I am responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of the National University Observatory of Transparency and Anti-Corruption of Honduras (OUNTAH). This includes designing the scope of work, methodology, and internal processes, as well as developing its thematic areas related to the corruption risk index, applied research on public integrity, innovation for public management, and knowledge building. I coordinate a multidisciplinary team of professionals in developing internal capacities, strategic alliances, information systems, and strategic planning.

I lead a political economy analysis (PEA) to support the design of Year 2 activities for the Democratic Governance USAID Activity in Honduras. The PEA involved national and local governments, civil society, private sector, and academia stakeholders to comprehensively understand the challenges and opportunities related to strengthening public financial management (PFM) and the potential impacts of the 2025 elections. The team presented a set of strategies and recommendations related to government points of entry, civil society engagement, and risk management, which were incorporated into the project programming.

Assessed potential conflicts, risks, and triggers that could arise due to the reconstruction/renovation of three bridges affected by hurricanes Eta in coffee-producing communities of Western Honduras. The PCA provided insights into the motivations and influences of local stakeholders, offering an understanding of potential conflict dynamics during the different stages of infrastructure projects. In response to the key findings, strategies and measures were formulated for reducing dividers and enhancing connectors. Additionally, this evaluation has provided a view of the environmental consequences, enabling the formulation of mitigation strategies to address negative impacts.

Responsible for leading a team of national researchers to conduct case studies on community resilience practices in the Northern Triangle countries of Central America: a group of women seeks justice in the face of sexual extortion from military personnel in El Salvador; urban youth in Guatemala use boxing to avoid getting involved in the criminal world; and a community group in Honduras, addressing not only security but also education and health, manage to prevent acts of violence and reduce crime.

Contributed to developing an assessment of the political capability and support the Secretariat of State in the Offices of Transparency and the Fight against Corruption (STLCC) has in fulfilling its role in anticorruption, public procurement, and internal controls policy. This analytical input assisted the SDG activity in designing strategic programmatic interventions through the Thinking and Working Politically approach

Cooperación internacional

As a leader of a multidisciplinary team of professionals, I have contributed to the development of innovative transparency and accountability projects in areas such as citizen service provision evaluation, open data promotion, political finance disclosure, and journalism. I have also had the opportunity to develop anti-corruption initiatives and measures for government sectors like health, education, security, banking, justice, procurement, and budget). An achievement in anti-corruption reform that produced a significant impact in Honduras was my participation in the selection and certification process of prosecutors and judges for the anti-corruption jurisdiction. My involvement as technical secretary of the evaluation commission assured transparency and due process in a meritocratic process, which contributed to citizen trust and judicial independence. My management skills and experience have contributed to integrating skilled professionals in computer programming, strategic litigation, investigative journalism, and project management. Some of the innovations put forward are Revistazo digital media outlet (http://www.revistazo.biz/web2/), as well as technological and open data platforms; Empresas Abiertas (https://empresasabiertas.com/socios/) and Medicamentos Abiertos (http://www.revistazo.biz/medicamentosabiertos/). These tools have had fantastic results in incrementing access to information, accountability, administrative and criminal investigations of corruption, and creating citizen awareness. As part of my interinstitutional responsibilities is the management of the Advocacy and Legal Advice Center (ALAC), which develops a working relationship and partnerships with service provision entities like the ministry of education, health, security, and the justice system through the citizen complaints and whistleblower actions.

As the senior researcher at the Honduran Chapter of Transparency International, I am responsible for groundbreaking investigations that produced knowledge and awareness of crucial corruption issues. This evidence-based scientific work has motivated government response and citizen mobilization in the last ten years. As a social scientist, I have published more than ten papers on good governance related to public integrity, institutional controls, collective action, democracy, and judicial response to corruption. I have contributed significantly to understanding state capture, grand corruption, and electoral drivers of corruption. At the institutional level, the findings have helped in policy design for police reform, private-public partnerships, medicine procurement, and open government.Actively participating in international transparency initiatives like Open Government Partnership (OGP), Construction Sector Transparency Initiative (CoST), Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) and Transparency International global programs (defense, medicines, criminal justice, Global Corruption Barometer and corruption perception index). Key result: Contributed in consolidating the Association for a Must Just Society as a national and international source of information on Honduras and participating in exchange programs with Latin American civil society organizations, universities and governments.

 Lead a team of three professionals in designing and formulating the social audit policy using a participatory approach with national and subnational civil society organizations Systematized social accountability experiences and lesson learned of the last 10 years Applied international benchmarks and relevant literature on citizen monitoring and evaluation, good governance and open contracting. Key result: Presented the finished document to CSO, government of Honduras and media. The guidelines have been used by CSO working at the subnational level .

 Responsible for the independent evaluation report of Honduras first OGP Action Plan 2012-2013 Prepared a set of recommendations towards a new collaborative action plan and institutional design for the new coordinating and monitoring body. Key result: The government of Honduras created the National Open Government Committee with representation of the public sector, private sector and OSC. This innovative design is first of its kind in the OGP community

 Lead a team of investigators in exposing the misappropriation of public funds for citizen security set to by invested in crime prevention, police equipment, vehicles and communication systems. Interviewed beneficiaries of crime prevention programs and visited different infrastructure projects gathering first-hand information.  Through access to information petitions I reviewed and analyzed financial transactions and procurement processes encountering many contracting irregularities that happened under the name of “state emergency” Key result: The report generated public outcry and citizen demand for greater accountability. As a response, the secrecy law was enacted in 2014, which classified all the information from Citizen Security and Protection Fund as a matter of “national defense”

Institutional Context Analysis (ICA) – United Nations Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries (Redd Programme) Reviewed legal framework, government bodies and civil society participation in forest management and conservation.  Worked with an international researcher in gathering information and documenting the informal rules and power structures in the forestry sector of Honduras. Key result: Provided sound guidelines on project implementation, opportunities for change and risk management for the implementation of the REDD Programme in Honduras

 Consulted civil society actors, direct beneficiaries, communities, private sector associations and government agencies to assess the viewpoints and needs of integrity and accountability during the road construction phase. Designed operations and workflows that resulted in a Grievance Mechanism Manual as a guide to the Ministry of Infrastructure Transparency Office, engineers and private contractors.  Co-supervised the development of SOPTRAVI/Fondo Vial Grievance Mechanism electronic registry (software) and webpage, providing options for grievances, requests for information and citizen participation.

 Researched private and public sector practices relating to database management and disclosure standards. Comparative law analysis regarding data protection jurisprudence and legislation. Designed a road map for the Right to Privacy Law based on political context, private sector collaboration and overall citizen knowledge. Key result: The draft of the law is currently being discussed in the Honduran Congress.

 Supervised the design and preparation of data base of more than 10,000 medicines procured through competitive and non-competitive procurement process. Researched local drug companies, market share, political and economic ties and informal rules set between suppliers and government officials.  Presented main findings to the public, media and oversight bodies. Key result: The report generated public outcry and citizen demand for greater accountability. It was the first in-depth report that explained how corruption networks operated with links to politicians.

 Evaluated government policies, programs and actions in the fight against corruption during the years 2006-2010.  Gathered evidence and testimonies of acts of corruption before, during and after the 28 of June, 2009 Coup in Honduras. Interviewed politicians, academics, media and social actors as well as national and local NGOs that perform government oversight.  Provided recommendations for the Truth Commission Report regarding institutional and political reforms. Key result: The proposal to establish an international anticorruption mission in Honduras motivated the creation of the MACCIH.

Mobilization of Spanish Public and Private Actors in Post-Conflict Reconstruction. Systematized and analyzed data regarding Development Policy in conflict and post conflict countries and regions. Identified international policies and actors in post-conflict reconstruction processes (OECD, UNDP, EU, AECID and private sector involvement)  Contributed to the understanding the nexus between humanitarian aid, rehabilitation and development with private sector involvement.

 Participated in the implementation of the EU sponsored survey “The Integration of European Second Generation”. Field work in various districts of Madrid, surveying second generation immigrants from the Maghreb region.  Used SPSS software to do advanced statistical analysis and present the data to supervisors. Key result: It was a great learning experience in applying surveys and interviewing technics to people of different ages

 Assisted government counterparts in the administration and execution of development projects (health, public infrastructure, good governance, decentralization, telecommunications and poverty reduction sectors).  Provided technical and legal assistance to government and UNDP procurement cycles and contract administration (designing, planning, evaluation, award and post-evaluation).  Abundant experience in public sector capacity building, specifically in the promotion of transparency and cost effective processes.  Key results: My experience and the lessons learned from international cooperation, I have been able to transfer that knowledge to government-funded projects, increasing management and ethical standards.

 Assisted government agencies in the promotion and enforcement of the rule of law, due processes and human rights. Received, analyzed and investigated human right complaints by citizens and advocacy groups. Key results: That experience thought me the risks involved in investigating in conflict areas, the importance of gathering sound evidence and protecting the integrity and identity of collaborators.