Aldo Miranda Sol
Aldo Miranda has over 35 years of experience in Governance, Business Development, Potable Water Resource Management, Violence Prevention and Agriculture Management.
Mr. Miranda Holds a BS in Civil Engineering from the University of South Florida, Tampa.
His formative specialization is in water resources and hydraulic design, with additional emphasis in mathematics and computer programming.
He served for over 21 years as Regional Director for Research Triangle International. His work spanned the countries of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua. RTI provides technical assistance, institutional strengthening, research partnering with local institutions and the private sector overseeing efforts such as climate change, biodiversity, food security, nutrition, youth economic opportunities and education quality.
His international experience include: Argentina, Bangladesh, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, British Guyana, Honduras, Kenya, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Thailand, and the United States
He has more than 35 years experience in management and administration of community development projects, conflict and post-conflict program operations, local government strengthening, decentralization policies, and design technical support of engineering projects.
Mr. Miranda also has experience in private enterprise management in the environmental, agricultural, and commercial sectors.
Aldo Miranda has over 35 years of experience in Governance, Business Development, Potable Water Resource Management, Violence Prevention and Agriculture Management.
Mr. Miranda Holds a BS in Civil Engineering from the University of South Florida, Tampa.
His formative specialization is in water resources and hydraulic design, with additional emphasis in mathematics and computer programming.
He served for over 21 years as Regional Director for Research Triangle International. His work spanned the countries of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua. RTI provides technical assistance, institutional strengthening, research partnering with local institutions and the private sector overseeing efforts such as climate change, biodiversity, food security, nutrition, youth economic opportunities and education quality.
His international experience include: Argentina, Bangladesh, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, British Guyana, Honduras, Kenya, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Thailand, and the United States
He has more than 35 years experience in management and administration of community development projects, conflict and post-conflict program operations, local government strengthening, decentralization policies, and design technical support of engineering projects.
Mr. Miranda also has experience in private enterprise management in the environmental, agricultural, and commercial sectors.
Aldo Miranda is currently working as an independent consultant in his cumulative areas of expertise that include:
RTI- Research Triangle International
USAID
Notable Project Experience
Potable Water and Sanitation Advisor-El Salvador (February 2021 - present) Senior Technical Advisor for operations and management of three potable waters and sanitation systems privately owned by TP Constructora, S.A de C.V. Directly liaise with the Board of Directors and the General Manager to provide better and more efficient services, lower cost and government regulations.
Community Roots Project -Guatemala (2015 to December 2020) Senior Technical Advisor for the project, to help prevent violence and irregular migration in coordination with national, local agencies to track and analyze criminal and violence patterns; improve community surveillance activities; design, implement and monitor prevention initiatives, such as vocational training for youth, after-school programs, domestic violence counseling through schools and churches, and reclaiming of public space.
Higher Education Program -El Salvador (2014 to 2019) Short Technical Assistance (STTA). Provided STTA in project management to support the program during any instances where the Chief of Party is out of the country and in case the program needs additional assistance, such as during the intensive start-up activities of the project mobilization period. In this role, Mr. Miranda worked alongside the COP and/or Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) to help with: support personnel issues; monitor subcontract relations with local partners; provide oversight of finance, budget, procurement, and operational issues; support the office relocation; conduct meetings with local stakeholders; outreach to the private sector; advise on cost leveraging strategies; and backstop as needed.
Dominican Republic At-Risk Youth Initiative -Dominican Republic (2012 to 2015)-STTA. Provided STTA to adapt the El Salvador Crime Prevention Manual to the Dominican Republic environment, train project staff and partner organizations in its implementation, and develop a pilot experience of one Crime Prevention Committee in the Alerta Joven Project Municipalities and conduct a final evaluation for possible replicas in other project municipalities.
Democratic Local Governance Program (DLGP)-Ecuador (2011) Training Project Team and Consultant in Participatory Strategic Planning (PSP) for USAID-funded program in Ecuador. Designed and implemented courses and training modules for the program technical team and nongovernmental organization (NGO) partners; also prepared the work plan for the field implementation of first PSP in the country.
Municipal Competitive Project -El Salvador (2010 to 2014) Short-term technical assistance (STTA) to a project titled "Municipal Competitiveness Project to Improve Local Economic Growth in El Salvador." RTI worked in partnership with the Escuela Superior de Economia y Negocios (ESEN) to assess and rank the country's largest municipalities on their regulatory and business enabling environment to generate private-sector development; and with FUNDE, FUNDES, and SACDEL to strengthen Salvadoran municipalities' competitiveness by promoting investment and trade and increasing their economic growth.
Crime Prevention Project -Guatemala (2010 to 2014) Home Office Technical Manager (HOTM) and Municipal Advisor as well as interim COP to the project, to help build the capacity of Guatemala national and local governments and civil society to track and analyze patterns of crime and violence; improve community policing activities; then design, implement, and monitor prevention initiatives, such as vocational training for youth, after-school programs, domestic violence counseling through schools and churches, and reclaiming of public spaces.
Community Crime and Violence Prevention Project (2008 to 2011) Public-Private Partnership and Municipal Advisor (2010 to 2011); COP (2008 to 2010). This project built the capacity of Salvadoran governments and civil society to track and analyze patterns of crime and violence, then design, implement, and monitor prevention initiatives, such as vocational training for youth, after- school programs, domestic violence counseling through schools and churches, and reclaiming of public spaces. The project was instituted in 16 communities, in 11 of El Salvador's most violent municipalities, and serve as seed for best practices throughout the county and region. The project financed activities through a small grants program and at the same time worked with the National Council for Public Safety, the Ministry of Public Security and Justice, and the Sub-Secretariat of Decentralization and Local Development.
Municipal Competitive Index (2009 to 2009) STTA to a six-month project titled "Municipal Competitiveness Ranking" to improve local economic growth in El Salvador. RTI worked in partnership with ESEN on this project to assess and rank the country's largest municipalities on their regulatory and business enabling environment to generate private-sector development.
Democratic Local Governance Program (DLGP), Bangladesh (2006, 2007, 2008)-Performed PSP closeout activities for the USAID-funded DLGP in Bangladesh (2008). Guest speaker for the project closeout conference on impact of the implementation of PSP in the Bangladeshi program municipalities. Follow-up Training Consultant in PSP (2007). Mid-term internal assessment of the implementation of PSP in the program municipalities conducted by the program technical team and NGO partners. Training Consultant in PSP (2006). Designed and implemented courses and training modules for the program technical team and NGO partners; also prepared the work plan for the field implementation of first PSP in the country.
Second National Municipal Solid Waste Census of El Salvador (2006-2007’) --Team Coordinator in the consultancy services to carry out the Second National Municipal Census of Solid Waste Disposal for the Ministry of Environment of El Salvador (MARN). The study included the collection and data analysis of 262 municipalities with respect to the integral management of municipal solid waste; the evaluation of environmental, legal, and financial aspects; and the existing solid waste management capabilities of the El Salvador municipalities.
Alianzas, USAID Public-Private Partnerships for Education, Health, and Nutrition, Nicaragua (2006) Interim COP for this Nicaraguan program. Its main objective was to build partnerships between the private and public sectors to increase access and improve quality, equity, efficiency, and performance in the use of basic health, nutrition, and education services. The key output was to raise financial resources and in-kind and technical assistance from the private sector interested in corporate social responsibility, to increase the resources available in the country for education, health, and nutrition.
Evaluation of USAID Strategy and Approach to Increase Access to Potable Water in Rural Areas, Dominican Republic (2006) Team Leader for an external evaluation of USAID Dominican Republic strategy and approach to increase access to potable water in the rural area over the past five years.This evaluation provided USAID/Dominican Republic with lessons learned from the implementation of the Total Community Participation (TCP) model in the rural areas and an assessment of its viability as a national strategy. Based on the results, provided recommendations to assist USAID's decision on future participation in the sector.
USAID Democracy and Local Governments Activity in El Salvador (2003 to 2005} Country Team Leader in the program with the direct responsibility of promoting private-sector participation in public services provision, coordinating the design of a pilot local economic development strategy in a selected municipality, developing and defining municipal services standards, promoting service decentralization, and providing policy dialogue.
Sustainable Urban Management: Municipal Development and Citizen Participation (1999 to 2002} COP. Directed and administered the Municipal Development and Citizen Participation Project funded by USAID with three main components: Citizen Participation, Municipal Strengthening, and Policy Dialogue and Reforms. The Project's outputs were centered on consolidating the democratic process in the country, opening new debate spaces for the civil society, supporting decentralized initiatives, providing training and technical assistance to pilot municipalities to respond better to their constituents, facilitating legal reforms to consolidate the project outcomes, and transferring experiences gained by the project to local NGOs. Supported greater accountability and transparency of the local government. Served as advisor to the National Local Development Committee and other National Government institutions in decentralization policy, local revenue generation, and citizen participation methodologies. During July, August, and September of 2002, served as COP in the USAID Local Government program in Guatemala. Recruited personnel and developed work plans and project indicators.
Municipal Development and Citizen Participation Project, El Salvador (1997 to 1999)-Special Projects Consultant. Oversaw, updated, and followed up for the basic services component of USAID Municipal Development Project 519-0388. Gave special attention to decentralization of water systems and solid waste disposal and treatment, establishment of partnerships between municipalities and the private sector, and decentralization of rural roads maintenance. Developed cost procedure manuals and evaluation workshops. Offered management improvements advisory services and participated in the development of the new water sector policy and regulations. Also served as mediator for Municipal Tax Law Initiatives between Corporacion de Municipalidades de El Salvador (COMURES) and private-sector groups.
Public Services Specialist (2002 to 2008). Served as RTI's El Salvador Regional Representative, involved in business development and proposal preparation in the region. Served as part-time Public Services Specialist under the USAID DLGA, with responsibilities to promote private-sector participation in public services provision, define municipal services standards, promote service decentralization, and provide policy dialogue advice to the new COP. Coordinated a consultancy with World Bank on a study of provision of public services by the informal sector, with the final objective to define guidance on public-private partnerships in service provision; and with the International Development Bank (IDB) to develop financial indicator tools and municipal strengthening work plans with the final objective of identifying technical assistance packages.
Awards
Conferences
RTI- Research Triangle International
- Served as Interim Regional Representative to RTI Latin America and Caribbean (December 2020).
- Served as Regional Operations Director (October 2019-2002)
- Served as Interim RTI Regional Office Director in Africa.
USAID
- He currently provides technical support to various United States Agency for International Development- (USAID-) funded projects in the region.
- Served as Chief of Party (COP) in a USAID-funded community crime and violence prevention project in El Salvador. He has been responsible for coordinating and developing technical and financial proposals in areas such as local government, public-private social alliances, health, and education.
- Served as Interim Director for local government programs in Guatemala and Bangladesh and in a public-private alliance health and education program in Nicaragua.
- Served as part- time Public Services Specialist under the Democracy and Local Government Activity of the USAID Local Government Program, with responsibilities to promote private-sector participation in public services provision, coordinate the design of a pilot local economic development strategy in a selected municipality, define municipal services standards, promote service decentralization, and provide policy dialogue advice to other RTI technical and program staff.
Notable Project Experience
Potable Water and Sanitation Advisor-El Salvador (February 2021 - present) Senior Technical Advisor for operations and management of three potable waters and sanitation systems privately owned by TP Constructora, S.A de C.V. Directly liaise with the Board of Directors and the General Manager to provide better and more efficient services, lower cost and government regulations.
Community Roots Project -Guatemala (2015 to December 2020) Senior Technical Advisor for the project, to help prevent violence and irregular migration in coordination with national, local agencies to track and analyze criminal and violence patterns; improve community surveillance activities; design, implement and monitor prevention initiatives, such as vocational training for youth, after-school programs, domestic violence counseling through schools and churches, and reclaiming of public space.
Higher Education Program -El Salvador (2014 to 2019) Short Technical Assistance (STTA). Provided STTA in project management to support the program during any instances where the Chief of Party is out of the country and in case the program needs additional assistance, such as during the intensive start-up activities of the project mobilization period. In this role, Mr. Miranda worked alongside the COP and/or Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) to help with: support personnel issues; monitor subcontract relations with local partners; provide oversight of finance, budget, procurement, and operational issues; support the office relocation; conduct meetings with local stakeholders; outreach to the private sector; advise on cost leveraging strategies; and backstop as needed.
Dominican Republic At-Risk Youth Initiative -Dominican Republic (2012 to 2015)-STTA. Provided STTA to adapt the El Salvador Crime Prevention Manual to the Dominican Republic environment, train project staff and partner organizations in its implementation, and develop a pilot experience of one Crime Prevention Committee in the Alerta Joven Project Municipalities and conduct a final evaluation for possible replicas in other project municipalities.
Democratic Local Governance Program (DLGP)-Ecuador (2011) Training Project Team and Consultant in Participatory Strategic Planning (PSP) for USAID-funded program in Ecuador. Designed and implemented courses and training modules for the program technical team and nongovernmental organization (NGO) partners; also prepared the work plan for the field implementation of first PSP in the country.
Municipal Competitive Project -El Salvador (2010 to 2014) Short-term technical assistance (STTA) to a project titled "Municipal Competitiveness Project to Improve Local Economic Growth in El Salvador." RTI worked in partnership with the Escuela Superior de Economia y Negocios (ESEN) to assess and rank the country's largest municipalities on their regulatory and business enabling environment to generate private-sector development; and with FUNDE, FUNDES, and SACDEL to strengthen Salvadoran municipalities' competitiveness by promoting investment and trade and increasing their economic growth.
Crime Prevention Project -Guatemala (2010 to 2014) Home Office Technical Manager (HOTM) and Municipal Advisor as well as interim COP to the project, to help build the capacity of Guatemala national and local governments and civil society to track and analyze patterns of crime and violence; improve community policing activities; then design, implement, and monitor prevention initiatives, such as vocational training for youth, after-school programs, domestic violence counseling through schools and churches, and reclaiming of public spaces.
Community Crime and Violence Prevention Project (2008 to 2011) Public-Private Partnership and Municipal Advisor (2010 to 2011); COP (2008 to 2010). This project built the capacity of Salvadoran governments and civil society to track and analyze patterns of crime and violence, then design, implement, and monitor prevention initiatives, such as vocational training for youth, after- school programs, domestic violence counseling through schools and churches, and reclaiming of public spaces. The project was instituted in 16 communities, in 11 of El Salvador's most violent municipalities, and serve as seed for best practices throughout the county and region. The project financed activities through a small grants program and at the same time worked with the National Council for Public Safety, the Ministry of Public Security and Justice, and the Sub-Secretariat of Decentralization and Local Development.
Municipal Competitive Index (2009 to 2009) STTA to a six-month project titled "Municipal Competitiveness Ranking" to improve local economic growth in El Salvador. RTI worked in partnership with ESEN on this project to assess and rank the country's largest municipalities on their regulatory and business enabling environment to generate private-sector development.
Democratic Local Governance Program (DLGP), Bangladesh (2006, 2007, 2008)-Performed PSP closeout activities for the USAID-funded DLGP in Bangladesh (2008). Guest speaker for the project closeout conference on impact of the implementation of PSP in the Bangladeshi program municipalities. Follow-up Training Consultant in PSP (2007). Mid-term internal assessment of the implementation of PSP in the program municipalities conducted by the program technical team and NGO partners. Training Consultant in PSP (2006). Designed and implemented courses and training modules for the program technical team and NGO partners; also prepared the work plan for the field implementation of first PSP in the country.
Second National Municipal Solid Waste Census of El Salvador (2006-2007’) --Team Coordinator in the consultancy services to carry out the Second National Municipal Census of Solid Waste Disposal for the Ministry of Environment of El Salvador (MARN). The study included the collection and data analysis of 262 municipalities with respect to the integral management of municipal solid waste; the evaluation of environmental, legal, and financial aspects; and the existing solid waste management capabilities of the El Salvador municipalities.
Alianzas, USAID Public-Private Partnerships for Education, Health, and Nutrition, Nicaragua (2006) Interim COP for this Nicaraguan program. Its main objective was to build partnerships between the private and public sectors to increase access and improve quality, equity, efficiency, and performance in the use of basic health, nutrition, and education services. The key output was to raise financial resources and in-kind and technical assistance from the private sector interested in corporate social responsibility, to increase the resources available in the country for education, health, and nutrition.
Evaluation of USAID Strategy and Approach to Increase Access to Potable Water in Rural Areas, Dominican Republic (2006) Team Leader for an external evaluation of USAID Dominican Republic strategy and approach to increase access to potable water in the rural area over the past five years.This evaluation provided USAID/Dominican Republic with lessons learned from the implementation of the Total Community Participation (TCP) model in the rural areas and an assessment of its viability as a national strategy. Based on the results, provided recommendations to assist USAID's decision on future participation in the sector.
USAID Democracy and Local Governments Activity in El Salvador (2003 to 2005} Country Team Leader in the program with the direct responsibility of promoting private-sector participation in public services provision, coordinating the design of a pilot local economic development strategy in a selected municipality, developing and defining municipal services standards, promoting service decentralization, and providing policy dialogue.
Sustainable Urban Management: Municipal Development and Citizen Participation (1999 to 2002} COP. Directed and administered the Municipal Development and Citizen Participation Project funded by USAID with three main components: Citizen Participation, Municipal Strengthening, and Policy Dialogue and Reforms. The Project's outputs were centered on consolidating the democratic process in the country, opening new debate spaces for the civil society, supporting decentralized initiatives, providing training and technical assistance to pilot municipalities to respond better to their constituents, facilitating legal reforms to consolidate the project outcomes, and transferring experiences gained by the project to local NGOs. Supported greater accountability and transparency of the local government. Served as advisor to the National Local Development Committee and other National Government institutions in decentralization policy, local revenue generation, and citizen participation methodologies. During July, August, and September of 2002, served as COP in the USAID Local Government program in Guatemala. Recruited personnel and developed work plans and project indicators.
Municipal Development and Citizen Participation Project, El Salvador (1997 to 1999)-Special Projects Consultant. Oversaw, updated, and followed up for the basic services component of USAID Municipal Development Project 519-0388. Gave special attention to decentralization of water systems and solid waste disposal and treatment, establishment of partnerships between municipalities and the private sector, and decentralization of rural roads maintenance. Developed cost procedure manuals and evaluation workshops. Offered management improvements advisory services and participated in the development of the new water sector policy and regulations. Also served as mediator for Municipal Tax Law Initiatives between Corporacion de Municipalidades de El Salvador (COMURES) and private-sector groups.
Public Services Specialist (2002 to 2008). Served as RTI's El Salvador Regional Representative, involved in business development and proposal preparation in the region. Served as part-time Public Services Specialist under the USAID DLGA, with responsibilities to promote private-sector participation in public services provision, define municipal services standards, promote service decentralization, and provide policy dialogue advice to the new COP. Coordinated a consultancy with World Bank on a study of provision of public services by the informal sector, with the final objective to define guidance on public-private partnerships in service provision; and with the International Development Bank (IDB) to develop financial indicator tools and municipal strengthening work plans with the final objective of identifying technical assistance packages.
Awards
- 1989 USAID Cash Performance Award for sustainable high level of performance official duties
- 1995 Special Recognition Award, RTI Center for International Development for team work and great efficiency under very tight schedule
- 1999 Certificate of Merit from The Vetiver Network for establishing the capability and use of Vetiver System by Private Enterprises in Central America and for support of the Vetiver System Worldwide
- 2003 RTI President's Award
- 2014 Two RTI Teamwork Awards in Support of Proposals and Projects
Conferences
- Guest Speaker. Participatory Strategic Planning Experiences in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Bangladesh, PSP Workshop (USAID), Tulcan, Ecuador, February 2011.
- Guest Speaker. Participatory Strategic Planning as a Tool for Democratic Governance Conference (USAID), Dhaka, Bangladesh, September 2008.
- Participant. Mega-City Water Conference, International Training Centre for Local Authorities /Actors (CJFAL), Atlanta, GA, May 2007.
- Guest Speaker. XVII General Honduran Municipal Association (AMHON) National Assembly: Challenges of Decentralization and Local Development. La Ceiba, Honduras, April 2007.
- Panel Member. The Challenge: Improve Coverage and Quality of Public Services. Small Independent Public Service Providers Conference, World Bank-FISDL, San Salvador, El Salvador, November 2004.
- Discussion Panel Member. Cadaster, Tool for Municipal Strengthening and Financial Improvements. World Bank, EDDET, and Infocentros Electronic International Conference, San Salvador, El Salvador, June 2004.
- Guest Speaker. The Pilot Experience of Alliance for Economic Development Strategies in Acajutla Port, Sonsonate, El Salvador.
- FEMICA Economic Local Development Conference: Who is Responsible for the Local Economic Development, Guatemala, May 2004.
- Guest speaker. Modernization Options for the Municipal Administration and Finances and the Integrated Municipal Finance System in El Salvador. XVII National Congress of Mayors, San Salvador, El Salvador, October 200l.
- Guest speaker. Decentralization, De-concentration and Privatization Concepts and Terminology. National Legislative Assembly and COMURES Decentralization Workshops, San Salvador, El Salvador, July 2001.
- Guest speaker. Modern Municipal Governments as Strategic Partners in Local Development. XVI National Congress of Mayors, San Salvador, El Salvador, September 2000.
- Guest speaker. The Real Cost of Environmental Services. The Second International Conference on Vetiver: Vetiver and the Environment, Phetchaburi, Thailand, January 2000.
- Coordinator and speaker. Experience in the Use of Vetiver for Infrastructure Protection and Stabilization. Post Hurricane Mitch Bio-Engineering Workshop, Sponsored by the World Bank, RUTA III Project, El Salvador, May 1999.
- The San Julian Municipal Water Enterprise Case, in El Salvador. Potable Water Decentralization Experiences in Central America, FEMICA, La Condesa, Heredia, Costa Rica, September 1998.
