I am an Evaluation Analyst at the Global Environment Facility’s Independent Evaluation Office (GEF IEO), where I primarily work on climate change adaptation. I bring over a decade of experience in program evaluation, project management, and results-based frameworks, with a strong focus on environmental policy, biodiversity conservation, and private sector development.
Before joining the GEF IEO, I worked at the World Bank’s Independent Evaluation Group (IEG), contributing to thematic and country evaluations within the Private Sector cluster. My work focused on infrastructure, climate change, and financial inclusion, and I led country case studies in Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and Indonesia.
I have also held positions at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the Inter-American Development Bank.
I hold an MSc in Social Policy from the University of Pennsylvania and a BA in Political Science from the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM). I’m passionate about advancing evidence-based learning and applying both qualitative and quantitative methods to generate insights that strengthen global development outcomes—especially in the face of climate challenges.
Mexico
Rasec Niembro
Evaluation Analyst
GEF IEO
Posted on 28/08/2025
From my experience as an evaluation analyst at the GEF Independent Evaluation Office working with the LDCF and SCCF, I have seen that the real challenge is not producing recommendations, but ensuring they are used. In our evaluation of GEF support to Climate Information and Early Warning Systems (CIEWS), we emphasized that sustainability requires more than technical outputs—it depends on embedding financial and institutional strategies that continue after projects close. For recommendations to be useful, they must strike the right balance: too prescriptive and they risk irrelevance; too vague and they are ignored. Incentives matter, too—whether through accountability mechanisms or integration into decision cycles, organizations need to create conditions that make feedback actionable. While “champions” can accelerate uptake, relying on individuals is risky in institutions with high turnover. Instead, systems approaches—such as requiring sustainability strategies across all projects or institutionalizing follow-up mechanisms—provide continuity and resilience. Ultimately, feedback gains influence when it is institutionalized, incentivized, and framed in ways that decision-makers can adapt to their realities.