Frances F.B. Tesoro
Summary
A Development Programme Practitioner with 15+ years of experience in project management and administration. An advocate of micronutrient deficiency eradication through rice science while protecting research integrity.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Specialist - Communications and Advocacy
International Rice Research Institute
09.2023 - 12.2023
- Part of the team that successfully executed the 6th International Rice Congress.
- Assisted in the management of registration inquiries and logistic requirements.
- Managed post conference communications.
Assistant Manager - Project Coordination
International Rice Research Institute
01.2021 - 08.2023
- Part of the team that successfully received approval for the commercial propagation of the Golden Rice in the Philippines in 2021, the first beta carotene enriched rice.
- Designed and implemented the Healthier Rice Project monitoring tool on Smartsheet. Resulted in improved efficiency in monitoring project budget, activities and deliverables and aided in the production of donor reports.
- Liaised between team leads and project leader in monitoring budget and project outputs for organized collaboration of activities.
- Organized one-on-one training sessions and conducted regular project reviews on Smartsheet with team members to identify outcome achievements and areas for adjustments and improvements.
- Accountable for fund analysis and expenditure monitoring resulting in the timely implementation of project controls, realignments and reallocation in coordination with the Project Manager and Project Accountant for efficient movement of resources.
- Liaised with international and local project collaborators in processing Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs) for seed shipment (e.g. USA, Australia, Europe, Indonesia and Bangladesh). Coordinated with relevant units for proper documentation of material transfers (e.g. Seed Health Unit, the IRRI Tech Transfer, IRRI Service Laboratory, IRRI Biosafety Officer).
- Coordinated and processed agreements (e.g. MOAs, LoAs) with international and local project partners (e.g. IFPRI, the PhilRice and BCP) in coordination with the IRRI Portfolio Development and Management Office.
- Processed project consultant contracts in coordination with the IRRI Human Resources Office.
- Conducted research, analysis and purchase cost effective field and laboratory capital equipment.
Assistant Manager - Project Coordination
International Rice Research Institute
06.2012 - 12.2018
- Successfully released NSIC Rc 460 in 2016, the first high zinc rice variety in the Philippines through the HarvestPlus High Zinc Rice Project.
- Winner of the 2017 scientific breakthrough given by the Philippine Agriculture and Resources Research Foundation, Inc. (PARRFI) for the HarvestPlus High Zinc Rice Project.
- Managed two projects with multiple teams from the Philippines, Bangladesh, Indonesia and India by drafting, coordinating and monitoring project work plans, donor reports and research activities timelines across multiple research sites.
- Drafted and managed budget proposals, analysis and expenditure monitoring resulting in the timely implementation of project realignments and reallocation for efficient movement of resources. Resolved budget issues and identified potential risks for project delays.
- Coordinated international and local donor project reviews and capacity-building trainings for project partners.
- Managed all communications across local and international partners, donors and key stakeholders (e.g. USA, Australia, Singapore, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Philippines).
- Assisted in the conduct of research on current trends in micronutrient deficiencies for concept note preparation for funding opportunities.
- Liaised with international and local project collaborators for Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs) for research analysis or propagation.(e.g. USA, Australia, Europe, Indonesia and Bangladesh). Coordinated with the Seed Health Unit, the IRRI Tech Transfer and the IRRI Biosafety Officer for the smooth shipment and proper documentation of research materials.
- Coordinated and processed agreements (e.g. MoAs, LOAs) with international and local project partners (e.g. IFPRI, ALUF, PhilRice, BRRI, IRRI) in coordination with the IRRI Portfolio Development and Management Office.
- Conducted research, analysis and procurement of field and laboratory capital equipment.
Consultant
International Rice Research Institute
06.2011 - 05.2012
- Managed the IRRI HarvestPlus High Iron Rice Crop Project and the IRRI High Iron and Zinc Rice Project.
Administrative and Technical Support
Kellog, Brown and Root
08.2010 - 05.2011
- Field engineering team support for over 50 staff, vendors and clients. Managed the department electronic database and documents logs, increasing efficiency and productivity.
- Tracked As-Built works with the Document Control Group for key deliverable close-out resulting to smooth turnover to client.
Secretary - Intellectual Property Management Unit
International Rice Research Institute
01.2004 - 07.2010
- Review and facilitated intellectual property proposals and data sharing agreements (e.g. SMTAs, LOAs, NSBMs) ensuring compliance with IRRI policies that resulted in the efficient and effective processing of documents.
- Maintained the IPMU intranet site and implemented periodic updates of IP processes. Layout and upload of IP documents for efficient access.
- Conducted orientations on IP document information and processes to staff, scholars, trainees and institute collaborators.
- Assisted in IP and patent related issues. Conducted internet searches on patents grants.
- Provided administrative support to the IPMU Head.
- Organized local and international workshops and project reviews for the GR project donors and key stakeholders (e.g. USA, Germany, Australia, Singapore, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Philippines).
- Monitored budget expenditure of the Golden Rice Project and assisted in the preparation of donor reports and presentations.
Visitor's Coordinator
International Rice Research Institute
- Conducted orientation on IRRI's research work to visitors (e.g. Heads of State, Ambassadors, Government Officials, Scientists, Farmers and Students).
Project Assistant - External Relations
Shell Companies in the Philippines
- Organized nationwide company outreach programs and events (i.e. the Shell National Arts Students Competition, the Shell National Youth Active Chess Competition, oil refinery inaugurations).
- Conducted research for two coffee table books.
- Layout of internal communication materials (i.e. Shell Balita)
Education
Ph.D. - Development Studies
University of The Philippines
06-2023
Master of Arts - Development Management and Governance
University of The Philippines
04-2017
Skills
- Project Management Abilities
- Budget Management
- Cost Control
- IP Agreements Processing
- Biosafety Compliance
- Orientating and Training
- Technology Transfer
- Events Management and Organization
- Team Motivation
- Staff Management
Certification
- EXIN Agile Scrum Certified (2016)
- PRINCE2 Certified, Project Management Foundation Training (2013)
- Summer School on Intellectual Property, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Thailand (2009)
- Swift Course on Material Transfer Agreements (2004)
- Philippine Registered Nurse (1993)
Publications
- Swamy BPM, Descalsota GIL, Nha CT, Amparado A, Inabangan-Asilo MA, Manito C, Reinke R, Tesoro FB. (2018) Identification of genomic regions associated with agronomic and biofortification traits in DH populations of rice. PLoS ONE 13(8): e0201756. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0201756
- Medina, M.V.C. The Shell National Students Art Competition. (1994). Shell Companies in the Philippines.
- Medina, M.V.C. 25 Years of Shell Art: Shell National Students Art Competition. (1992). Shell Companies in the Philippines. https://artbooks.ph/products/25-years-of-shell-art-shell-national-students-art-competition?variant=41263292416044
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Specialist - Communications and Advocacy
International Rice Research Institute
09.2023 - 12.2023
Assistant Manager - Project Coordination
International Rice Research Institute
01.2021 - 08.2023
Assistant Manager - Project Coordination
International Rice Research Institute
06.2012 - 12.2018
Consultant
International Rice Research Institute
06.2011 - 05.2012
Administrative and Technical Support
Kellog, Brown and Root
08.2010 - 05.2011
Secretary - Intellectual Property Management Unit
International Rice Research Institute
01.2004 - 07.2010
Visitor's Coordinator
International Rice Research Institute
Project Assistant - External Relations
Shell Companies in the Philippines
Ph.D. - Development Studies
University of The Philippines
Master of Arts - Development Management and Governance
University of The Philippines
- EXIN Agile Scrum Certified (2016)
- PRINCE2 Certified, Project Management Foundation Training (2013)
- Summer School on Intellectual Property, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Thailand (2009)
- Swift Course on Material Transfer Agreements (2004)
- Philippine Registered Nurse (1993)
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