The Mkulima OnBoard platform is a national initiative developed to support the transparent and inclusive registration of sugarcane growers ahead of the Growers’ Representatives Elections to the Kenya Sugar Board. As part of its mission, Mkulima OnBoard is recruiting highly committed and capable Field Enumerators who will spearhead this registration exercise at grassroots level.
The role of Field Enumerators is critical in upholding the integrity and legitimacy of the sugar industry’s electoral process. Through meticulous grower verification, community engagement, and on-the-ground technical support, Field Enumerators will ensure that only bona fide farmers participate in the democratic selection of their representatives.
This article outlines all the necessary details regarding the position, including responsibilities, qualifications, competencies required, and how to apply. If you are passionate about transparency, community engagement, and have a keen eye for detail, this is your chance to make a meaningful contribution.
Overview of the Enumerator Role
The Field Enumerator position is a short-term, contract-based engagement aligned with the national sugar sector electoral exercise. Enumerators will be strategically deployed across sugarcane-growing regions in Kenya and will work under the coordination of Mkulima OnBoard officials to complete field-level grower registration tasks.
The role is ideal for individuals who are digitally literate, community-oriented, and have an uncompromised sense of ethics. While previous fieldwork experience is advantageous, the recruitment also welcomes committed first-time applicants with the necessary core qualifications.
Detailed Job Description: Field Enumerator
As a Field Enumerator, you will serve as a vital intermediary between sugarcane growers and the electoral registration framework, ensuring each grower is correctly registered, verified, and prepared for the upcoming elections.
Key Responsibilities
- Verification of Documentation
- Examine sugarcane growers’ documents such as national IDs, grower contracts, or association certificates to confirm legitimacy.
- Ensure that only bona fide (genuine and eligible) farmers are admitted into the registration database.
- Report any suspected irregularities immediately to your supervisor for appropriate action.
- Grower Registration
- Accurately register eligible sugarcane farmers at designated polling centers within assigned regions.
- Record personal and farming details using a digital tool on your mobile device.
- Assign growers to correct polling stations based on residential and farming zones.
- Data Accuracy and Correction
- Cross-check existing grower information for accuracy.
- Update incorrect entries such as location discrepancies, ID errors, or outdated contact details.
- Ensure the updated records align with the polling structure and data standards.
- Mapping to Polling Centers
- Allocate growers correctly to polling centers depending on geography and zone.
- Understand local boundaries and voting jurisdictions to avoid misallocations.
- Liaise with local stakeholders to resolve unclear or disputed assignments.
- Ethical Conduct
- Uphold high levels of transparency, neutrality, and confidentiality throughout the assignment.
- Avoid political bias or personal favoritism under all circumstances.
- Protect the privacy and security of grower data in line with electoral guidelines.
- Incident Reporting
- Promptly report unusual situations, disputed identities, or non-cooperative participants to your supervisor.
- Keep concise records of anomalies for audit or review purposes.
- Community Engagement
- Explain the registration process clearly to growers using both English and local languages.
- Offer assistance to less literate farmers to ensure no one is disenfranchised.
- Maintain a professional and respectful demeanor in all farmer interactions.
Qualifications and Requirements
To qualify for this role, applicants must meet the minimum criteria outlined below:
Educational Requirements
- Must possess at least a KCSE certificate with a grade of C- or higher.
- Additional certifications such as a Certificate, Diploma, or Degree in any professional field will be considered an added advantage.
Language Proficiency
- Fluency in both English and Kiswahili is mandatory.
- Knowledge of at least one local language (such as Dholuo, Luhya, Kalenjin, Ekegusii, or Maasai) will be a strong advantage, especially for assignments in rural zones.
Digital Literacy
- Must have basic proficiency in using digital data collection tools.
- Own an Android smartphone operating on version 9 or higher. The phone should be capable of supporting the data collection application.
Experience
- While prior experience in fieldwork is not compulsory, it is highly beneficial.
- Relevant experience may include: community mobilization, electoral assistance, survey work, agricultural extension services, or census/data collection initiatives.
Age
- All applicants must be at least 21 years old at the time of application.
Desired Competencies
- Integrity and Impartiality
- Strong moral compass; no political affiliations or favoritisms should influence your duties.
- Demonstrated trustworthiness and adherence to confidential procedures.
- Attention to Detail
- Ability to recognize small discrepancies in grower records and respond accordingly.
- Strong data-entry precision to avoid duplication or inaccuracies.
- Interpersonal Communication
- Respectful and clear communication with farmers and stakeholders.
- Able to calmly manage difficult conversations or non-cooperative participants.
- Organizational Skills
- Plan field visits efficiently to ensure no grower is missed.
- Prioritize assignments to meet day-to-day registration targets.
- Physical Endurance
- Capacity to walk long distances or traverse rugged terrain to reach rural polling centers.
- Readiness to work under harsh weather or difficult conditions without complaint.
- Problem-Solving Ability
- Independently handle minor field challenges such as late arrivals, network interruptions, or disoriented participants.
- Know when and how to escalate complex issues for centralized resolution.
Geographic and Community Preferences
- Enumerators who live within or near their assigned polling regions will be prioritized.
- Strong familiarity with local road networks, settlements, and sugarcane farming communities is highly desirable.
- Applicants who demonstrate an understanding of the electoral polling center structure in their county will gain an advantage during the selection process.
Screening and Selection Process
The recruitment will follow a merit-based, multistage process:
- Online Application Screening
- All applicants must complete the official application form
- Initial screening will assess academic qualifications, experience relevance, and location suitability.
- All applicants must complete the official application form
- Oral Interview
- Shortlisted candidates will undergo an interview to evaluate:
- Verbal communication skills
- Community engagement experience
- Ethical awareness and neutrality
- Shortlisted candidates will undergo an interview to evaluate:
- Practical Assessment
- Successful interviewees will be invited to complete practical field tasks such as:
- Registering a mock grower using a mobile device
- Identifying issues in a sample documentation scenario
- Successful interviewees will be invited to complete practical field tasks such as:
- Virtual Training Program
- All selected enumerators must attend and pass a virtual training session covering:
- Electoral code of conduct
- Grower eligibility criteria
- Polling center mapping
- Data collection procedures
- Digital security protocols
- Emergency escalation and field troubleshooting
- All selected enumerators must attend and pass a virtual training session covering:
Contractual Terms and Compensation
- Engagement Type: Short-term contractual basis tied to election timelines.
- Remuneration: A stipend of KES 1,500 per day of active fieldwork.
- Duration: Will depend on the schedule and duration of field deployment.
- Performance Conditions:
- Enumerators will be monitored throughout their engagement.
- Underperforming individuals or those violating the code of conduct may be replaced immediately.
How to Apply
The Mkulima OnBoard Enumerator recruitment drive offers an exceptional opportunity to be part of a landmark democratic initiative in the Kenyan agricultural sector. This is more than a short-term contract—it is a contribution to the voice and representation of thousands of sugarcane growers nationwide. By participating in this effort, you will help lay the foundation for stronger grower representation and industry reform.
If you meet the requirements, are passionate about community development, and are committed to ethical public service, we invite you to take the first step and express your interest through the official channel provided below.
