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Don Osborn
Consultant , International development, research
Falls Church, VA, USA, United States
Expert in rural community development. Research interest in languages in development communication & research.
Interdisciplinary background in social sciences & environmental studies, including research methods, planning,
policy. Additional experience in: language & localization; military contracts; management; teaching &
training. Sixteen years' work in West & East Africa, China, & Middle East.
Send email Contact Don Osborn
Area of Expertise:
  • Agriculture, Livelihoods, Microfinance, Rural
  • Communications, Media, Knowledge Management, Editor
  • Director, CEO, COP, President
  • Environment, Climate, Energy, Water, Sanitation
  • Monitoring, Evaluation, Policy, Research, Analysis
Professional Experience:
Consultant for African Language Materials Archive, 2015 on strategy and content.

Consultant for Obsidian Solutions Group, 2015, on development of proposal to support Malian military health services.

Senior level contractor with IDS International: In 2014 as Senior Advisor for USAID-funded Women in Conflict-Prone Communities project. In Kabul, 2012-13, as Research Director of Social Science Research and Analysis for the US Army's Human Terrain Systems program, coordinated and reviewed quantitative and qualitative research projects implemented by Afghan staff on opinions and attitudes in Afghanistan.

Senior level contractor with BAE Systems, 2009-12: First as Research Specialist/Advisor with Socio-Cultural Research and Advisory Team of US Africa Command (AFRICOM) in Djibouti, including assessment of civil affairs projects in Uganda and Ethiopia, as well as cross-cultural briefings of US military and training of some Ugandan army units. Later worked as a policy and doctrine specialist for Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization in the US.

Consultant for Geographic Services, Inc., 2010-11 (part-time for 4 months, concurrent with other work). Provided input to project on Somalia.

Developed information resources and expert networks for localization of information and communication technology in African languages, 2005-09, with two projects funded by International Development Research Centre: First as Project Lead of PanAfrican Localisation (PAL) for three years, followed by transition to the African Network for Localisation (ANLoc). Published articles and a book: African languages in a digital age (HSRC Press/IDRC, 2010).

Taught in diverse settings including a distance course on language and international development for Tulane University (US) in 2007 and courses on environment and development for Chengdu University of Technology (China) in 2004.

Served several roles with the U.S. Peace Corps, most recently as Associate Director for Agriculture in Niger, 2000-04, which included management, representation, training, field visits, with focus on household food security. Support of volunteers included evaluation and advice on work and small project proposals. Also served as a rural development volunteer in the 1980s: Togo (animal traction, pisciculture), Mali (forestry), and Guinea (agroforestry).

Research on crops in Africa, including most recently on soybean use, 2002-03, leading to publication of an article: “Soybeans and Soybean Products in West Africa: Adoption by Farmers and Adaptation to Foodways.” (in C. DuBois, et al, eds. The World of Soy. Univ. of Illinois Press, 2008). In 1992 contributed to editing volumes of the Lost Crops of Africa series (National Academies Press, 1996, 2006, 2008), and maintained communication with editors on content.

Did research for the International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Natural Resource Management and Information Resource Management progra
Education:
Michigan State University, PhD, Resource Development, 1997 (Graduate Concentration in African Studies)

Michigan State University, MS, Resource Development, 1993 (Outstanding MS Student in Resource Development)

Johns Hopkins University, BA, Social and Behavioral Sciences, 1978
Affiliations and Achievements:
Serve on the boards of:

African Language Materials Archive\

Kamusi Project

Available for:
  • Consulting assignments
  • Job opportunities
  • Being headhunted – make me an offer

    Years of Experience:
    More than 20 years
    Highest Qualification:
    Doctorate
    Languages:
    English, French, Fula (Fulfulde/Pular), Bambara
    Nationality:
    United States
    LinkedIn Profile: www.linkedin.com/in/donosborn/en
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