A brief biography for each recipient is below.
Juanita L. Schultz
President’s Outstanding Headquarters Staff Award
Juanita Schultz joined IFDC as an accountant in March 2006. She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of North Alabama (UNA) in Florence.
Juanita is a problem-solver who constantly seeks ways to streamline processes for IFDC’s accounting office. Her work is conducted in a timely manner and she can always systematically work toward a solution. Her colleagues note that she provides the utmost support, patience and encouragement when training others in accounting procedures, both within and outside of the accounting department.
Juanita has worked tirelessly to prepare learning materials, Excel presentations and test databases to train overseas accounting staff in the use of Accufund accounting software. She has displayed exemplary hospitality to overseas accounting staff who received training at Headquarters.
Dr. Upendra Singh
Chairman’s Outstanding Professional Award
Dr. Upendra Singh received his Ph.D. in soil science from the University of Hawaii. He has vast experience in the development and application of crop simulation models and decision support systems (DSS). Upendra came to IFDC in 1988 as a systems modeler. He was the principal modeler/developer of the CERES-Rice model, the SUBSTOR-Aroids model and the lowland nitrogen dynamics model for the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT). He also developed the phosphate rock decision support system (PRDSS) and co-developed the CERES-Barley, CERES-Millet, CERES-Sorghum and CERES-Wheat models.
Upendra was appointed principal scientist/specialist in November 2009. During his tenure at IFDC, he coordinated and conducted research to better understand and quantify agricultural and environmental processes. He has developed, field-tested and applied decision support software to simulate biophysical processes with an emphasis on sustainable agriculture. He has also used systems tools to evaluate the comparative agronomic, economic and environmental advantages and tradeoffs to alternative cropping and nutrient management strategies.
Most recently, Upendra contributed to quantification of the environmental impact of urea deep placement (UDP), particularly nitrous oxide and nitric oxide emissions in Bangladesh. This research has attracted the interest of the national agriculture research system and policymakers in Bangladesh and the international community.
Upendra is a tireless campaigner for research excellence. He is able to work under difficult, high-pressure situations and still attain excellent results due to his diligence and attention to detail.
Fatimata (Fatima) Dipama
President’s Outstanding Outposted Staff Member Award
Fatima Dipama holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a Master 1 in management from the Institut Supérior de Management, Dakar, Senegal. She joined IFDC‑Burkina Faso in November 2007 as an intern/accountant assistant. After four months, she was promoted as acting finance and administration officer at IFDC-Mali. She then became the accountant of two regional projects, USAID WACIP and 1000s+, until June 2009. She has also served as budget officer for USAID WACIP and acting National Administration and Finance Officer for IFDC-Mali. In July 2012, Fatima became project administrator for the 2SCALE project in West Africa.
Since joining 2SCALE, Fatima has developed financial and administrative systems and tools specific to the project. These include, but are not limited to:
- A system to collect, review and document private sector co-investments from all corners of West Africa, including contributions of smallholder farmers, small- and medium-sized enterprises and other partners.
- A system to capture, document and update IFDC’s contribution to each 2SCALE partnership with a lead firm.
- A system to monitor the project’s budget and inform/advise each country team on a monthly basis.
These systems and innovations are valuable to 2SCALE and IFDC. They have been duplicated in East Africa, and she has trained other accountants to use the same tools. Her contributions have helped build a stronger 2SCALE project and a stronger IFDC.
Fatima is always eager to learn from others and excited to contribute to the success of the 2SCALE project. She has proven to be responsive and very reliable, especially in the areas of budgeting, control and forecasting of expenditures. She is a dedicated, enthusiastic employee who is a true asset to IFDC.
