
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) – RD
01.2017 - 08.2024
Farm and Agribusiness Advisor
Peace Corps
09.2014 - 11.2016
M.S. - Agricultural and Applied Economics
University of Georgia
M.S. - Agricultural Leadership
University of Georgia
B.S. - Agriculture in Agricultural Economics
Fort Valley State University
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