Name                           Elizabeth Kiff

Specialisms                  Rural livelihoods development. Community–based natural resource management. Project and programme design, management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

Nationality                  British                                     

Contact details                        Tel: 00 44 (0)1737 843579     Mobile : 00 44 (0)7773 205896

e-mail liz@kiff.orangehome.co.uk and lizkiff@yahoo.com  (travelling). www.theNRGroup.net

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PRINCIPAL EXPERTISE

·                     Over 20 years of progressively responsible experience of rural development, working towards sustainable development goals in Asia and Africa

·                     Policy and strategy development

·                     Programme and project management

·                     Monitoring and evaluation

·                     Community development and support to civil society

·                     Technical back-stopping and institutional development

·                     Development of extension and small business support systems

·                     Farmer supply chain analysis and development

·                     Participatory technology development

·                     Agricultural research and development

·                     Community forestry management and non-timber forest products

·                     Facilitation, teaching and training

·                     Proposal development, documentation and dissemination

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QUALIFICATIONS

1978 - 1982     University of Reading . BSc (Hons) Agricultural Botany , UK .

1988 - 1989     University of East Anglia ( School of Development Studies) MSc in Agricultural Research and Development, UK . 

2005 – 2011      Postgraduate diploma in Environmental strategy, Surrey University , UK .

FURTHER TRAINING

2009                Positive Action Leadership Training, National Police Improvement Agency , UK .

2008                Certificate in Coaching, Coaching Academy , UK .

2000                Medicinal Plants, Purdue University , USA

1999                Advanced Excel, Parity training, Holburn, London , UK .

1996                Management of Research and Development, Brunel Management Programme, UK .

1995                Environmental assessment & management, University of London , Wye College , UK .

1992                General Management for Specialists, Cranfield School of Management , UK .

1991                Multivariate analysis statistical training, Rothamsted Experimental Station, UK .

1988                Advanced Animal Husbandry. National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh , UK .

1987                Introductory course Supervisory Management, Merton Technical College , UK .

1983                Agroforestry systems and improved integrated farming systems for upland areas, Bansilan Rural Life Centre, Philippines .

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LANGUAGES

                                                Speaking         Reading            Writing

English (mother tongue)

French                                     Basic                Basic                Basic

Cebuano                                  Fair                  Basic                Basic

Nepali                                      Basic

OVERSEAS EXPERIENCE

2011                Afghanistan , Contextual Analysis to inform programming and country strategy for Concern Worldwide.

2011                Botswana , Team leader for final evaluation of the Environmental Support Programme, UNDP, Botswana . Informing the development of, and activities with in, the new UN Country Programme.

2011                Myanmar , Independent assessment mission for the UNDP Human Development Initiative. Evaluation of the integrated community development, primary health, education and water/ sanitation initiatives. Programme includes microfinance and HIV/AIDS prevention and care components.

2011                Bhutan , Ex-post evaluation for Medicinal Plants Project, phase II. Evaluation of the performance and impact of the project together with assessment of the sustainability of achievements and identification of opportunities for further support to the sector.

2010                 Indonesia , Project design mission for IFAD, Smallholder Livelihoods Development Project in Maluku and North Maluku . Responsible for structuring of community empowerment and prioritisation of marketing aspects within agricultural component.

2010                Nepal , Country Programme Evaluation for World Food Programme. Analysis of impact of support on community infrastructure development, refugees and populations affected by flood.

2009                Afghanistan , External evaluation of the integrated Development, Environment and Sustainability Programme, Takhar Province , joint Concern-EU project., 2006-2009.

2009                DFID-AsDB, Desk review of the Poverty Reduction Technical Assistance Fund (PRTF) and compilation of the programme completion report.

2009                Sudan , Country Programme Evaluation Workshop, discussion of findings and feeding into the Country Strategy Development process. Chief technical advisor.

2008                Nepal , Strategy development for new phase of Livelihoods and Forestry Project,  funded by DfID , Nepal

2008                DPR Korea , Upland Food Security Project interim evaluation for IFAD, responsible for agricultural and environmental protection components

2008                Sudan , Country programme review mission for IFAD. Responsible for evaluation of agricultural components and the analysis of relationship to agricultural sector, nationally.

2007                Pakistan , Country programme review mission for IFAD. Responsible for the evaluation of agricultural components and analysis of relationship to agricultural sector, nationally.

2007                Vietnam , Team leader for development of suitable farming systems for phase III of Quang Tri Rural Development Programme, two inputs over 7 weeks.

2007                Nepal , Country programme evaluation mission for DfID. Responsible for the evaluation of the livelihoods component, including agriculture, forestry, food security, rural development, roads and micro-enterprise development activities.

2007                Ghana , Design of Northern Region Growth Project as Farming Systems member of FAO team, acting for IFAD.

2006                India , Project assessment and pre-design mission for phase II of Madhya Pradesh Rural Livelihoods project, DFID. Prospects for non-timber forest products, sustainable production, processing and marketing.

2006                Indonesia , Project design mission for Rural Empowerment and Agricultural Development in Central Sulawesi , IFAD. Responsible for design of Sustainable Agriculture and Enterprise Development Components.

2006                Tajikistan , Mid-term evaluation of two joint EU/ Oxfam/ Novib livelihood projects in Khatlon Region. Evaluation of capacity building, advocacy and partnership development alongside support for income generation, development of village funds and food security initiatives.

2005                Ghana , Extension and Marketing specialist for end of project evaluations: Upper West Agricultural Development Project and Upper East Land Conservation and Smallholder Rehabilitation Project. Capacity and effectiveness of WUAs, animal upgrading schemes and support for privatised certified seed production and supply, IFAD.

2002-2005       India, Promoting livelihood initiatives for the poorest. Introduction of new crops, cultivation of medicinal plants, traditional variety production, support for processing and marketing. Farming systems strategy development for Western Orissa Rural Livelihoods Project, DfID. 

                       India , Support and strengthening of people’s organisations and development of rural livelihood systems. Introduction of new varieties and new crops, land development and small scale processing. Documentation of project findings. Member of core team for Karnataka Watershed Development Project (KAWAD), DfID.

2001-2003       India, Documentation and dissemination strategy development, research documentation, project overview documentation and on-going support to staff at all levels in documentation for BAIF Development Research Foundation (EU funded project).

                        India , Participative crop testing and selection, cost benefit and risk analysis for cultivation of newly introduced crops. Also addressing improved nutrient management and integrating joint forest management with in the farming systems for the Western India Rainfed Farming Systems Project (DfID funded project).

1997-2000             Ghana .  Won funding, developed research project and led team for integrated vegetable production and processing within dry-season farming systems.

1997-2001             Nepal .  Won funding, developed research project and led team for a joint government and NGO participative research project identifying improved strategies for fodder production and management in the mid-hills region.

1997-2000             Technical inputs into a study on the impact of community forestry initiatives in Nepal .

1996               Bhutan .  Mid-term review of the Cultivation of Medicinal Plants Project, EU.

1996               Nepal .  Development of an agroforestry research strategy for the Forest Research  and Survey Centre. Supervision of APO ’s research project.

1995               Zimbabwe . Farming Systems input into Soil and Water Conservation project.

1991 - 1993     Nepal.  Interdisciplinary Research Officer ODA Forestry Research Project

1990 - 1991     Nepal.   Extension Researcher, Lumle Agricultural Centre

1982 - 1986     Philippines.  Co-operative development and management (agricultural product marketing). Community-based Development Agency.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

2001 to date    Independent Management Consultant  (see above)

                        Sustainable natural resource planning, management and evaluation, within a rural livelihoods framework.

1997 to 2001   Principal Scientist with the Natural Resources Institute (internal promotion).

                        1996/2000 Led multicultural teams in the development and implementation of two research projects funded by the Department for International Development (DFID):

                        Improvement of on- and off-farm fodder management and production strategies in the hills of Nepal . Located in the mid-hills of Nepal , this project looked at ways to address fodder deficits within the context of intensifying farming systems and reduced off-farm fodder resources. The project had a strong institutional strengthening component, working with two collaborators, a national NGO (Nepal Agroforestry Foundation) who supports the development of local, village-based CBOs and the Government Department for Forest Research and Survey. Integrated Food Crop Systems Project, soil and water component, located in the Brong Ahafo Region, Ghana, looked at ways to introduce sedentary farming practices into a traditionally slash and burn system. The project worked closely with the extension service and farmers to conduct on-farm trials, trainings and cross-visits between farmers’ groups. Extension leaflets summarised practical findings and an accompanying extension manual now provides the basis for further dissemination by the MoA in other Regions.

                        Consultancies in Bhutan , Zimbabwe and Nepal (details above).

1995-1997       Senior scientist with the Natural Resources Institute (internal promotion). Research programme strategy development for Natural Resources Systems Programme. Responsibilities included organisation of programme development workshops both in UK and target countries, literature reviews, research commissioning, annual reports and monitoring missions.

1993-1995       Higher scientific officer with the Natural Resources Institute.

Deputy manager of the £1.2 million Agronomy and Cropping Systems Research Programme. Responsibilities included research commissioning, quarterly reports and budget management. Also undertook post-graduate course development, teaching and VSO training.  Published cover crop review and database (see publications).

1991 - 1993     Secondment ODA Agroforestry Research Officer with Government Forestry

                        Research Division Nepal .

                        Institutional strengthening of the National Forestry Research Organisation.  Planning and organisation of cross-disciplinary research programme.

                        Design and implementation of interdisciplinary research trials, including on-farm collaborative trials with NGO’s. Promoted and facilitated government-NGO collaboration.

1990 - 1991     ODA Extension Researcher Lumle Agricultural Centre , Nepal .

                        Contributed to devising the work programme for the new Extension Research Section. Research included survey to evaluate Lumle’s present extension activities and experimentation with different extension methods. Research had both a farming system and household approach.  Experience with rapid rural appraisal (RRA) techniques, and community group work through forest users’ committees. Organisation of national workshop on Extension Methodology.

1986 - 1988     Horticultural Manager, Deen City Farm.

Involved in all aspects of farm management, including the organisation and facilitation of school visits, animal husbandry and development of the farms’ allotments and gardens. Set up organic gardens, including the construction of green houses and polythene tunnels, establishment of cane fruit area and production of herbs and vegetables for sale. Liaised with a local school on a new GCSE horticultural course and ran practical classes for the thirteen and fourteen year old students. Encouraged local families to become involved in growing their own vegetables and initiated an allotment society. Responsibilities included interview and selection of staff, grant applications, progress reports and accounts.

1982 - 1986     British Voluntary Service Overseas

                        Staff member of the PaCOBDA, community based development agency, in Bukidnon, Mindanao , the Philippines . Introduction of co-operative marketing of maize and supply of dry goods led to reduced dependence on outside money lenders. Improved farming techniques (seed selection and organic techniques) and use of revolving loan credit systems helped increase farm productivity. Practical demonstrations of methods for soil erosion control led to the development of a separate programme of contour hedgerow planting for soil conservation, fodder production and green manuring.

SKILLS

                        Computer literacy:       Micro Soft Office (Word, Excel, Access, Power Point); Genstat; Dbase; Harvard Graphics; Minitab; SPSS.

                        Driving licence, Motorcycle licence and RAC training

ORGANISATION AFFILIATION

                        Member of Tropical Agricultural Association

                        Member of the Development Studies Association

                        Member of Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment

Member of theNRgroup  www.theNRGroup.net

REFERENCES:

Available on receipt of confirmation of position

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS:

Evaluation of DFID Country Programmes. Country study: Nepal   (2007) http://www.dfid.gov.uk/aboutdfid/performance/files/ev679.pdf

Kiff, E. (2005) Farmer Field Schools and Land Development and Support of Farm Livelihoods. Karnataka Watershed Development Briefing Notes, KAWAD Society, 250, 1^st Main, Defence colony, Indiranagar, Bangalore , India .

Kiff, E. Ed. (2005) Land development and Farm livelihoods; activities and findings from KAWAD, Karnataka Watershed Development Report 28, KAWAD Society, 250, 1^st Main, Defence colony, Indiranagar, Bangalore, India.

Kharel, R., Amatya, S. M., Kiff, E. and Regmi B. N. Eds.(2001).  Proceeding of the National Workshop on Improved Strategies for identifying and addressing fodder deficits in the mid-hills of Nepal .  September 5-6^th 2000 , Kathmandu , Nepal .  Department of Forest Research and Survey, Babar Mahal, Kathmandu , Nepal .

Kiff, E., Hendy, C. R. C., Amatya, S. M., Vickers, B., Chhetri, R., Kharel, R. and Basukala, R. (2000). Approaches to understanding livestock feed requirements and identifying ways to improve fodder supply involving farmer and community initiatives. In : Proceeding of the National Workshop on Improved Strategies for identifying and addressing fodder deficits in the mid-hills of Nepal .  September 5-6^th 2000 , Kathmandu , Nepal .

Kiff, E., O’Connell, N., Binney, K., Jackson, J., Awiti, S., Chan, M-K and Nelson, D.  2000. Extension manual. Improved Vegetable Production in the Forest-Savannah transition zone, Ghana : with special reference to the maintenance of soil fertility. Natural Resources Institute, Chatham , UK .

Kiff, E., Thorne, P.J., Pandit, B. H., Thomas, D. and Amatya, S.M. (1999) Livestock production systems and the development of fodder resources for the Mid-hills of Nepal.  Joint publication of the Natural Resources Institute, Department of Forest Research and Survey , Nepal and Nepal Agroforestry Foundation. Review, Chatham , UK : Natural Resources Institute.

Springate Baginski, O., Sousson, J. G., Dev,O.P., Yadav, N. P. and Kiff, E. (1998)  Community Forestry in Nepal : A first assessment of sustainability and impacts on common and private property resource management.  Working paper 1, Environment Centre, University of Leeds , Leeds .

Kiff, E. (1998)  Common Property issues, tenure and access rights in relation to land use management at the forest/agriculture interface, Research Advance No 3, NRSP, SYMO, Department for International Development..

Shepherd, G., Kiff, E. and Robertson, D. (1996) Importance of common property issues, tenure and access rights in relation to land use management and planning at the forest/agriculture interface.  Review and annotated bibliography, Chatham , UK : Natural Resources Institute.

Kiff, E. and Pound, B.  (1996)  Covercrops: a manual for field workers.  Chatham , UK : Natural Resources Institute.

Kiff, E., Turton, C., Tuladhar, J.K. and Baker R. (1995)  A review of literature relating to soil fertility in the hills of Nepal .  Joint NRI-LARC publication, Chatham , UK : Natural Resources Institute.

Amatya, S. M. and Kiff, E  (1994)  Client participation in forest research:  An introduction to the issues and preliminary guidelines for organisational linkages and joint trials.  FORESC Occasional Paper No. 2/94, Kathmandu , Nepal : Forest Research and Survey Centre.

Kiff, E and Amatya, S.M. (1994)  Early growth and production figures for Leucaena leucocephala grown on terrace risers.  Banko Janakari, 4 (2), Kathmandu , Nepal : Forestry Research and Survey Centre.

Kadayat, K.B., Kiff, E., Joshi, K.D. and Sthapit, B.R. (1991)  Extension implications of farmer participatory research.  LARC Seminar Paper No. 10/91, Pokhara , Nepal .

Kiff, E. ed. (1991)  Proceedings of the first Nepal National Extension -Research Seminar held at Lumle Regional Agricultural Research Centre, December 1990, Pokhara, Nepal.