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Dairy Research & Extension Intern at Kisii Smart Community
Kisii Smart Community
October 6, 2026
Full-time
On-site
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.
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.