Name Elizabeth Kiff
Specialisms Rural livelihoods development. Community–based natural resource management. Project and programme design, management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
Nationality British Date of Birth 26:02:60
Contact details Tel: 00 44 (0)1737 843579 Mobile: 00 44 (0)7773 205896
e-mail and (travelling). www.theNRGroup.net
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PRINCIPAL EXPERTISE
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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.
FURTHER TRAINING
2005 Environmental strategy, Surrey University, 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 and 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
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 Farming Systems Consultant (see above)
Sustainable natural resource planning and management, 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 experimental 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
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
REFEREES:
Ms E Mc Veigh Mr P A Rochon
Business Development Manager Senior Evaluation Officer
Natural Resources International Ltd. International Fund for Agricultural Development
Park House, Bradbourne lane, Office of Evaluation
Aylesford, KENT. ME20 6SN 44, Via Paulo di Dono
Tel: 00 44 (0)1732 878685 00142 Rome, Italy
e.mcveigh@nrint.co.uk Tel. 00 39 06 5459 2433
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, 1st 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, 1st 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 5-6th 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 5-6th 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.
Dougill, A. J., Sousson, J. G., Kiff, E., Springate Baginski, O., Yadav, N. P. Dev,O.P. (forthcoming) Impacts of community forestry on farming system sustainability in the middle hills of Nepal. Land Degradation and Rehabilitation (in Press)
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.