Dairy Research & Extension Intern

RESPONSIBILITIES

Field Data Collection

• Conduct farmer surveys and collect accurate farm, herd, milk production, feeding, animal health and management data using approved field protocols and digital tools.

Data Quality, Management & Analysis

• Ensure data is complete, accurate and securely managed, maintain farmer tracking records, and support basic data cleaning, analysis and reporting.

Farmer Engagement & Extension Support

• Engage farmers in Kiswahili/local language, obtain informed consent, support extension activities, and document and escalate farmer feedback and concerns.

Baseline Assessments, Feed Audits & Dairy Value Chain Support

• Support baseline assessments, feed and forage audits, sample collection and animal health observations, while linking farmer data with milk production records to monitor progress toward the 10 L/cow/day target.

Reporting & Coordination

• Coordinate field activities with hub and programme teams, participate in programme meetings and training, and provide regular field reports and learning updates.

Learning & Professional Development

• Complete required training and induction, contribute to programme learning, and prepare an end-of-internship report highlighting field lessons, data gaps and recommendations.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science / Animal Production, Agricultural Education and Extension, or Statistics (including Applied or Agricultural Statistics) from a recognised institution.
• Fresh or recent graduate: completed studies within the last 2 years.
• Excellent spoken and written English and Kiswahili.
• Fluency in Kalenjin (Kipsigis) or Maa (Maasai) is a strong advantage.
• Confident using a smartphone for data collection and Excel or Google Sheets for data entry.
• Ability and willingness to travel daily for field work on farms and milk routes.

Added advantage

• Experience with ODK, KoboToolbox, SurveyCTO or a similar mobile data tool, including class projects or attachment.
• Industrial attachment or field work with dairy farmers, cooperatives, extension services or a research survey.
• For Statistics graduates: working knowledge of R, SPSS, Stata or Python for data cleaning and analysis.
• For Animal Science and Extension graduates: basic understanding of dairy nutrition, feeding and herd management.
• Resident in, or willing to relocate to, Sotik, Bomet, Kilgoris or Kisii areas.

Technical competencies

• Accurate mobile data collection and basic data cleaning.
• Understanding of smallholder dairy systems: feeding, fodder, milk hygiene and record keeping.
• Basic descriptive statistics and presenting data in tables and charts.
• Proficiency in MS Office or Google Workspace.
• Awareness of climate-smart agriculture and livestock emissions is a plus.

Core Competencies

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a farmer-centric approach.
• Accuracy and integrity: records what is said and measured, never estimates to fill a form.
• Respect for informed consent and confidentiality of farmer data; never promises farmers carbon payments, feed subsidies or other benefits the programme has not confirmed.
• Ability to work in field settings and multi-disciplinary teams.
• Detail-oriented, organised and punctual.
• Eagerness to learn and take feedback.
• Commitment to gender inclusion and community development.