Internship - Monitoring & Evaluation at SNV Netherlands Development Organisation

About the project

• The project is part of the larger Initiative for Sustainable Landscapes (ISLA) Programme implemented by IDH and its partners in the South Western Mau region, aiming to restore and conserve 60,000 hectares of the Mau Forest by 2030 through interventions such as:
• Forest conservation;
• Improvement of water flow and access;
• Sustainable energy;
• Alternative livelihoods for communities.
• The project was born out of the realisation that livestock over-grazing and browsing is one of the main causes of forest loss in the South Western Mau Forest Reserve, which is an important water source, vital for local and downstream communities, businesses, and wildlife reserves alike. This is in addition to the fact that for the surrounding communities, livestock is an important source of income and livelihood.
• SNV developed an alternative livestock production and intensification model which helps in reducing grazing pressure on the forest while raising the income of livestock farmers and communities. The model also focuses on establishing input and output markets that enable the community members to access reliable inputs and markets for their livestock produce.
• The project has established five dairy cooperatives in the area that provide a stable market for milk, as well as 25 demonstration farms that farmers can access for continued learning and development. The project also set up a rotation system for grazing and encouraged farmers to practice semi-zero-grazing by providing high-quality feed to their livestock on their farms. These interventions have led to reduced livestock dependence on forests and at the same time increased opportunities for cattle farming communities by generating income through the intensification of dairy farming.
• To sustainably improve the income levels of the surrounding communities, there is a need to strengthen these dairy cooperatives to increase their capacity and to effectively bulk and market dairy products. This will be achieved through enhancing milk production at the farm level, strengthening the governance and leadership at the cooperatives, and creating linkages with other stakeholders within the value chain.

For more information on the ISLA partnership, please visit: https://www.idhsustainabletrade.com/landscapes/south-west-mau-forest-kenya/

Job Description

• Participate in developing and implementing the Project result-based M&E plan to generate regular information related to the progress of the project implementation.
• Support during the farmer training ( under PDTC) in reviewing and compiling training reports, project progress reports, and evaluation reports.
• Participate in designing data collection tools, templates, and assist in regular data collection or generation processes.
• Assist in tracking the project's output and outcome level results periodically in close coordination with the project's implementing team.
• Support data collection efforts through surveys, interviews, focus group discussions, and other data collection methods.
• Contribute to the preparation of M&E reports, dashboards, and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.
• Assist in tracking project indicators, milestones, and targets to monitor progress and ensure compliance with project objectives and timelines.
• Work closely with the project team and relevant stakeholders for monitoring and evaluation of project interventions.
• Support the documentation of best practices, lessons learned, and success stories to inform decision-making and promote organizational learning.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the project manager.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Statistics, Economics, Data Science, Project Management, or any related field of study with at least sound knowledge in designing and implementing M&E-related tasks.
• Strong analytical skills and proficiency in data analysis software such as Excel, SPSS, KoboCollect
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills, independent judgment, and the ability to be flexible as the demands and priorities change.
• Detail-oriented and organized, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Prior experience or coursework in monitoring and evaluation, research methods, or data analysis is preferred.

Additional Information

• Contract Type:  Internship Contract
• Contract Duration: 6 months
• Expected Start Date: April 2024
• Duty Station: Kericho & Nakuru counties, Kenya with travels in-county