Baseline Study for the Methane Reduction Project in Kenya’s Livestock Sector Full Time NEW

1. Introduction

Solidaridad Network is an international solution-oriented civil society organization working through eight regional expertise centers to transform markets to make them more sustainable and inclusive. Our eight regional expertise centers include Asia, Eastern and Central Africa, Europe, Latin America, North America, Southern Africa, South America, West Africa, and our global Secretariat in the Netherlands. Solidaridad Eastern and Central Africa, one of the regional centers, is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, with country offices and programs in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Uganda. We bring together supply chain players and engage them with innovative solutions to improve production, ensuring the transition to a sustainable and inclusive economy that maximizes the benefit for all. We facilitate strengthening of local capacity in developing countries, support the creation of enabling environments for economies to thrive, and improve market access.

The Methane Reduction Project is funded under the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) and implemented by Solidaridad ECA in collaboration with the State Department for Livestock Development (SDLD), Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development. The project aims to develop and facilitate the endorsement of a National Methane Reduction Implementation Strategy for the Livestock Sub-sector, accompanied by demonstration projects for methane mitigation technologies in dairy farming systems.

2. Background

The livestock sector is a major source of methane emissions in Kenya, primarily through enteric fermentation and manure management. The Project seeks to reduce methane emissions from the dairy sub-sector by piloting mitigation practices, and developing and facilitating the endorsement of a national methane reduction implementation strategy and strengthening existing Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) frameworks.

The project is being implemented in Nakuru and Nyandarua Counties targeting 3000 dairy smallholder farmers and includes activities such as mapping dairy farmers, establishing demonstration farms, conducting gender-sensitive trainings, and engaging stakeholders to endorse and adopt a national methane reduction strategy and an improved MRV framework respectively.

The baseline study will establish benchmarks for methane emissions, current dairy management practices, existing technologies and institutional and farm level capacity ahead of project implementation. The study guides implementation targets, informs monitoring, and supports impact assessment at project completion.

3. Objectives of the Baseline Study

The overall objective of the baseline study is to to understand current status of farm systems in dairy and methods being practiced to mitigate methane in the selected counties to inform/ support the analysis of the outcomes on; a) the relationship between production and GHG emission with a focus on methane intensity b) existing capacity gaps and opportunities in the value chain approach and c) recommended interventions to inform a cost benefit analysis of improved methane mitigation technologies and practices thereby feeding into a national methane reduction strategy and MRV framework

Specific objectives include:

• Assessing baseline methane emissions in Nakuru and Nyandarua dairy farms.
• Mapping dairy production systems, practices, and technologies currently in use.
• Assessing farmers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices on methane mitigation, climate-smart livestock management, and renewable energy adoption.
• Identifying socio-economic and gender dimensions influencing methane reduction adoption.
• Establishing benchmarks for project outcomes and indicators related to training, gender inclusion, and MRV framework development.

4. Scope of Work

The selected consultant or firm will conduct the baseline study across Nakuru and Nyandarua Counties. The study will cover dairy value chain actors, including farmers, cooperatives, extension officers, and other relevant stakeholders.

Key tasks include:

1. Conduct a desk review of relevant project documents, policies, and research on livestock methane reduction and climate-smart agriculture in Kenya.
2. Develop and validate the baseline study methodology, sampling design, and data collection tools.
3. Conduct field data collection among targeted stakeholders and beneficiaries.
4. Analyze quantitative and qualitative data to establish baseline indicators.
5. Produce a comprehensive baseline report with recommendations for monitoring and impact assessment.
6. Carry out Financial and economic analysis of the recommended /Proposed Methane Mitigation strategies.

5. Methodology

The consultant is expected to employ a mixed-methods approach, integrating both qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques. These will include household surveys among dairy farmers. – Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with government officials, dairy cooperatives, and technical partners. – Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with youth, women, and farmer groups. Direct measurements and secondary data analysis on methane emission levels (as feasible). Gender analysis to assess inclusion in climate action and technology adoption.

An Inception Report will be prepared within five (5) working days after contracting, detailing the methodology, sampling framework, data tools, and work plan for approval by Solidaridad.

6. Expected Deliverables

The consultant will deliver the following:

1. Inception report (including detailed methodology and work plan).
2. Data collection tools and pre-testing report.
3. Field data sets (raw and cleaned data).
4. Draft baseline report for review by Solidaridad and partners.
5. Final baseline report incorporating feedback from stakeholders.
6. PowerPoint presentation of key findings for validation.

7. Consultant Qualifications

Eligible firms or individual consultants must have:

1. Advanced degree in Agriculture, Environmental Science, Livestock production, Climate Change, or related fields.
2. Proven experience in livestock value chain assessments or methane emission studies.
3. Demonstrated experience in baseline and impact evaluations using mixed methods.
4. Strong analytical and report-writing skills.
5. Experience working with the State Department for Livestock Development (SDLD), county governments and communities in Kenya.

8. Expected Outputs and Deliverables

The selected consultant will be expected to prepare and submit the following:

• Proposal for the evaluation to be submitted to Solidaridad before the deadline as stated below. The proposal should contain the methodology (including data collection tools, sampling, sample size, and a detailed end-line evaluation matrix), detailed planning of activities, and the budget
• Revised proposal based on the inception meeting, within five (5) working days after the inception meeting
• Inception report
• Developed tools (to be reviewed by the PMEL and project management team)
• Draft evaluation report (to be reviewed by the PMEL and project management team).
• Final evaluation report: comprehensive( to include all outcome areas) and well-organized, complete with standard reporting formats. The report should not be more than 30 pages within 30 days of the assignment. (Outline of the report to be shared with the successful consultant)
• A presentation synthesizing the main findings of the study for validation with the project team and other stakeholders, as agreed with the project team, a recommended roadmap and implementation plan.
• Data files including quantitative data sets (raw and refined products) and transcripts of qualitative data in an easy-to-read format (maintaining naming conventions and labeling for use by Solidaridad and key stakeholders).

1. Technical Support

The successful consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager & Regional PMEL and will receive technical support from the Project Officer and Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Officer. The Project Officer will facilitate the process by providing relevant information and making the necessary linkages to project beneficiaries and stakeholders at the sub-county and community levels.

1. Consultancy Period

The overall time frame of the survey will be 30 days (including Saturdays), which will include inception meetings, finalizing the survey methodology, training of enumerators, data collection, data analysis, report writing, and presenting findings of the survey.

Activity and Deadline

1. Interested parties should submit a Technical and Financial proposal (Budget proposals should include logistics costs (transport, communications, meals, and accommodation) – 6th November 2025, 5:00 pm (EAT)
2. Decision on the selected consultant – only selected candidates will be contacted –14th November 2025
3. Signing of Contract – 18th November 2025
4. Inception report and meeting (in-person) – 18th November 2025
5. Field Work – 5th December 2025
6. Draft report submitted – 12th December 2025
7. Validation meeting and final report (in-person) – 18th December 2025

Tagged as: Kenya, Solidaridad East & Central Africa