Abigael Rita

MWAKINA RITA ABIGAEL • - •-• https://www.linkedin.com/in/amwakina SUMMARY Detail-oriented researcher with strong background in Environmental Studies supported by field research and professional work experience in the agricultural sector. Team player with expertise in data collection, confidential document control and problem-solving to complete projects on time. Passionate about increasing knowledge to drive growth and needed improvements in the fields of agriculture and food security, forestry as well as water and sanitation. EDUCATION Kenya Institute of Management, Nairobi, Kenya Project Monitoring and Evaluation • Certified August, 2017 Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya Bachelor of Environmental Studies - Data Networks Institute, Mombasa, Kenya Computer applications • Certified December, 2012 Bunyore Girls’ High School, Maseno, Kenya Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education - SKILLS Data Collection: Registration, Questionnaires, Focused Group Discussions, Interviews, Direct Observations, Reporting, confidentiality Software: MS Office, MS Project, Open Data Kit, SurveyCTO, SPSS Environmental Management: Environmental Impact Assessment Languages: English, Kiswahili Competencies: Excellent communication skills, Organization, Teamwork, ResultsOriented, Responsibility EXPERIENCE MPE Resorts Kitengela Administrative assistant, Present Responsibilities Auditing and digitizing all receipts CIMMYT/Agri-Food Economics Africa Enumerator, 2019 Responsibilities   2 week survey on Maize seed variety stocked by Agrovets in 5 counties Reached out to 70 farmers to find out what variety of maize seed they purchased and their preferences Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organization Enumerator, 2018 Responsibilities    7 day follow-up survey on adoption of Banana and Tomato technologies in Taveta Sub county Reached out to 36 farmers who had successfully adopted the technology Brought to the attention of my supervisor the 2 major issues that were negatively affecting adoption of these technologies Agri-Food Economics Africa, Mwala Subcounty, Machakos Enumerator, 2018 Research was to follow-up on IFPRI project on Satellite Technologies, Innovative and Smart Financing for Food Security Project which aims to build resilience and increase agricultural productivity by innovative financing, through implementation of credits (in conjunction with Equity Bank) Responsibilities:    Participated in a 30-day midline survey that reached out to 225 households of the 225 targeted. Convinced 10+ respondents to allow me to carry out the interview Identified one issue that hindered the uptake of financial credits by farmers KALRO-Feed the Future Disease Impact Assessment Baseline Survey, Taita/Taveta Enumerator, 2018 Responsibilities:  Team leader: Mobilized a group of 5 to the research site and maintained daily member register  Participated in data collection for 8 days on diseases affecting dairy cows and their socio-economic effects on 25 households. A 30-minute questionnaire was administered per household using ODK collect.  Reached out to 25 households and identified the major disease affecting dairy cows in specific subcounties KALRO-FAO-USAID Productivity and Profitability Baseline Survey, Taita/Taveta Enumerator, 2017 Responsibilities:  Collected data for 8 days from farmers who practiced irrigation.  Reached out to 30 households who practice irrigation and highlighted issues as well as best practices in farming techniques, crop diversification, and household nutrition attainment KALRO-USAID FtF Staple Crop Impact Assessment Household Survey, Machakos Enumerator, 2017 Responsibilities:  Collected data for 8 days on the impact of staple crop variety (maize and cowpea) on households, and household nutrition.  Reached out to 25 households and found out the major maize and cowpea variety adopted, and appeared to be favorable to the farmers, and compare the performance of modern and traditional seed varieties’ susceptibility to pests and diseases and post-harvest losses Aimi Ma Kilungu Limited, Makueni Field Officer, 2017 Responsibilities:  Managed to carry out Environmental Audit on a 3000-acre ranch at Kilungu, and compiled a report. Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, Mombasa, Kenya Carried out my university attachment for 3 months Student trainee, 2014 Responsibilities:  Led a 5-member Focused Group Discussion that resulted in identification of 5 major benefits and threats to mangrove conservation  Monitored mangrove nursery at Mwache rehabilitation site that saw the proper development of 300 mangrove seedlings  Collected sea grass, extracted soil sediment from 3 mangrove forests for lab analysis  Assisted in cleaning aquariums and in identification of phytoplankton and zooplankton at the lab that helped the staff in classification of organisms National Environment Management Authority, Mombasa, Kenya Volunteer, 2012 Volunteered for 3 months at the EIA and the Compliance and Enforcement departments Responsibilities:  Reviewed 20+ EIA/EA reports which saw the reduction in the number of pending reports that needed to be cleared. Conducted 5 site inspections , attended 2 workshops and forums REFEREES Mr. Kengo Danda Agricultural Economist, KALRO Mtwapa -- Mr. Fred Nambisia County Director of Environment, NEMA, Kitui -- Dr. Simon Chege Kimenju Agri-Food Economics Africa -- Dr. Ezekiel Ndunda (PhD) Lecturer, Kenyatta University --