MARCUS JONES
Maricopa,AZ
Summary
An agriculturist and natural resource professional with over ten years of progressive experience as an agricultural researcher and expert in sustainable cropping systems for small-holder farmers, Climate-smart agriculture, research & development, sustainable livelihood program development that integrate agricultural production and forest protection; Analytical, skilled in coordinating projects/programs with multiple partners to strengthen field implementation initiatives; specific strength in managing timelines and deliverables; experience in Customary Land Rights and Participatory Land Use Planning; experience in community engagement, mobilization, and empowerment, with a focus on customary authorities. Have the ability to manage complexity and have enthusiasm for teamwork; confident communicator who effectively leads cross multi-functional teams and exchanges information across numerous platforms; excellent research, analytical, and writing skills with papers in peer review journals on climate change adaptation analysis and integrated soil fertility management.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
New Roots/Food Security Coordinator
International Rescue Committee, IRC
01.2023 - Current
- Responsible for overseeing resources, infrastructure, land management, and the facilitation of resource access for farmers
- Directly responsible for the management of New Roots farms and coordination of Refugee farmer activities and all market outlets including the New Roots Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program
- Building capacity the of New Roots Urban Farm and Community Gardening Program through the development and facilitation of farmer training, recourse acquisition, managing the day-to-day operations, production management, and volunteer coordination
- Coordinating with New Roots partners and facilitating training on land management, crop production, food safety, business development, and marketing
- Collecting and maintaining relevant data for New Roots grants and donor deliverables; contributing to grant writing and reporting requirements
- Represent IRC in the larger community through attending outreach events and by organizing events and volunteer days
- Strongly supporting the New Roots Program in fundraising, development activities, and resource acquisition of in-kind and monetary donations
Landscape Program Manager /Livelihood Expert
IDH-The Sustainable Trade Initiative
11.2020 - 09.2022
- Responsible for the overall management of IDH's landscape program in the Southeast of Liberia, Contributed to the program strategy and coordinated implementation at the landscape level – facilitating coordination between contracted project partners and key stakeholders in the landscapes, contributed to designing and setting up additional field projects, and tracking progress and monitoring deliverables on the ground
- Set up and managed a landscape-level multi-stakeholder platform that developed and delivered a joint vision among stakeholders and built a strong implementation strategy for Green Growth
- Led the Planning and implementation of livelihood and market access interventions under the Liberia Forest Sector Project (LFSP)
- Facilitated market assessments and Value Chain development and provided technical backstopping to the implementation of Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) in the southeast landscape
- Represented IDH and maintained a close and consultative working relationship with stakeholders, including local county authorities in the Southeast, government agencies, and the World Bank, through frequent former and informal contacts, coordination, and collaboration
- Regularly facilitated coordination meetings with partners and strengthen linkages between consortium partners, Regional Inter-Agencies task force (RIAT), and other regional initiatives.
National Consultant- Research System analyst
FAO-Liberia
11.2020 - 03.2021
- With Support from the international senior consultant, I have conducted a comprehensive system analysis of the research and extension systems in Liberia, in consultation with the public and non-public actors, and recommended solutions to improve the linkages problems between research, extension, and farmers especially for: (i) the governance structures, (ii) capacity, management, and organization, and (iii) advisory methods
- Specifically, I led the establishment of the country team and strongly supported the preparations and facilitation of enumerator training, organized and facilitated the validation workshop with the national stakeholders, prepared the workshop report, and supported the integration of their feedback into the report
- I contributed to developing, reviewing, and finalizing the investment plan, innovative financing mechanisms, and resource mobilization strategy for extension reform in Liberia.
Agriculture Program Consultant
Salvation Army Polytechnic
10.2019 - 03.2020
- I championed the development of a comprehensive training curriculum for the agriculture program and contribution to the creation of a new strategic vision for the agriculture college that is based on comparative advantage
- I have anchored and contributed significantly to the agricultural program review for the College of Agriculture and Integrated Rural Development and identified the strengths and weaknesses of the curriculum and updated the curriculum
- I provided technical assistance to the creation of the Field Practical and Innovation Center to enhance student hands-on learning activities
Director
Central Agricultural Research Institute
03.2018 - 06.2019
- I have managed a staff of over 300 Liberians (both scientists and support staff) and managed the day-to-day activities of the institute
- I have significantly contributed to the revision of the strategic plan including 7 thematic research programs ensuring strategies and day-to-day operations are all directed toward achieving the set priorities
- I have managed an annual budget of 2.9 million USD in line with approved government policies
- In charge of the institute, I have collaborated with the Ministry of Agriculture and other National Agricultural Research Institutes to develop policy guidelines and set up research priorities of national and regional interest
- I provided technical advice/expertise to government ministries and agencies on agricultural project/program development and created linkages with other national and international agencies.
Research Officer
Central Agricultural Research Institute
07.2012 - 03.2018
- I have been in charge of the Root and Tuber Department and contributed to the development of research concept notes, the supervision of research activities, and the development and implementation of the root and tuber research program
- I contributed to the development and revision of the root & tuber research framework, led the preparations of research proposals, and actively supported fundraising for the institute
- I have provided technical assistance for the development of a cassava-based farming technology using legumes as intercrop and assessed in situ Biological Nitrification Inhibition (BNI) performance for cassava germplasm
Consultant Agronomist
Africa Rice Center
04.2017 - 01.2018
- In close consultation with the international irrigation Expert, I provided technical assistance on the need assessment process and the identification of agronomic challenges for lowland rice production in south-eastern Liberia
- I contributed to the design and implementation of best agronomic practices for lowland development, pest management, soil and water management, and land-use change
- I supported the development of the irrigation, soil, and pest management guides, and provided support for the strengthening of the advisory workforce for the irrigation scheme
- I contributed to establishing the Farmer Demonstration Centers (FDC) where we designed and tested iron toxicity management practices using simple and efficient techniques.
Agronomist & Team Lead
Winrock International
11.2011 - 07.2012
- I led the field team and managed field operations and maintenance and workforce efficiency
- I championed the implementation of improved methods of oil palm production in Liberia and supervised the training of small-holder farmers on the production and management of oil palm
- I provided supervision to the technical team for the decentralized Oil Palm seedlings production component of SHOP-I (Smallholder Oil Palm Support Project) and prospection and selection activities for potential nursery operators; managed the establishment of Oil Palm nurseries in project counties
- Provided technical supervision to the nursery extension team in organizing technical support and field monitoring of oil palm seedling production, distribution, and out-planting.
Extension Agent
Visions In Action
10.2008 - 09.2010
- I have trained war-affected youth and community members in swamp development and rehabilitation, nursery preparation and management, field layout, and transplanting
- Worked with project communities, village elites, and smallholder farmers to promote lowland rehabilitation in the selected farming communities and managed WFP food/cash for work for lowland rehabilitation in accordance with WFP regulations.
Education
Ph.D. - Crop Science
University of Cape Coast
Central Region, Ghana07.2016
Rice Research
International Rice Research Institute
Philippine10.2012
Master of Science (M.Sc) - Agronomy
Njala University
02.2012
Bachelor of Science (B. Sc) - General Agriculture
Cuttington University
01.2008
Skills
- Training and Development
- Project Coordination
- Organizational Performance
- Report writing & Program Reviews
- Personnel Management
Timeline
New Roots/Food Security Coordinator
International Rescue Committee, IRC
01.2023 - Current
Landscape Program Manager /Livelihood Expert
IDH-The Sustainable Trade Initiative
11.2020 - 09.2022
National Consultant- Research System analyst
FAO-Liberia
11.2020 - 03.2021
Agriculture Program Consultant
Salvation Army Polytechnic
10.2019 - 03.2020
Director
Central Agricultural Research Institute
03.2018 - 06.2019
Consultant Agronomist
Africa Rice Center
04.2017 - 01.2018
Research Officer
Central Agricultural Research Institute
07.2012 - 03.2018
Agronomist & Team Lead
Winrock International
11.2011 - 07.2012
Extension Agent
Visions In Action
10.2008 - 09.2010
Ph.D. - Crop Science
University of Cape Coast
Rice Research
International Rice Research Institute
Master of Science (M.Sc) - Agronomy
Njala University
Bachelor of Science (B. Sc) - General Agriculture
Cuttington University
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