RIMNOMA SERGE OUEDRAOGO

Strategic Program Leadership:

• Led multimillion-dollar climate resilience portfolios across 12 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, managing $15+ million in USAID,NORAD and World Bank, funding with 100% donor compliance achievement
• Directed crisis response programming in Burkina Faso and Niger during active conflict, supporting internally displaced populations through integrated agricultural and livelihood interventions
• Managed cross-functional teams of 50+ staff across multiple countries, implementing performance-based management systems that improved project delivery by 40%

Policy Advocacy & Strategic Partnerships:

• Developed policy frameworks with Tanzania Plant Health Authority and AU-IAPSC, establishing national banana seed movement policies aligned with SDG priorities that enhanced regional trade corridors
• Represented institution at African Union and FAO forums, contributing to continental agricultural transformation strategies and climate adaptation policies
• Facilitated government relations with Mali Ministry of Agriculture and National Plant Protection Organizations, resulting in adoption of climate-resilient agricultural policies in 5 countries

Innovation & Technology Deployment:

• Pioneered AI-powered digital agriculture platforms reducing pesticide dependency by 35% while improving early warning systems for smallholder farmers
• Scaled biochar carbon sequestration technology across 6 countries, enhancing soil fertility by 45% and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for rural households
• Scaled integrated pest management (IPM), focusing on innovations such as egg parasitoid technology to combat Fall Armyworm infestations and create jobs
• Developed decision-support systems integrating climate data and pest surveillance, improving agricultural productivity in climate-vulnerable regions
• Established partnerships with external organizations to facilitate collaborative research efforts and resource sharing.
• Enhanced collaboration among interdisciplinary teams, fostering a productive research environment.

Emergency Response & Regional Coordination:

• Coordinated emergency response with FAO Desert Locust Management Team during East Africa's locust upsurge, deploying real-time surveillance tools across Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia that directly supported food security for 2+ million people
• Established transboundary protocols through West and Central Africa Virus Epidemiology Network (WAVE), enhancing regional resilience against crop threats
• Created youth employment programs in sustainable agriculture, generating jobs while implementing environmental protection measures in post-conflict regions
• Mentored junior staff members, helping them develop their skills and advance in their careers.

Digital Innovation & Knowledge Transfer:

• Designed surveillance systems for crop production and pest management, improving response time to agricultural threats by 60%
• Facilitated cross-regional knowledge-sharing platforms, strengthening collaboration between governments and civil society organizations across 15 countries
• Established effective relationships with key stakeholders both internally and externally for increased collaboration opportunities.

Research Translation & Capacity Building:

• Conducted participatory research with smallholder farmers, developing low-cost integrated pest management solutions that reduced input costs for vulnerable farming communities
• Supervised and mentored graduate and undergraduate researchers
• Collaborated with government research institutions to advance biological control methods for key food security crops (maize, rice, cassava), contributing to national food security strategies
• Improved experimental design by incorporating novel technologies and techniques into procedures.
• Conducted extensive literature reviews to identify knowledge gaps and inform research direction.

Field Implementation & Policy Contribution:

• Delivered technical assistance to rural communities in Burkina Faso improving agricultural productivity and climate resilience in four regions affected by recurring droughts.
• Facilitated national agricultural policy development by implementing crop disease detection and management strategies.
• Executed participatory research programs emphasizing sustainable crop production to enhance food security in vulnerable communities.
• Organized research materials, maintaining a well-ordered workspace conducive to productivity.
• Participated actively in regular meetings with fellow researchers to discuss project updates, challenges faced, and lessons learned during ongoing activities.