Consultancy on Policy Gap Analysis on Manure Management for Kenya

Project Name: Circularity of Nutrient in Agro-ecosystems and Co-benefits on animal and human Health (CIRNA) project

Project Summary: The CIRNA project addresses the critical role of livestock manure in smallholder farming systems in East Africa. Smallholder farmers face challenges due to nutrient limitations, leading to low crop productivity and high yield gaps. Inorganic fertilizers are often unaffordable while livestock manure can be a valuable resource for improving soil fertility. However, poor manure management leads to nutrient loss, environmental degradation and health risks. The project aims to improve manure management practices, enhancing soil fertility, crop yields and human and animal health while reducing environmental impacts. Recognizing these issues, the CIRNA project seeks to address the gaps in knowledge and practice related to manure management.

Time Scope: 3 months, full time (21 days x 3 months = 63 days)

Subject Scope: Policy review and policy gap analysis on interventions, legal and institutional framework for relevant sectors in respect to manure management - agriculture, environment, energy and health

Time frame: 15th July – 15th October, 2025

Tasks:

1. Review of governmental responsibilities for, activities and (N)GO institutional commitments to good (safe, efficient, sustainable) manure management.
2. Identification and analysis of relevant polices and legal frameworks, agricultural curricula, and extension services. Relevant policies include (and are not limited to) agricultural and land use policies, health, environmental (incl. climate) policies, national development plans, green growth plans, international conventions and budgets.
3. The policy analysis shall be guided by the following key questions:
   • How (context, importance, linkages to other subjects, extent) is good manure management respectively described in Kenyan policies and legal frameworks?
   • What is the mandate and role of the different institutions regarding good manure management, as stipulated in the policy, legal and institutional framework?
   • Which institutions are mandated to implement interventions for advancing sustainable manure management, and associated risks (environment and health) management?
   • To what extent do policies and or legal documents articulate gender and inclusion as linked to good manure management? (use of evaluation framework for inclusive policies and interventions)
   • What responsive and targeted policy recommendations should be considered for promoting sustainable manure management, and associated risks (environment and health) management at different scales?
4. Conduct key informant interviews in Nairobi with (N)GO representatives, as well as in Embu, Nandi and Siaya county with farmers, agricultural training institutions, environmental management agencies (e.g. NEMA), research agencies / institutions (e.g. KALRO), extension agents, national and county government officials and private sector representatives (e.g. producers of organic fertilizer? Organic waste recyclers?) on policies and practice issues linked to crop nutrient management through organic resources and soil amendments, manure, and associated environment (e.g. GHG emissions, nitrate leaching and others) and health risks management in Kenya. The key informant interviews shall be guided by the following key questions:
   • What are the causes/barriers for effective implementation and delivery of the policy commitments/targets?
   • What are the emerging issues (i.e. challenges and opportunities) from implementation of strategies for delivery of desired policy outcomes on manure management, and associated environment and health risks management?
   • What responsive and targeted policy recommendations should be considered for promoting sustainable manure management, and associated risks (environment and health) management at different scales?
5. Propose responsive and targeted recommendations for advancing sustainable manure management in policies, and associated environment and health risks management at different scales i.e. national, landscape (agro-ecological zones), farm and community levels.

Deliverables:

1. Short summary (2 Page Report) of predominant manure management practices by smallholder farmers in Kenya and key concerns to be addressed (TOPICAL PROBLEM STATEMENT)
2. Inception report, describing the methodologies and tools – templates to be provided by project team, consultant to add suggestions to be approved by project team. Annex incl. list of initial key informants, first overview of policies to be provided by the consultant
3. Policy gap analysis tool i.e. a word document describing the methods for data collection and analysis (based on the methodological template for project work Uganda).
4. Raw data: excel sheet with clearly structured meta-data sheet, policy overview, detailed description and evaluation of the policies - template to be provided by project team
5. Policy Report (Word document. 10 pages) and PowerPoint: clear and aesthetic structure of institutional set up in Kenya around manure management.
6. Policy brief (2 pages) containing:
   • Policy statements on sustainable manure management, and associated environment and health risks management;
   • Policy targets in respect to sustainable manure management, and associated environment and health risks management;
   • Strategies for advancing policies and interventions on sustainable manure management, and associated environment and health risks management;
   • Gaps & Overlaps in the policies and legal framework, institution and implementation;
   • Priority list and what needs to be addressed first;
   • Key emerging issues (challenges and opportunities);
   • Responsive and targeted recommendations for policy and practice change for advancing sustainable manure management, and associated risks (environment and health) management at different scales.

How to apply

Submission of Expression of Interest

Submit a detailed expression of interest with budget, proposal and contact persons of the expression of interest to recruitment@vsfg.org by 10th July, 2025 CoB. Please find the complete terms of references (ToR) and how to apply from the link: https://www.vsfg.org/jobs-career/ on our VSF Germany website.