Abt Associates Inc

Richard Carlos Worden

Specialist inEnvironmental and Climate Change & Resilience Project Management,

Capacity-Building,and Evaluation

(+66) 02-251-3351 or (+66) 085-234-4620 (cell)

Professional Experience

Consultant to AECOM on ADAPT Asia-Pacific Project for U.S. Agency for International Development / Regional Development Mission for Asia (USAID/RDMA) -- Bangkok, Thailand (April 2014–Jan. 2015). Climate Change Adaptation Project Capacity-Building Team Leader. In current position, provide technical leadership and strategic management oversight for day-to-day activities related to climate change adaptation and resilience (CCAR) training programs and other capacity-buildingefforts for the Adapt Project. These include delivering training materials and courses on urban CCARvulnerability risk assessments, mainstreaming CCAR,preparing proposals and accessing climate change financing from public and private sector institutions.Coordinate with other senior managers to ensure technical quality and timeliness of capacity-building products, and provideinnovative solutions to support risk reduction and climate-resilient efforts.

Independent Environmental Consultant – Bangkok, Thailand (October 2011 – March 2014).Expert in environmental safeguard issues, impactassessments and management systems, and results-based monitoring and evaluation(M&E) systems.Consulting assignmentsencompassed preparing more than two dozen desktop ex-post evaluation validationsof environmental and natural resources management (NRM),forestry, protected areas,biodiversity conservation (BDC), and climate change adaptation(CCA) projects in Asia, Africa, Latin America, Oceania, and the Middle East for TheWorld Bank (WB) andGlobal Environment Facility (GEF). In addition,analyzedthe national environmental assessment system for the Guatemalan environmental protection ministry undera contract to USAID (January - April 2013),and assembled local team of M&E consulting firms for bids on USAID/Vietnam and USAID/RDMA project proposals to assist these USAID missions set up M&E systems for MSI, IDG, IBTCI, Weidemann Associates, and other Washington-based consulting firms specializing in environmental, climate change, and M&E work.

The World Bank – Independent Evaluation Group (Washington, D.C. -- Feb. 2009 to Sept. 2011).Senior Environmental Specialist evaluating environmental and natural resources management, BDC, and CCA projects for IEG and GEF. These objectives-based evaluations assessed the relevance, efficacy and efficiency of over 50 World Bank projects and their performance in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.Core team member on a major IEG evaluation of the World Bank’s environmental and social Safeguard Policies; principal author of a special Evaluation Brief for a sample of 20 World Bank projects’ impacts on tiger habitats and populations in Asia; and provided targeted inputs on several special evaluations for senior IEG managers on those topics.

The Nature Conservancy (Arlington, VA. -- Jan. 2008 to Feb. 2009). Regional Infrastructure Impacts Specialist for South America Science Division. Charged with developing the infrastructure threat abatement strategy in coordination with TNC’s five conservation programs in South America. This involved supporting “proof of concept” projects to implement TNC’s innovative science-based and market-driven approaches employing the conservation mitigation hierarchy (to avoid, minimize, and compensate negative impacts) for dams, road projects, energy exploration/exploitation, and extractive industries. Technical areas of expertise included Strategic and Regional Environmental Assessment methodologies and their application, improved planning and licensing decision-making processes, setting up M&E systems, and developing and delivering capacity-building training courses to promote better execution of environmental management systems and biodiversity compensation “off-set” pilots for proposed infrastructure projects.

International Environmental Consultant (2004 to 2007)

Senior External Consultant on Comparative Analysis of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Systems for Japanese International Cooperation Agency (Washington, D.C. – July to October 2007).Hired by International Resources Group, Ltd. (IRG) as expert on EIA and integrated SEA systems to compare and contrast UN (UNDP, UNEP & UNCHR), USAID, CIDA, and DFID’s systems in terms of legal framework, parameters for screening and scoping, consideration of alternatives, public disclosure and participation, monitoring and evaluation programs, and procedures for Agency decision-making and review at request of JICA.

Environmental Management System (EMS) and M&E System Consultant: designed and implemented all capacity-building and training programs of project staff and contractors on EMS and M&E System for the Rural Development Program in northern Afghanistan for USAID/Afghanistan (Afghanistan – April to June 2006).Responsible for design and training local project staff in the implementation of an EMS to ensure compliance with Reg. 216 requirements for infrastructure projects, as part of a $60 million USAID rural development program in northern Afghanistan for PADCO. In addition to the EMS Manual, local staff were trained in a prevention-first strategy for project review and assessment procedures to apply to all projects to determine which preventive, mitigation, and corrective measures would be taken to ensure compliance with USAID reporting requirements, as well as a process for continual improvement as part of the Monitoring and Evaluation Program (MEP). Site engineering staff trained.

Team Leader on the Environmental Impact Assessment of the Alternative Livelihoods Program (ALP)for USAID/Afghanistan (Afghanistan – Oct. to Dec. 2005). As Team Leader of a five member multi-disciplinary, international team of experts conducting an EIA for a $330 million ALP in Afghanistan for USAID in accordance with 22 CFR 216 requirements, directed the analysis of the potential environmental and social/cultural impacts emanating from road construction and rehabilitation, irrigation, power generation, value chains for agricultural processed goods, livestock and poultry production, construction of buildings, solid waste management, and water supply and sanitation projects. In addition, training was provided to implementing staffs (PADCO, DAI, and Chemonics) in setting up and operating Environmental Management Systems (EMS) to manage and monitor mitigation measures and their efficacy.

International Fundraising Coordinator and Proposal Leaderfor Global Environment Facility (GEF) financing of the Usumacinta River Watershed Protection/Sustainable Development Project in the Mesoamerican Biological Reserve (Guatemala – Feb. 2005 to Oct 2006).Designed substantive components and teaming arrangements for a bi-national sustainable development project along the Mexican – Guatemalan border with local NGOs and public sector institutions in both countries. Led the international fund-raising activities for the project to: promote certified forestry and agricultural practices; obtain carbon offset funds, protect the middle Usumacinta watershed and surrounding forests; preserve biodiversity and important cultural, historic, and archeological sites; promote sustainable tourism in region; protect the rights of local communities and indigenous groups; and provide basic health and sanitation services to local populations. Trained staff of local NGO (Defensores de la Naturaleza in Guatemala) in preparing GEF proposals.

Technical Capacity-Building Trainer to Modernize Solid Waste Management (SWM) systems in Guatemala for the National Association of Municipal Governments (Feb. – Sept. 2005).Provided technical assistance and training to INFOM (Instituto de Fomento Municipal) senior regional technical staff in setting up and operating more modern, efficient, pragmatic and cost-effective solid waste collection, separation, transfer, and disposal systems in all 22 provinces. Briefings delivered in capital city to senior managers, followed up by training to provincial staff in series of regional field visits.

Due Diligence Evaluation of Marlin Gold Mine Project in Guatemala for USAID/Central America (Sept -- Oct. 2004).Reviewed proposal documents and interviewed mining officials, civil rights groups, and indigenous leaders to assess the economic, environmental, social/cultural, institutional, legal and political implications of USAID approval of this Global Development Alliance (GDA) proposal for a highly controversial open-pit gold mining operation in Guatemala. Prepared the Initial Environmental Evaluation (IEE) and Final Due Diligence Report; briefed senior USAID and Embassy staff on findings and recommendations.

Associate and Senior Associate at Abt Associates (1997 – 2004)

Principal On-Site Analyst for Trans-boundary Diagnostic Assessment – joint Global Environment Facility/Inter-American Development Bank (GEF/IDB) Project (2003 – 2004).As the Principal On-Site Analyst of the tri-national (Guatemala, Honduras, and Belize) Gulf of Honduras Marine Pollution Prevention/Emergency Response Project for GEF/IDB in 2003, I was responsible for coordinating the collection and analysis of all available data from government agencies and NGOs of land-based contaminant sources (residential, industrial, and agricultural) to the Gulf of Honduras for the Trans-boundary Diagnostic Assessment (TDA), done in collaboration with the Woods Hole Institute.

Environmental Evaluation of PROARCA Project – USAID/Central American Programs (2003).

Recruited and led “brown team” to evaluate USAID’s flagship Central American conservation project’s pollution prevention (P2) activities, and assess the impacts of EPA-supported regional solid waste facilities and wastewater treatment plants. Analyzed potential replication of these activities on other infrastructure projects.

Central American Occupational Safety & Health Project – U.S. Dept. of Labor (2001– 2003).As Senior Abt Associate on ILAB Projectin Central America, guided the development of National Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Strategic Action Plans in every Central American country to harmonize labor regulations and improve working conditions region-wide. Developed a computer program “Tool Kit” to allow the maquila textile industry to self-identify and diagnose priority OSH risk factors and cost-effective solutions at the factory-level. Coordinated the preparation and capacity-building efforts for the “Ruta Critica” guidance explaining how to establish OSH programs in maquila factories consistent with international labor and occupational safety standards, and developed model worker risk awareness-raising and prevention training materials and programs that were delivered in multiple workshops throughout Central American region.

In-Country Advisor to National Environmental Council (CONAM) of Peru for the Sustainable Environment and Natural Resources Management (SENREM) Project – USAID/Peru (1997 – 2003). Designed, directed, coordinated and supervised all work for six years as the In-Country Advisor to CONAM on the SENREM project under contract to USAID/Peru. Responsible for preparation of annual work plans and budgets, consultant selection and supervision, technical quality of all deliverables and capacity-building efforts of government staff and leading private sector “champion” firms, financial management and contractual requirements, and client relations. Provided technical assistance to the Ministries of Industry, Energy & Mines, and Fisheries. Under my direction, 75 studies, analyses, reports, proposals, training sessions, and guidance documents were delivered to CONAM and client ministries during contract, which was extended several times due to USAID and client satisfaction with the results achieved.

Principal External Consultant for Revising Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESA) for theHydrocarbon (Oil and Gas) Sector in Bolivia – Inter-American Development Bank (2001). Evaluated the ESA review procedures of the Bolivian Ministry of Energy & Mining to recommendmore efficient and accurate means to identify likely impacts and mitigation measures from expanded natural gas and oil exploration and exploitation activities, especially as they might affect the country’s natural protected areas and indigenous populations, including gender and vulnerable population impacts.

Independent Consultant (1994 – 1997)

“Brown” Contamination Strategy and IEE/EA Reviewer– USAID/El Salvador Mission (1995 - 1996)Prepared Mission's Environmental “Brown” Contamination Diagnostic Study and Strategy assessing human and environmental impacts of urban, industrial contamination. Servedas empirical basis for Mission's new environmental strategic objective, and facilitated donor coordination efforts. Prepared, reviewed, and oversaw all Initial Environmental Evaluations (IEE) and Environmental Assessments (EA) for USAID-funded projects.

Risk Assessment Expert to Build Local Capacity at Environmental Ministries of El Salvador and Guatemala on their National Environmental Action Plans (NEAP) (1993 - 1994).Under contract to USAID/El Salvador and the World Bank, designed the analytical framework and trained counterpart experts in the application of a geographically-referenced comparative risk methodology and consensus-based ranking procedures to prioritize the most serious environmental threats facing El Salvador and Guatemala, modifying EPA risk assessment and World Bank environmental safeguards methods.

U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (1988 – 1994)

Environmental Risk & Impacts Analyst and Regional EPA Capacity-Building Liaison (1990 – 1994).Coordinated technical assistance and capacity-building training to staff on three regional EPA projects and seven state-level comparative risk projects. Developed a methodology for conducting ecological comparative risk assessments. Prepared a seminal EPA guidance document, “Comparing Risks and Setting Environmental Priorities,” for which I received Medal of Meritorious Service from EPA Administrator William Reilly in 1993. This approach was subsequently used to train counterparts in over a dozen foreign countries.

Regulatory Impact Analyst for Hazardous Waste Programs (1988 – 1990).Developed an innovative method for evaluating cost and risk information simultaneously to determine optimal remediation alternatives at Superfund sites. Helped prepare an EPA report on delegation of responsibilities to states prior to Congressional re-authorization of Superfund program.

Educational Background:

Advanced Evaluation Techniques and Methods Courses at IPDET (Summer of 2010)at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. Two week-long training courses were completed on statistically valid sampling methods and advanced evaluation techniques.

Basic Introductory Course on Project & Program Evaluation Approaches & Methods at the International Program for Development Evaluation Training (IPDET) at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada in summer of 2009. Four-week training course in evaluation techniques and methods.

Harvard University:John F. Kennedy School of Government, Masters of Public Policy (MPP)in Environmental Policy, Cambridge, MA, 1988.

University of California at Berkeley: Bachelors of Science (BS) inConservation and Resource Studies, College of Natural Resources, 1986. Graduated with high honors (Phi Beta Kappa).

Santa Barbara Community College: Associates of Arts (AA) in Biological Sciences, 1978.

U.S. AirForce: Technical Training School, Highest Honors, Lowry Air Force Base, Denver, CO, 1976.

Professional Affiliations:

International Association of Impact Assessors (IAIA):Member since 2007.

International Development Evaluation Association (IDEAS):Member since 2009.

Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC):Accredited Environmental and Social Impacts Assessment (ESA) Specialist(May 2007)

U.S. Green Building Council: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Program. “Green Advantage” certification for new “green” construction projects (June 2007), and certification as Accredited Professional in (Dec. 2007)

Languages:

English (native)

Spanish (fluent)

Portuguese (2+, 2+)

German (2, 2)

Thai (Survival Intermediate)