GREEN EMPLOYMENT IN AGRICULTURE PROGRAMME (GEAP) PROGRAMME DATA QUALITY ASSESSMENT EXERCISE Full Time

TERMS OF REFERENCE

ELIGIBLE TO KENYAN FIRMS ONLY

BIDS FROM INDIVIDUALS WILL BE REJECTED

Background Information about MESPT

Micro-Enterprises Support Programme Trust (MESPT) is a Kenyan development organization established in 2002. MESPT’s overall objective is to promote economic growth, employment creation and poverty alleviation through enterprise development. This is achieved predominantly through support to the development of agricultural value chains whilst embracing and promoting the green growth and climate change agenda. Through its vision of building a more Prosperous Society, MESPT facilitates increased commercialization, decent employment, and green transformation through targeted interventions in the selected value chains. The Trust is a multi-donor entity jointly founded by the Government of Kenya and the European Union who later relinquished their position to the Royal Danish Embassy in Kenya, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark (DANIDA). To learn more about MESPT, please visit www.mespt.org.

Programme Background

The Green Employment in Agriculture Programme (GEAP); is a DANIDA funded programme whose main objective is to accelerate decent employment creation in MSMEs and improved competitiveness of targeted value chains in agriculture, which contribute, to transforming the economy towards greener and more inclusive growth. The programme interventions are being implemented in 4 output areas namely: – 1) Market access and MSME development, 2) improved access to green and Agri-financing, 3) Improved food safety and increased agricultural productivity and 4) Green transformation. Under these output areas, MESPT activities will contribute towards i) increased farmer and MSME capacity for aggregation, storage, value addition and market Linkages ii) increased awareness and access for financial services for the value chain actors iii) enhanced knowledge & competences on food safety and good agricultural practices (GAP) and iv) increased awareness and commercialization of identified innovative green technologies.

Programme geographical coverage and target beneficiaries/ key partners

The programme is being implemented in 12 counties namely Makueni, Machakos, Kilifi, Kwale, Nyandarua, Nakuru, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Bungoma, Kakamega, Siaya and Kisii. Across the 12 counties, the programme is facilitating a total 11 value chains with an average of 2-3 value chains per county. Programme target beneficiaries and key partners include: – Smallholder farmers organized in Farmers producers’ groups/ cooperatives, Agri-enterprises, business service providers, Green Technologies providers, financial institutions (FIs), County and National Government relevant line ministries, Regulatory/competent Authorities and other relevant stakeholders as per their engagement in the target value chains in respective counties.

The overall objective for undertaking Data Quality Assessment Exercise

The overall objective of conducting a data quality assessment for GEAP is to assess the quality of data collected, effectiveness of the data collection and management processes against the programme data and reporting requirements. Ultimately the data quality assessment will seek to identify gaps and inefficiencies in the data management processes and provide actionable recommendations on areas for improvement both in the data management processes, measurement and reporting of programme performance for enhanced reliability and accuracy of the programme data in line with programme requirements and sector best practices.

Specific objectives

1. To assess the quality of the data collected by GEAP focusing on accuracy, consistency, completeness, timeliness, and reliability.
2. To assess the data collection processes and tools currently in use for their effectiveness, efficiency, and suitability for the program’s data and reporting needs.
3. To assess the adequacy of MEAL policy guidelines on data quality management, including the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders involved in data collection, data analysis and data management
4. To identify any gaps, issues, or inconsistencies in the data collection and management processes, policy guidelines, tools and practices.

To provide actionable recommendations for improving data quality management, policy guidelines, tools and practices to ensure compliance and alignment with industry best practices on data quality management.

Duration of the Assignment

The assignment will begin with an inception meeting and conclude with a debriefing meeting with the programme management team. In overall the exercise is expected to take a maximum 20 working days from the date of signing the contract spread over 2 months.

Qualifications and competencies of the proposed Team

The proposed team should have diverse mix of qualifications. This include but not limited to: –

1. Lead Consultant

• Masters’ university degree in statistics, Monitoring & Evaluation, data science, Management information Systems or relevant social sciences such as economics and development studies.
• Additional certifications in Monitoring & Evaluation, Quality Assurance, and/or Data Management are highly desirable.
• Over 10 years’ experience in development and implementing monitoring and evaluation systems for large programmes implemented by not-for-profit organizations.
• Proven 5 years professional experience in conducting data quality assessments and/ or audits.
• Demonstrated expertise in designing and evaluating data management systems, digital data collection platforms and data quality frameworks.
• Proficiency in data management and analysis software
• Strong Knowledge in international data quality standards, ethical data practices and dataprotectionlaws.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with great attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent communication, presentation and report writing skills.
• Knowledge and experience of the DANIDA funded programme will be an added advantage.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.

1. Associate Consultants

• Bachelor’s degree in applied statistics, Monitoring & Evaluation, development studies, data science, information Systems or relevant social sciences.
• Over 5 years’ experience in development and implementing monitoring and evaluation systems for not-for-profit organizations programmes/ projects.
• At least 3 years professional experience in conducting data quality assessments.
• Proven experience in the design and implementation of data quality frameworks.
• Proficiency in digital data collection platforms.
• Knowledge in international data quality standards, ethical data practices and dataprotectionlaws.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with great attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent communication, presentation and report writing skills

Tagged as: Kenya, Micro Enterprises Support Programme Trust