Nomination of FSN Maria Villa for 2009 Environment,

UNCLAS MANILA 000384 SIPDIS STATE FOR FSI MKELLER, RWINCHESTER, SHALLET BANGKOK FOR REO HHOWARD REF: SECSTATE 15409 E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV AFSI KSCA AFSN TSPL RP SUBJECT: Nomination of FSN Maria Villa for 2009 Environment, Science, Technology, and Health Course ¶1. Embassy Manila is pleased submit the following nomination for the 2009 ESTH course: a. Name: Maria Theresa "Bimbi" N. Villa, grade 10 b. Date of Birth: January 11, 1963 c. Nationality: Filipino d. Passport No.: pending application e. Agency: Department of State f. Position title: Economic Specialist g. Supervisor: Caron de Mars, Email: demarsce@state.gov h. Education: BS in Environmental Planning, Maryknoll College Foundation, Philippines 1983; 21 units completed toward Masters in Regional Planning, University of the Philippines, 1986-1988 ¶2. (h-continued) Job experience: Philippines Department of Agriculture, 2005-2006: Chief of Staff to the Secretary. Supervised staff; analyzed economic data; offered advice on policy formulation; and represented the Secretary at meetings. - Farming Optics for Changing the Agricultural Landscape of the Philippines, Inc. (FOCAL Philippines) 1997-2005: Board of Trustees Secretary. Founded FOCAL to advocate agricultural policy changes and promote innovative agricultural projects. Concurrently ran a consulting business. - Department of Agriculture, 1987-1997: Various analytical, human resource, and managerial positions. -Department of Trade and Industry, Republic of the Philippines, 1984-1987: Industry Development Analyst. Monitored regional operations, cottage, small, and medium enterprises. ¶3. (h-continued) Current responsibilities: Economic Specialist 2006-present. Analyze and report on Philippine ESTH and agricultural policies and programs. Act as Embassy's expert on marine scientific research regulations and facilitating clearance for U.S. scientific research. Participate in public outreach. Help in the selection of and provide assistance to Embassy Science Fellows. Prepare presentations for the section's interagency Economic Policy Working Group. Work with USAID, FAS, and FCS to set up meetings with NGOs, Philippine government officials, and U.S. companies, to capitalize on overlapping interagency portfolio areas. Mentor the newly-hired local staff in the Biosecurity Engagement Program. Provide technical and administrative support to the economic section officers. ¶4. (i) How course would enhance nominee's effectiveness: This course would broaden Bimbi's skills on ESTH issues and required writing style. She would gain insights into State Department operations, policy, and expectations. Bimbi possesses good presentation skills, but gets a bit nervous. This opportunity would boost her confidence in her presentation abilities. This course would build on her two years of USG policy knowledge and introduce her to new topics, which would increase her job effectiveness. Bimbi displays the desire to expand professionally. She would take advantage of this opportunity to meet speakers from other agencies and her contemporaries. She has virtually worked with many people in OES that she would like to meet. These individuals would be important resources for her in years to come. ¶5. (j) Course suggestions: Post suggests that the course director use Bimbi's experience in pushing through clearances on eighteen research cruises in the last two years and how she has overcome many associated obstacles. Her knowledge would benefit FSNs serving in coastal states. Course leaders can explain the interagency process and how to enhance our relationships with other USG agencies; give policy talks on U.S. positions such as on climate change and adaptation; give overviews of regional programs like the Coral Triangle Initiative; disperse information on bilateral debt-for-nature swaps to preserve coral reefs and old-growth forests; instruct how to best leverage bilateral and multilateral scientific agreements; and summarize programs like GLOBE that we co-sponsor with other agencies. Experts can talk about clean energy technology. ¶6. Bimbi has not had any training in Washington with the State Department. KENNEY