More About IAO

ABOUT US
Information Africa Organization (IAO) was registered in September 2009 in Nairobi Kenya. It aims at enabling access and use of knowledge and information through knowledge services (Knowledge Management, Archives & Records Management, Libraries & Resource Centres) for improved livelihoods. Information Africa Organization is accredited as an observer to the Governing Body of United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment). Our main objective is to build capacity of youths in Information & Communication Technologies and Knowledge Management to enable them improve their livelihoods.
At IAO we undertake the role of disseminating information related to:
• Environmental Science and Climate change
• Emerging trends in Information Management
• Peace building and Conflict ResolutionKnowledge Management <br>

Specific Objectives
Establishing community-based knowledge management centers, to enable citizens to find and share the information they require. Of particular importance will be additional community reference and information services for agriculture, healthcare, business management, and higher education
Establishing libraries (or for communities with libraries already in place, review and identify how library services for future needs can be considered and implemented)
Implement Library Automation software’s and Institutional
Repositories 

Developing information literacy programs, particularly for the education of young people in computer-based technologies, to aid them in their career planning and job search activities
Designing and implement knowledge-sharing platforms, including repackaging and the dissemination of information and shared knowledge to specific and targeted user groups.
Records and archival management- organizing records, data capture, record disposal and rearrangement for ease of access, use and reuse.
We have the know-how to not only solve today’s problems, but we provide strategies that will keep you balanced and ready to deal with issues that might arise in the future. Choose all of our Services or just the ones that you feel meet your individual organization’s needs. Whatever services you choose – you can rest assured that IAO will deliver.

 

CONFERENCES
WORKSHOPS PARTNERSHIPS
SETTING UP RESOURCE CENTRES

CONFERENCES
1ST Regional Conference on Knowledge Management (RCKM), 18- 20
November 2015, Boma hotel- Nairobi Kenya
The conference themed Knowledge Management and Innovation: Transforming Africa through knowledge attracted 15 papers with about 30 participants from Namibia, South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya among others. The 1st of the annual conference was organized by Information Africa Organization.

WORKSHOPS
Knowledge Management/Knowledge Services Workshop for Knowledge
Workers, Umma University, Kajiado campus (25-26 August 2015)
The in-house two days tailored was organized by IAO in collaboration SMR international. Modules covered were Knowledge Management and Knowledge Services fundamentals for Information professionals; Conducting the Knowledge Audit: Identifying Information and Knowledge Needs; Developing the Knowledge Strategy using the findings of the Knowledge Audit to make your Plans and; Building the Knowledge Culture: establishing the Organization’s Intellectual Capital as its primary assets.

Knowledge Management/Knowledge Services Workshop for Knowledge
Workers series of Workshops (July 2014- Date )
IAO In collaboration with SMR International has trained participants on Knowledge Management/ Knowledge Services from the following institutions: Moi University, United States International University, Kenya Marine and Fisheries (KEFRI) , Mwalimu SACCO, Egerton University, Eldoret Polytechnic, Kisii University- Eldoret Campus, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), Kenya Forestry and Research Institute (KEFRI), Kenya Power & Lighting Company (KPLC), Industrial and Commercial Development Corporation (ICDC), World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), University of Eldoret, O’llesso Technical Institute and Capital Market Authority (CMA), Youth Fund, Kenya Bureau of Standards and Mombasa county among others.
Modules covered were Knowledge Management and Knowledge Services fundamentals for Information professionals; Conducting the Knowledge Audit: Identifying Information and Knowledge Needs; Developing the Knowledge Strategy using the findings of the Knowledge Audit to make your Plans and; Building the Knowledge Culture: establishing the Organization’s Intellectual Capital as its primary assets.

PARTNERSHIPS
Information Africa Organization, World Health Organization (WHO) /Evidence Informed Policy Network (EVIPNet) and Institute of development Studies (IDS), Nairobi Kenya, April 22- 26 2013
Workshop title: Pedagogy of trainers in evidence brief for policy and policy communication with stakeholders
The Training of Trainers (ToT) in evidence informed policy making was hosted in Nairobi with the participation and support of Information Africa Organization and facilitated by EVIPNet, Institute of development Studies and WHO. The closing ceremony was done by Information Africa organization represented by The Honorary Consul of the Republic of Mauritus, Charles P. Kutwa. 12 participants form EVIPNet country teams (Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Senegal) were trained to become trainers in their respective country with learner centered pedagogy approach.

Information Africa Organization (IAO) and International Network for the Availability of Scientific Information (INASP), Nairobi, Kenya 26th – 30th of March 2012.
Workshop title: Science Communication training workshop.
IAO organized logistics for INASP’s Science Communication training workshop. The workshop took place from the 26th – 30th of March 2012. The meeting brought together science journalists and communicators from various organizations across Africa with a strong background in the scientific method and communication.
Information Africa Organization, World Health Organization/Evidence Informed Policy Network and Institute of development Studies, Nairobi Kenya,21st- 25th March 2011
Workshop title: Health Evidence policy briefs workshop for Eastern & South African
Parliamentary Staff
The workshop was organized under the coordination of Information Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications (INASP), NGO in partnership with Information Africa Organization, NGO and World Health Organization/Evidence Informed Policy Network. The 22 participants (from Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Kenya, Swaziland, and Tanzania) represented INASP, IAO, WHO/EVIPNet and Eastern and South Africa Parliamentary Staff.

 

SETTING UP RESOURCE CENTRES
Online and physical resource centre at Uganda National Farmers Federation
(UNFFE) November 2015
Setting up UNFFE resource centre -sorting out information resources as per format and advising on physical layout of the resource centre that included furniture, equipment and stationary. Advised on domain name or a public Internet Protocol.
Installation of KOHA, an integrated library system. The system is used to capture bibliographic details of information resources for ease of access and use. Registration of UNFEE staff as library users on Koha system.

Online and physical resource centre at Eastern Africa Farmers Federation (EAFF)
July – August 2015
Setting up EAFF resource centre -sorting out information resources as per format and advising on physical layout of the resource centre that included furniture, equipment and stationary. Advised on domain name or a public Internet Protocol.
Installation of KOHA, an integrated library system. The system is used to capture bibliographic details of information resources for ease of access and use. Registration of EAFF staff as library users on Koha system.
Installation of Vufind, a federated library system that is used to search more than one library
databases for libraries with a commonality.
Design of resource center promotional materials (pull up banner, brochures and flyers)
Configuration of library router to ensure visibility and access of information resources to
external client’s regardless of their geographical location.
Online and physical resource centre at Kenya National Farmers Federation
(KENAFF) July – August 2015
Setting up KENAFF resource centre -sorting out information resources as per format and advising on physical layout of the resource centre that included furniture, equipment and stationary. Advised on domain name or a public Internet Protocol.
Installation of KOHA, an integrated library system. The system is used to capture bibliographic details of information resources for ease of access and use. Registration of KENAFF staff as library users on Koha system.

Online and physical resource center at Hargeisa Cultural Centre, Hargeisa, Somaliland September
– October 2017
Setting up HCCL resource centre -sorting out information resources as per format and advising on
physical layout of the resource centre that included furniture, equipment and stationary. Advised on
domain name or a public Internet Protocol. Installation of KOHA, an integrated library system.
The system is used to capture bibliographic details of information resources for ease of access
and use.

 

IOA has trained participants representing the following institutions/organizations on Knowledge Management courses and mentorship of library staff.
Academic institutions
1. UMMA University
2. Egerton University
3. University of Eldoret
4. Kisii University, Eldoret Campus
5. Moi University
6. USIU – Africa
7. Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University
8. Kibabii University
Organizations
1. Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI)
2. Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS)
3. Youth Fund
4. Capital Market Authority (CMA)
5. Water Resource Management Board
6. Industrial Commercial Development Corporation (ICDC)
7. World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF)
8. County Assembly of Mombasa
9. Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC)
10. Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI)
11. Financial Sector Deepening Programme, Uganda

Setting up of Resource Centres
1. Eastern Africa Farmers Federation (EAFF)
2. Kenya National Farmers Federation (KENAF)
3. Uganda National Farmers Federation (UNFFE)
4. Hargeisa Cultural Centre Library, Somaliland
Participation in Workshops:
Public Service Reforms- The Ministry of Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs
Public Service
The Ministry of Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs Public Service Technical
Working Team (TWT) on Public Service Transformation Framework, 6th – 8th July,
2016, Kenya School of Government
Team’s Mandate: to incorporate views emanating from the key stakeholder validation forum and further input emerging on transformational in the public sector
Pillars:
i) Transformative and value-driven leadership,
ii) Fit-for-purpose public institutions,
iii) Effective service delivery systems and processes,
iv) Human Capital management,
v) Productive and global competitiveness,
vi) Operational Standards and process engineering.
Role: Guide on Knowledge Management

The Ministry of Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs Public Service Transformation Strategy Validation workshop, 17th – 18th March, 2016 HRD Boardroom, 2nd floor of Telposta Towers.
Team’s Mandate: to enhance efficient and effective service delivery
Pillars:
i) Transformative and value driven leadership;
ii) Fit for purpose institutions;
iii) Re-engineered service delivery systems and processes;
iv) Effective human capital management;
v) Enhanced public service productivity and global competitiveness
Role: Guide on Knowledge management

Government of Somaliland, Ministry of Finance, 2018
Public Financial Management (PFM) Capacity Strengthening Project
Undertaking a records management assessment and establishing systems, structures and guidance for creating and protecting authentic and reliable financial records, including: capturing metadata to relate the records (financial and human resource) to the context of their creation and use; capturing information (e.g. audit trails, digital signatures) needed to confirm authenticity and authorship; ensuring that the security measures are in place to protect records against unwarranted access; defining retention and disposal requirements; ensuring that appropriate personnel have been assigned responsibility; ensuring that regular system audit procedures are in place.
Output:
i. Assessment of Counterfoil and Store Section of MoF to determine state of Record Management and document management
ii. Development of polices
 Records Management Governance Policy and Procedure
 Electronically Stored Information Policy