Mary Onsongo Email & Phone Number

Arlington, Virginia, United States

Nairobi, Kenya

• Led a team of professionals in implementing the East Africa (EA) Feed the Future (FTF) agriculture portfolio focused on regional agriculture policy reform and institutional capacity building.• Overseeing regional programs designed to implement the USG's Global Food Security Strategy (GFSS) under the East Africa (EA) regional plan.• Represented USAID/KEA's Office of Economic Growth and Integration (OEGI) and where applicable USAID Mission in various external forums, including high-level host government and donor meetings.• Provided technical expertise to 55+ staff including 6 U.S. Direct Hires (USDH), 43 cooperated Country nationals, and 4 US/TCN Personal Services Contractors.• Providing critical strategic and managerial leadership to a policy portfolio of investments organized across OEGI office teams - Resilience, Food Security, Energy, Investment, Trade, and WASH.• Cultivated strong networks and relationships between USAID/KEA and USAID DC, USAID EA Bilateral missions, and USG agencies (USTR, CDC, FAS, FCS, Econ/Pol).• Served as the Contractors/Agreement Officers Representative (C/AOR) in charge of high-level communication for internal and external networks with organizations.

Nairobi Kenya

• Assessed approximately 10 proposals per year of USDA/FAS East Africa Humanitarian Assistance proposals to determine appropriate approvals and resource allocation, utilizing industry trend analysis and a multi-million-dollar budget• Supported the monetization of at least 2 Food Assistance programs ($30M annually), minimizing issues related to food supply and demand market systems across the East African region• Developed a minimum of 5 annual commodity reports and 2 agricultural trade policy monitoring reports, synthesizing, and evaluating pertinent information to inform strategic initiative development• Directed the capacity building and annual exchange programs, program scope planning, and deliverable performance, including but not limited to the Borlaug and Cochran Fellowship programs• Preemptively identified and capitalized upon business development opportunities across East Africa without sacrificing regulatory compliance with applicable governing bodies and the use of sustainable practices• Coordinated with USAID/KEA BHA office leadership, International NGOs and host governments on the procurement (both local and food aid imports), management (logistics), and utilization of commodities such as wheat, CSB, and legumes

Kenya

Spearheaded domestic and international market research

Formulated participatory extension methodologies, tools and techniques and objective oriented project planning.

Master Of Science In Food Industry Management And Marketing, Agricultural Economics

Agricultural Economics, Market segmentation, Targeting and Positioning Econometrics and Food trends

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba, Economics And Geography