Paul Marai

• Managed research staff and activities related to forest products, coordinated research performance against key performance indicators, and adjusted strategies to align with government's 2020-2050 vision.
• Reported quarterly program activities and operations to Director of Forest Research Institute, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
• Monitored programme performance against key performance indicators KPIs, adjusting strategies to achieve desired results.
• Engaged with senior management to report on programme status, risks, and achievements, securing ongoing support and resources.
• Upgraded programme management procedures for compliance with best practices.

• Oversee and manage documentation and research into medicinal plants of New Guinea
• Coordinated research in minor forest products, ensuring accurate documentation to fulfil programme requirements and meet PNG government goals.
• Conducted identification and extraction of essential oil plants in PNG, contributing to local resource management and sustainable use.
• Documented distribution and identification of PNG bamboo and rattan species to support biodiversity and conservation efforts.
• Documented forest food resources and conducted surveys in various regions of Papua New Guinea.

• Collaborated with ACIAR team members to achieve target results in Balsa (Ochroma spp) seed improvement programme in PNG, enhancing seed quality and availability
• Designed and implemented provenance trial and planting programmes to evaluate genetic diversity and performance of Balsa (Ochroma spp)
• Facilitated community awareness initiatives for Balsa (Ochroma spp) improvement programme, engaging local stakeholders and promoting sustainable practices
• Reporting quarterly on Project targets and acquittals of Project Funds used

• Directed on-site project activities, supervising Project teams to ensure work targets and government objectives are met
• Managed officers and labour force to ensure effective project execution.

Executed weekly and quarterly work plans to meet project milestones, facilitating timely project delivery.

Developed budgets and managed contracts to ensure project compliance.

Executed acquisition processes for establishing and managing plantations, ensuring alignment with project goals.

Managed assets on project sites to ensure efficient resource utilisation.

Managed production and care of nursery seedlings for planting programmes, supporting successful planting initiatives.

Performed soil testing, identification, and collection for agricultural projects.

Collected and managed seeds for various planting initiatives.