Experience

Sanitation and Water for All - a UNICEF-hosted global partnership

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Senior Water and Climate Consultant

  • Jan 2020 - Present



Global Water Partnership

• Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain

• Senior Consultant experienced in Water Climate Resilience, Sustainability and Governance

  • Apr 2019 - Present

  Senior international consultant and expert with 20 years of experience. Currently collaborating with the Global Water Partnership and the Water and Climate Task Force of UN-Water. Most recently I served as Chief of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) for UNICEF in the second most water scarce country in the world, Jordan. Previously I worked for eight years as water and climate specialist in the WASH Section at UNICEF New York Headquarters, focusing on cost-effective approaches to water provision and climate change adaptation. During this time, I developed and executed several successful missions in different regions of the world including Africa, Asia, and Latin America, providing technical guidance to governments, UNICEF country offices and other partners on innovative and cost-effective solutions to rural water supply, sanitation and adaptation to climate change. Before joining the United Nations system, I held various positions with increasing responsibility as water and sanitation consultant and as supervisor both in the public and private sector. Since 2001 I am a permanent civil servant for the Spanish Government where I have mostly served at the Ministry of Water Resources and Environment. I hold a Master’s degree in Environmental and Water Resources Engineering from the City University of New York, USA, and a Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Burgos, Spain. Show less



UNICEF Jordan - يونيسف الأردن

• Jordan
• Civic and Social Organizations
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Chief of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene at UNICEF Jordan

  • Apr 2018 - Apr 2019



UNICEF

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 700 & Above Employee

• Water and Environment Specialist

  • Mar 2010 - Mar 2018

  1. Strategic and technical support to UNICEF regions and country offices, including programme development and planning: I provide extensive technical support and guidance to key WASH partners at the global, regional and country levels. Such support includes guidance on policies, strategies and best practices for sustainable and resilient WASH programming. I work to facilitate that risk analysis and risk management are embedded into WASH programming. I also advise on corporate WASH strategic planning as well as regional and country programme formulation, design, management and enhancement. 2. Programme monitoring and assessment: I provide technical support to ensure effective monitoring and evaluation of UNICEF climate resilience programming. Currently I provide technical support to the global UNICEF corporate evaluation on rural water supply programming from 2006-2015 and I am tasked with leading UNICEF’s global management response. 3. Advocacy, networking and partnership building: I establish effective partnerships. This includes an Strategic Collaboration with the Global Water Partnership, the management of UNICEF-Oxford University global collaboration on water security and the recently launched (COP 22 in Marrakesh) Alliance for Human water security, public health and climate change. In collaboration with other UNICEF Divisions and National Committees I support key communication, fundraising and advocacy initiatives. 4. Knowledge management, capacity building and innovation: I lead the development of capacity building initiatives in the areas of climate resilience, risk assessments and sustainable groundwater development. I lead knowledge exchange initiatives, including collecting and sharing best practices and lessons learned on WASH climate resilience and water supply sustainable and innovative solutions such as solar powered water supply systems and technical options that enhance community resilience to climate change. Show less



City University of New York

• Greater New York City Area

• Researcher

  • Jun 2009 - Mar 2010

  As a researcher at City University of New York's Environmental Cross-Roads Initiative I focused on: 1. Climate change, water resources and macro-scale hydrology: Documentation, reporting and analysis of international country case studies on interbasin water transfers; 2. Air pollution monitoring: Research and documentation of the effects of air pollution on children's health in The Bronx (New York). As a researcher at City University of New York's Environmental Cross-Roads Initiative I focused on: 1. Climate change, water resources and macro-scale hydrology: Documentation, reporting and analysis of international country case studies on interbasin water transfers; 2. Air pollution monitoring: Research and documentation of the effects of air pollution on children's health in The Bronx (New York).



Spanish Ministry of Water Resources and Environment

• Section Head, Department for Planning & Construction, Ebro River Basin Authority

  • May 2001 - Aug 2008

  As Water Resources Development Engineer I provided technical and managerial leadership throughout all phases of major multimillion-euro water supply schemes and water protection projects which included planning, construction and operation. I established and led the necessary relations between the central government of Spain (as sponsor of projects) and the respective regional and local administrations, in certain cases responsible for on-going operations of project once completed. As part of my role at the Ministry, I simultaneously supervised the work of different internal teams assigned to different water related projects and also external consultants supporting planning, construction or operation for the section. During construction I was the Technical Director responsible for the management of different construction companies executing assigned projects. PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION Within the context of the Ebro River Basin Development Plan I managed the public consultation process, the development of the Environmental Impact Assessment and the development of Emergency Plan of the Soto-Terroba Dam (Logrono) and Araia Dam (Vitoria) projects. During the planning process, the management of multiple stakeholders, (e.g., public, local, regional governments) was a critical component and key success factor for the implementation of the project. I managed the technical approval process for both projects. In addition I was the Technical Director responsible for the amendment of the project and the construction of a 1.5 km river protection infrastructure in Monzon (Huesca). OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE As dam Supervisor of Rialb Dam, (Lleida) I was responsible to ensure adequate budget allocation for safe operation and maintenance, and for the development and implementation of routine plans to ensure correct functionality and longer sustainability. I provided technical expertise and guidance on developing and updating the Emergency Plan of the dam. Show less



INITEC-INTECSA Consultants

• Consultant

  • Jan 2000 - Apr 2001

  As part of the Technical Assistance that monitored the construction of Loteta Dam (Zaragoza) I provided technical review of proposed dam construction processes and modifications in the methodology of construction. I also provided technical inputs to amend the construction project. In the context of environmental monitoring I supervised the implementation of the compensatory measures to avoid environmental damage as indicated in the Environmental Impact Assessment for the construction the dam. As part of the Technical Assistance that monitored the construction of Loteta Dam (Zaragoza) I provided technical review of proposed dam construction processes and modifications in the methodology of construction. I also provided technical inputs to amend the construction project. In the context of environmental monitoring I supervised the implementation of the compensatory measures to avoid environmental damage as indicated in the Environmental Impact Assessment for the construction the dam.



IDECONSA

• Construction Foreman

  • Sep 1998 - Dec 1999

  I was responsible for the construction monitoring of a variety of public infrastructure projects, including the renovation of water supply and wastewater networks in different towns and construction of two wastewater treatment plants. I was responsible for the construction monitoring of a variety of public infrastructure projects, including the renovation of water supply and wastewater networks in different towns and construction of two wastewater treatment plants.