Oriana Villar

Experience

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  Independent School Teacher and Training Consultant

  Jun 1994 - Jun 2005

  Instructor

  • Private classes in Spanish language (all ages), 1996-2011. • Substitute in grades 1-12 (American School of Madrid), 1998-2002. • Spanish Language School Teacher, ages 6-8 and adult (American School of Madrid, Academia Language School, Inc.), 1998-2005.

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  University of Hawaii at Manoa

  Aug 2002 - May 2005

  Fisheries Biologist

  • Observer Biologist aboard pelagic longline fishing vessels targeting swordfish and tuna. • Collected data on vessel activity and fishing operations.• Processed targeted species and bycatch for life history information. • Obtained information on incidental interactions with sea turtles, cetaceans and albatross. • Worked with fisheries database system, entering and evaluating data collected. • Acted as a liaison between the fishing industry and the National Marine Fisheries Service. Show less

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  University of Hawaii at Manoa

  Aug 2005 - Apr 2010

  • Planned and developed National Environmental Policy Act documents for the U.S. implementation of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention.• Participated as a member of the U.S. delegation in meetings of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, where managed and organized the U.S. delegation; submitted U.S. proposals and comments on Commission documents; drafted, edited, and disseminated meeting summary reports, briefing papers, and position papers; and distributed Commission related documents and papers.• Developed and maintained a database of information on fishing vessels as required under the Convention, and maintained a database of active U.S. fishing vessels in the Convention Area.• Developed policy and briefing papers on fisheries issues, including environmental compliance requirements.• Knowledge of international agreements for the management of oceanic fishery resources and various environmental laws and regulations. Show less • Debriefer for the Hawaii Longline Observer Program, including ensuring high quality data was collected and recorded by fishery observer biologists aboard U.S. fishing vessels.• Maintained accurate database management and meticulous verification of protected species data and sample collection.• Assisted in training fisheries observers (Hawaii Longline Observer Program and Republic of Marshall Islands Observer Program).• Coordinated implementation of a new observer program in American Samoa. Show less

  • International Project Analyst

    May 2006 - Apr 2010

  • Data Quality Manager

    Aug 2005 - May 2006
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  NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration

  Apr 2010 - Nov 2022

  • Lead Program Manager for international development in sustainable fisheries and conservation of key marine species in West Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean, including designing, developing, justifying, coordinating, and managing the implementation of capacity-building programs. • Develop and coordinate budget proposals for capacity-building programs, including identifying external funding sources and facilitating inter-agency liaison to secure all resources necessary for project execution. • Develop an annual Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) through the NOAA grants system. Manage the FFO by compiling, coordinating, and evaluating all incoming grant applications to ensure accuracy and compliance with all legal and administrative requirements. Provide technical support to the NOAA financial manager, Grants Officer Representative, and grantee relating to financial management and grant administration as a Federal Program Officer. • Identify policy priorities and monitor regional and global trends related to fisheries management, conservation, and economic advancement in West Africa and the Western Hemisphere, and ensure all planned and ongoing initiatives are meeting U.S. foreign policy and conservation objectives.• Coordinate program implementation and liaise within the U.S. Department of Commerce and with non-governmental organizations, U.S. government stakeholders, industry representatives, and U.S. Embassies abroad. • Draft briefing papers for principals; draft substantive parts of Congressional testimony and press statements; draft, edit, and coordinate clearances on reports to Congress. • Provide a multitude of informal translation services for NOAA and the U.S. State Department on technical documents English/Spanish. • Maintain relationships and liaise with foreign embassies in Washington to facilitate support for U.S. policies and programs and liaise with foreign entities, academics, and NGOs who specialize in fisheries. Show less • Executive Secretary for the Advisory Committee (AC) to the U.S. section of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission. Responsible for effective functioning of the AC, including drafting Federal Register notices, nominee and member packages, and meeting agendas, coordinating the nominee selection procedure, compiling and presenting briefing materials, and organizing member and meeting logistics.• Drafted and compiled briefing and position papers for the U.S. delegation in preparation for meetings of international fisheries bodies and for negotiations for international fisheries agreements.• Identified key issues raised during deliberations on conservation and management measures, including identifying potential impacts of proposals on the United States and its fishing industry and contributing to deliberations and negotiations.• Managed and organized the U.S. delegation to international fisheries meetings including the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission and the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organization.• Coordinated with representatives of the U.S. industry, other U.S. Government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and other member States of international bodies prior to and during meetings in order to advance U.S. interests and policies related to conservation and management measures. Show less

  • U.S. IOOS Regional Coordinator

    Apr 2020 - Nov 2022

  • U.S. IOOS Regional Coordinator

    Apr 2020 - Nov 2022

  • U.S. IOOS Regional Coordinator

    Apr 2020 - Nov 2022

  • U.S. IOOS Regional Coordinator

    Apr 2020 - Nov 2022

  • U.S. IOOS Regional Coordinator

    Apr 2020 - Nov 2022

  • Foreign Affairs Specialist

    Aug 2013 - Apr 2020

  • Fishery Policy Analyst

    Apr 2010 - Aug 2013
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  NOAA U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System

  Apr 2020 - Nov 2022

  U.S. IOOS Regional Coordinator
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  NOAA Fisheries: Office of International Affairs, Trade and Commerce

  Jun 2022 - Jul 2023

  Foreign Affairs Specialist
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  NOAA Satellite and Information Service

  Jul 2023 - now

  International Affairs Specialist