Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Lucia Saenz Terrero

Environment, Climate And WASH Specialist

Summary

Dynamic WASH, Environment, and Climate Action Specialist with 10+ years of experience in humanitarian and development contexts, recognized for leading climate-resilient programmes and securing funding for innovative initiatives. Proven expertise in programme management, strategic partnerships, and capacity development, with strong technical, analytical and policy integration skills.

Successfully mainstreamed climate action into national policies, advancing child-centered resilience and promoting youth participation in climate negotiations. Trilingual in Spanish, English, and French, with strong leadership and coordination capabilities in cross-sectoral and multicultural settings.

Overview

13
13
years of professional experience
4
4
Certifications

Work History

Environment and Climate Adaptation Specialist

UNICEF
Dakar
09.2023 - Current
  • Led climate-resilient programme design and implementation across key sectors, ensuring strategic alignment and timely, integrated delivery with cross-functional teams.
  • Directed cross-sectoral coordination for integrating climate action into national and sectoral policies, including the NDC, NAP, and development strategies.
  • Led the first Green Climate Fund (GCF) proposal for UNICEF as an Accredited Entity (AE); also coordinated resource mobilization from IKI and AFDB.
  • Supervised consultants and technical partners, including the development of Terms of Reference (ToRs), support during the selection process, technical review of deliverables, and follow-up on reporting and implementation quality.
  • Provided technical leadership in climate studies, including data analysis, and methodological oversight for vulnerability assessments.
  • Strengthened institutional capacities through targeted training and materials on child-centered climate vulnerability for government and implementing partners.
  • Built strategic partnerships with government ministries, UN agencies, NGOs, the media, and private sector actors to advance UNICEF’s climate agenda.
  • Established a national platform to promote youth engagement in climate action, and successfully advocated for the inclusion of young people in national climate negotiation delegations.

WASH, Environment & Climate Action Specialist

UNICEF
Bujumbura
05.2022 - 08.2023
  • Spearheaded the cross-sectoral coordination of climate initiatives, ensuring joint planning and integrated action across health, education, WASH, and child protection.
  • Led capacity-building efforts by delivering targeted training on climate risk integration, enabling sectoral teams to mainstream adaptation into core programming.
  • Directed a national assessment on climate impacts on children, and convened a high-level, multi-stakeholder dialogue to influence strategic priorities.
  • Drove the integration of climate considerations into annual work plans and strategic frameworks at national and sectoral levels.
  • Provided technical leadership for environmental and social risk assessments of infrastructure projects, enhancing compliance and sustainability.
  • Supervised consultants and technical partners, including the development of Terms of Reference (ToRs), support during the selection process, technical review of deliverables, and follow-up on reporting and implementation quality.
  • Oversaw the design and implementation of climate vulnerability studies and community perception analyses to guide evidence-based programming.
  • Played a key role in resource mobilization by leading and contributing to climate funding proposals, including for the Green Climate Fund (GCF), and the International Climate Initiative (IKI).
  • Supported the development of community-based resilience and youth-led climate action initiatives, promoting locally driven adaptation.
  • Actively participated in national climate coordination platforms and contributed to policy processes, ensuring the inclusion of child-sensitive, cross-sectoral perspectives.
  • Established and strengthened strategic partnerships with government ministries, civil society, and international agencies to advance a shared climate resilience agenda.

WASH Emergency Specialist

UNICEF
Bujumbura
12.2019 - 05.2022
  • Led WASH emergency preparedness, response, and early recovery for COVID-19 and Ebola outbreaks, ensuring continued access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene services in critical public health contexts.
  • Acted as IPC/WASH focal point, developing operational response plans, coordinating multi-partner implementation, and managing contingency stockpiles to support rapid deployment.
  • Served as interagency consortium lead, ensuring harmonized COVID-19 preparedness and response, aligned with donor requirements and implementation standards.
  • Contributed to key humanitarian planning frameworks, including the Humanitarian Action for Children (HAC), Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO), and Emergency Preparedness Plans (EPP).
  • Strengthened UNICEF’s emergency WASH portfolio through strategic planning, coordination with sector partners, and evidence-based proposal development.
  • Produced donor reports and sectoral progress updates, ensuring accountability, transparency, and alignment with UNICEF’s emergency strategy.
  • Co-authored a multi-agency COVID-19 concept note.
  • Supported the rollout of the Core Commitments for Children (CCC) in emergencies.
  • Designed and contributed to risk communication efforts, including the development of a public awareness video on COVID-19 preventive measures and flood response.
  • Facilitated joint partner analysis and led capacity-building efforts, including training-of-trainers, and adaptation of emergency WASH protocols.
  • Maintained strong collaboration with external actors, enabling rapid response, adaptive learning, and operational coherence in a dynamic emergency context.

WASH Officer

UNICEF
11.2018 - 12.2019
  • Provided technical leadership in WASH in emergencies across two duty stations—during the active Ebola response and the post-crisis recovery phase—ensuring effective, context-specific interventions.
  • Co-led the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Subcommittee, leading WASH and IPC interventions to reduce disease transmission through safe water supply, sanitation, and healthcare waste management in health facilities, schools, and communities.
  • Supervised, provided technical oversight, and delivered operational support to WASH implementing partners, including capacity building, to ensure adherence to quality standards, IPC protocols, and overall operational effectiveness.
  • Planned, implemented, and monitored partner-led WASH activities, addressing operational bottlenecks, and aligning with Ebola response and recovery objectives.
  • Led the post-crisis situational analysis, identifying WASH recovery priorities, and implementing resilience-building measures to strengthen WASH systems and improve environmental health in affected communities.

Water, Sanitation and Environmental Chief of Unit

UNITED NATIONS ORGANIZATION STABILIZATION MISSION
01.2017 - 11.2018
  • Led the planning, design, and implementation of water and sanitation infrastructure across 15 mission camps, ensuring engineering quality, construction monitoring, and regulatory compliance.
  • Oversaw the operation and maintenance of two water treatment plants and three wastewater treatment facilities, guaranteeing service continuity, and environmental safety.
  • Conducted regular environmental audits, and implemented improvements to enhance environmental conditions in mission camps and surrounding communities.
  • Managed a multidisciplinary technical team of 30 staff, providing supervision, technical guidance, and on-the-job capacity building to ensure operational efficiency.
  • Supervised water supply and wastewater treatment services, including water trucking in emergency and underserved areas.
  • Monitored project implementation and field progress, reporting against targets, identifying bottlenecks, and ensuring accountability to project goals.
  • Initiated new project designs, preparing concept notes, and funding proposals to address infrastructure needs and scale service coverage.
  • Served as Officer-in-Charge (OIC) for the South Kivu Field Engineering Office, overseeing 200 staff across multiple operational sites, and ensuring coordination across engineering, logistics, and WASH functions.

Water and Sanitation Expert

PRACTICA Foundation
01.2014 - 01.2016
  • Led the supervision of manual borehole drilling operations, ensuring technical compliance, efficiency, and adherence to quality and safety standards.
  • Provided technical guidance on water quality monitoring, laboratory testing, and treatment processes to local consultants and field teams.
  • Designed and delivered training sessions for NGOs and local technicians on water quality protocols, strengthening local capacity in monitoring and treatment practices.
  • Conducted field assessments and feasibility studies using GIS tools and hydrological data to inform the design of sustainable water supply interventions.
  • Coordinated needs assessments and stakeholder engagement, contributing to proposal development for new water quality initiatives.
  • Supported project development and operational processes, including reporting, contract preparation, and financial documentation.

Junior Researcher

EUCC - G.S.T.R
10.2013 - 06.2014


  • Conducted extensive literature reviews, summarizing key findings, focusing on child labor, child sexual exploitation, and human trafficking.
  • Produced analytical reports and briefing materials on project outcomes and advocacy priorities, informing campaigns on ethical tourism.
  • Managed digital communications, including social media content and press releases, to raise public awareness of human rights in tourism.
  • Represented the organization in advocacy meetings and public forums, contributing to outreach efforts and strategic discussions with stakeholders.

WASH Project Manager

UNIVERSITY OF ALCALA
06.2012 - 12.2012
  • Managed a rural water and sanitation project aimed at reducing waterborne diseases through infrastructure rehabilitation, hygiene promotion, and intersectoral coordination with health authorities.
  • Conducted technical assessments and designed water supply systems for rural, urban, and peri-urban areas, supporting the national utility (ENACAL) in planning and water quality control.
  • Led the rehabilitation of damaged boreholes and sanitation infrastructure, providing hands-on technical support, and mobilizing community participation.
  • Delivered hygiene promotion and behavior change trainings, contributing to the reduction of disease transmission in underserved communities.
  • Oversaw full project management, including construction supervision, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), reporting, and day-to-day operational oversight.
  • Established and supported Drinking Water Committees, promoting community governance, ownership, and local advocacy for sustainable WASH services.
  • Managed logistics and operations, including procurement, material supply, and local fundraising efforts.

Education

Master of Science - Climate Change And Development

SOAS , University of London
London
05.2001 -

PG Cert - Water, Sanitation And Hygiene in Humanitarian Acti

University of Alcala
Madrid
05.2001 -

Master of Science - Environmental Science

University of Alcala
Madrid
05.2001 -

Skills

Teamwork and collaboration

Interpersonal skills

Strategic and Analytical thinking

Program and Project management

Excellent communication (Spanish,English and French)

Policy advocacy and influencing

Capacity building and knowledge transfer

Stakeholder engagement and partnership building

Evidence generation and research

Resource mobilization

Decision-making

Technical supervision and quality assurance

Certification

Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM)

Timeline

Environment and Climate Adaptation Specialist

UNICEF
09.2023 - Current

WASH, Environment & Climate Action Specialist

UNICEF
05.2022 - 08.2023

WASH Emergency Specialist

UNICEF
12.2019 - 05.2022

WASH Officer

UNICEF
11.2018 - 12.2019

Water, Sanitation and Environmental Chief of Unit

UNITED NATIONS ORGANIZATION STABILIZATION MISSION
01.2017 - 11.2018

Water and Sanitation Expert

PRACTICA Foundation
01.2014 - 01.2016

Junior Researcher

EUCC - G.S.T.R
10.2013 - 06.2014

WASH Project Manager

UNIVERSITY OF ALCALA
06.2012 - 12.2012

Master of Science - Climate Change And Development

SOAS , University of London
05.2001 -

PG Cert - Water, Sanitation And Hygiene in Humanitarian Acti

University of Alcala
05.2001 -

Master of Science - Environmental Science

University of Alcala
05.2001 -

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Lucia Saenz TerreroEnvironment, Climate And WASH Specialist