Kenya - AgriFin Accelerate Data Utilization and Strategic Learning Intern at Mercy Corps

DATES OF INTERNSHIP: May – September 2020

HOURS PER WEEK: Full-Time (30-40 hours/week)

Note: Interns should not work over 40 hours/week.

INTERNS SUPERVISOR & CONTACT INFORMATION: Chief Impact Officer, AgriFin

FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR THE INTERNSHIP: $1500/month stipend

Mercy Corps Responsibilities

For the duration of this internship assignment the intern will receive:

• Housing in Nairobi
• Airfare to Kenya – roundtrip
• ISOS Med-Evac coverage
• In-country travel related to this internship
• Work space in Mercy Corps’ office
• Workstation with computer, internet, and phone access
• Access to Mercy Corps online tools
• All other tools, materials and communication requirements for this project to be undertaken
   

Intern Responsibilities

Intern will remain responsible for all costs associated with:

• Visa fees
• Personal laptop
• Medical insurance
• All other costs associated with this internship

Project Description

Mercy Corps is a leading global humanitarian and development organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.

The AgriFin Accelerate (AFA) program is a six year, USD 24.7 million program of Mercy Corps, supported by The MasterCard Foundation to Support activities in Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia.

The core problem AgriFin Accelerate seeks to address is the inclusion gap for smallholder farmers (SHF) who lack access to affordable, accessible, demand-driven financial products and services that drive higher productivity and income for farm families. The program is transitioning towards less implementation and focusing on measuring impact of the various engagements it has established

The AgriFin Digital Farmer Program (ADF) is $5 million initiative funded by the Gates Foundation to expand access to digitally-enabled financial and non-financial services for at least 1 million smallholders across in Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Nigeria by 2020.

AgriFin’s strategy on knowledge production, dissemination and utilization depends on utilizing the data generated by our partners to define product and service development. The data focuses largely on the supply side of information production - the data collection, reports, document generation - and much less on the demand size of dissemination and utilization. The challenge on the demand side is stimulating data use for decision-making, product and service design, and audience targeting and impact. High-quality research alone does not always lead to stakeholders taking action.

AgriFin program requires additional technical support on programming towards Big Data and Food security. This will include support on strategy in the areas climate resiliency and increasing service to women. This Internship sets to support core activities critical at this stage of the program.

Internship Objectives

• Participate in analyzing data to generate knowledge and dissemination activities.
• Develop technical experience in working on data driven technical programs in the areas of agriculture, technology, and financial inclusion in a developing country context.
• Develop writing skills in communicating analysis pieces on digital finance, financial inclusion, agriculture, and technology solutions.
• Increase knowledge of market systems development approaches to program implementation, particularly in the Kenya context, through on-the-ground observation and facilitation of qualitative and quantitative research.
• Management of program and research projects through their life cycle, as well as Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning.
• Through practical field experience and direct engagement with partners, gain a general understanding of the region’s dynamic social, political, economic, and cultural issues, their underlying causes, and Mercy Corps’ AgriFin approach to addressing these issues.

Deliverables

• Support and assist with creating project and research reports
• Learning outputs in the form of case studies and blog posts
   

Ideal Candidate Should Possess The Following Qualifications

• Currently enrolled or recent graduate (no more than 1 year) from an advanced program studying agriculture, finance, economic development, international development, communications, media or other relevant studies;
• Knowledge of best practices in Project management, research, M&E, data management analysis and utilization methods.
• Experience in drafting or supporting communication pieces;
• Strong writing and analytical skills are a must (a writing sample will be requested from the candidate);
• Previous field experience a plus;
• Knowledge of quantitative data analysis and database management a plus;
• Knowledge of digital finance, financial inclusion, agriculture, data dissemination and communications is an advantage.

Living Conditions

Nairobi is the capital city of Kenya and the biggest city in the country and one of the fastest growing cities in Africa. It is a global, cosmopolitan city with people from all walks of life who call it home. As a regional center, Nairobi is home to various international organizations. Likewise, Nairobi is known as the Silicon Savannah referring to the burgeoning high tech scene which has driven an innovation economy marked by the widespread adoption of digital payments known as mPesa.

Nairobi is called the green city in the sun as it sit a few kilometers from the equator and receives equal amount of sunshine all year round. Nairobi is a Maasai name that means a place of cool water as it has several rivers that cut across it as it flows from the upper highland of Kiambu, and Ngong hills. Nairobi sits at 1795m (5889 feet) above sea level making one of the highest capital in the world. Nairobi lies in the south of Kenya (1.2921° S and 36.8219° E).

One of the features that makes the city great is the vast variety of activities available, from a world class game park within its municipal boundaries, to museums, restaurants, and nightlife. Not far outside the city are opportunities for hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, and more. The Indian Ocean coast is a short and affordable flight from Nairobi, where world-class beaches and resorts are available.

Mercy Corps interns staff represent the agency both during and outside of work hours and are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Mercy Corps Diversity Statement

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.