Benjamin Schiek Email & Phone Number

Colombia

Cali, Colombia

As part of the Climate Resilient Food Systems team, my overarching duty is to research and develop proactive perspectives on the risk environment of smallholder farm communities in the developing world, especially as regards emerging threats posed by climate change and price volatility. The guiding aim is to identify areas of latent or risk/social capital that have been overlooked by mainstream development narratives, and to develop methodology for the evaluation and operationalization of these… Show more As part of the Climate Resilient Food Systems team, my overarching duty is to research and develop proactive perspectives on the risk environment of smallholder farm communities in the developing world, especially as regards emerging threats posed by climate change and price volatility. The guiding aim is to identify areas of latent or risk/social capital that have been overlooked by mainstream development narratives, and to develop methodology for the evaluation and operationalization of these "hidden" resources. A major part of this work consists of conducting ex-ante impact assessments of climate change shocks in conjunction with the release of new agricultural research products, using models such as IMPACT and TOA-MD. Show less

Cali, Colombia

Over the course of four consultancies (each one lasting about 3 months), I worked with the DAPA team on the following deliverables: 1) A decision support framework for the ex-ante evaluation of research projects under risk, and for optimal fund allocation across portfolios containing several such projects; 2) An ex-ante adoption rate simulation model for the evaluation of climate change mitigation strategies; and 3) An ex-ante impact assessment of improved, climate-friendly forage varieties in… Show more Over the course of four consultancies (each one lasting about 3 months), I worked with the DAPA team on the following deliverables: 1) A decision support framework for the ex-ante evaluation of research projects under risk, and for optimal fund allocation across portfolios containing several such projects; 2) An ex-ante adoption rate simulation model for the evaluation of climate change mitigation strategies; and 3) An ex-ante impact assessment of improved, climate-friendly forage varieties in East Africa. Show less

Nairobi

This was a short term consultancy to assess the costs to a non-profit institution of developing a transgenic crop program oriented towards resource-poor farmers, for approval and release in one developing country. The non-profit institutions participating in this study are CIP (Nairobi office), Wageningen University in the Netherlands, and Cornell University in New York. The final draft of my report was published in the International Journal of Biotechnology.

Corvallis, Oregon

I completed a study on resource-poor farmer adaptation to climate change in Kenya. This entailed a deep analysis of a panel of farm returns data in conjunction with future climate data generated by Global Circulation Models (down-scaled to 10 arcminute resolution using the Delta Method). I created regression models loosely based on the Ricardian method and then input the resulting means into the Multi-Dimensional Tradeoff Analysis (TOA-MD) model in order to generate a projected distribution… Show more I completed a study on resource-poor farmer adaptation to climate change in Kenya. This entailed a deep analysis of a panel of farm returns data in conjunction with future climate data generated by Global Circulation Models (down-scaled to 10 arcminute resolution using the Delta Method). I created regression models loosely based on the Ricardian method and then input the resulting means into the Multi-Dimensional Tradeoff Analysis (TOA-MD) model in order to generate a projected distribution of climate change impacts on the farmers included in the survey. The final draft of this project constituted my master's thesis and was featured as one of the 2012 AgMIP Highlights. Show less

Bogota, Colombia

Supported the transition from warfare to sustainable civilian livelihood for recently demobilized ex-combatants. The effort resulted in a published book and BBC documentary ("Peace Woods"). The documentary was produced by Productora La P in Bogota, Colombia and aired worldwide in October 2007. I was assistant producer on this film. The book was titled "Cuando la Guerra es el Unico Camino" by Juan Carlos Vargas Sachik, published in 2007 by Norma in Bogota.

Bogota, Colombia

Supported the Commercial Forestry Component Senior Technical Advisor in his research on the Colombian forestry sector. Collected horticultural sector information in Bogota in support of Tetra Tech's USAID-ADAM proposal. Drafted terms of reference for USAID-ADAM positions. Assisted the USAID-MIDAS Commercial Forestry Component Manager and Senior Technical Advisor in drafting reports and work plans.

Gaborone, Botswana

Conducted an analysis of Trade Rules of Origin on Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) intra-trade flows.

Master'S Degree, Applied Economics, W/Concentration In Environmental Economics

Bachelor'S Degree, English Language And Literature/Letters