Benjamin Schwertner Email & Phone Number

United States

Arlington, Va

Arlington, Va

-Manage operational implementation of USAID task orders related to democracy and governance, human rights, and analytics and training within MSI’s Latin America-U.S. portfolio. -Oversee contractual, financial, and logistical components of projects to ensure effective and compliant start-up, implementation, and close-out for clients. -Monitor and track project spending, verify permissibility of all expenses, prepare personnel contracts and financial reports, manage procurements, and ensure that project implementation remains compliant within all USAID and Federal regulations. -Coordinate regularly with various technical, back-office, and administrative teams at MSI Headquarters, with project field offices in Bogota and Mexico City and with clients.

Arlington, Va

-Supported implementation of USAID’s Regional Governance Activity program designed to strengthen sub-national governance in 40 municipalities throughout Colombia. -Assisted project management team with translation of consultants’ scopes of work from Spanish to English. -Reviewed field and subcontractor expense reports, reconciled subcontractor advances, and generated consultant reports for client.

Washington, D.C.

-Assisted Latin America and the Caribbean team’s grant making process by preparing materials for Board of Directors to assist team with strategic planning and analysis.

Bogota, Colombia

-Conducted preliminary research for and assisted capacity-building workshops in three conflict-ridden regions of Colombia to investigate conflict resolution experiences and develop alternative mechanisms for resolving conflict at local level.

Cambridge, Ma

-Assisted mobile and digital technology strategy consulting firm with client work involving patent litigation for major technology companies. -Helped develop expert witness reports for use in hearings at the ITC.

Terrabona, Nicaragua

-Completed three-month qualitative assessment and evaluation to investigate community resources and needs. Helped train community members on sustainable designs and technology through award of ECPA and USAID federal grants. -Planned and managed improved-stove and barrel oven project in order to promote environmentally-sustainable technology, diversify family diets, promote small business, and improve respiratory conditions. -Coordinated double pit latrine project in effort to improve community sanitation. Organized community meetings and youth group activities. -Advised local women’s community savings and apiculture groups. -Planted and harvested subsistence crops.

Masters Of Arts, Latin American Studies

Conflict Resolution and Human Rights

Education record

Bachelor Of Science (B.S.), Political Science, Environmental Studies

Education record