Introduction 

The Science for Africa Foundation (SFA Foundation) is a pan-African, non-profit, and public charity organisation that supports, strengthens, and promotes science and innovation in Africa. The SFA Foundation is committed to improving African people's quality of life and promoting research uptake in communities, industry, and the public sector. We serve the African research ecosystem by designing, funding, and managing programmes that support excellent science and innovation and that build and reinforce environments that are conducive for scientists to thrive and produce quality research that impacts development. SFA Foundation is distinctive in that it focuses on the ecosystem surrounding research and the production of research itself. It also supports initiatives that directly influence the quantity, quality, and impact of research. SFA Foundation operations are hosted within the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) as a programme in the Republic of Kenya. 

Background 

The Developing Excellence in Leadership, Training, and Science (DELTAS) Africa Initiative is a flagship pan-African programme that supports the development of world-class researchers and robust research systems across the continent. Funded by Wellcome and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and implemented by the Science for Africa (SFA) Foundation, DELTAS Africa invests in African-led research consortia to strengthen scientific quality, leadership capacity, institutional systems, and societal engagement. 

Now in its second phase (DELTAS Africa II, 2023–2027), the program supports 14 multi-country consortia operating through a hub-and-spoke model, spanning over 30 African countries. DELTAS II focuses on four core pillars: 

• Scientific Quality – advancing high-quality, impactful research across health and development priorities 
• Research Leadership Capacity – building a critical mass of globally competitive African research leaders 
• Research Systems Strengthening – improving institutional capacity, governance, and research management systems 
• Scientific Citizenship (Societal Engagement) – enhancing the translation of research into policy, practice, and public engagement 

DELTAS Africa helps to strengthen Africa's research ecosystem, encourage collaboration, and put African scientists in a position to lead research agendas that are competitive around the world. 

Despite these gains, a persistent gap remains in the transition from postdoctoral training to independent research leadership. Many promising African researchers face barriers in securing funding, establishing independent research programmes, and navigating institutional leadership pathways. This challenge contributes to attrition and limits the long-term sustainability of research capacity on the continent. 

To address this gap, the DELTAS Africa II Career Advancement Fellowship Programme has been established as a pilot initiative providing targeted intervention to support a cohort of 14 senior postdoctoral fellows and early career researchers (one from each DELTAS Africa consortium) in consolidating their research portfolios and transitioning into independent leadership roles. The programme provides a one-year fellowship combining financial support, targeted training, coaching, and mentorship to support their leadership development. 

A central component of this programme is the provision of Leadership Development Training and Coaching, which is designed to equip fellows with the skills, networks, and strategic capabilities required to lead research programmes, secure competitive funding, and contribute to policy and innovation ecosystems. 

DOWNLOAD THE FULL RFP

Objectives of the Assignment 

The objectives of the assignment will be to: 

1. Design and deliver a tailored leadership development curriculum aligned to the needs of African early-career researchers. 
2. Provide structured coaching to support fellows’ leadership, career progression, and project delivery. 
3. Strengthen fellows’ competencies in:
   • Research leadership and team management 
   • Strategic career positioning and academic independence 
   • Grant leadership and resource mobilisation 
   • Institutional engagement and systems navigation 
   • Policy engagement and science communication 
4. Support fellows to translate training into tangible outputs, such as grant proposals, publications, and leadership roles. 
5. Contribute to building a cohort-based leadership network across DELTAS Africa consortia. 

Scope of Work 

The consultant will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following tasks: 

Programme Design 

1. Conduct a rapid needs assessment of fellows (skills, gaps, career aspirations) 
2. Design a modular leadership curriculum, aligned with programme objectives 
3. Develop training materials, toolkits, and practical exercises 
   • Ensure integration with: Fellows’ individual career advancement plans 

Leadership Training Delivery 

Deliver structured modules across the fellowship year (virtual and/or in-person), including: 

Core Modules (indicative): 

• Research Leadership & Vision Setting 
• Team Management & Supervision 
• Building and Managing Research Programmes 
• Grant Leadership, Budgeting, and Financial Stewardship 
• Strategic Career Development & Academic Positioning 
• Science Communication & Influence 
• Responsible Research Culture, Ethics, and DEI 
• Negotiation, Partnerships, and Stakeholder Engagement 

Coaching and Mentorship Support 

• Provide individual coaching sessions 
• Facilitate group coaching sessions / peer-learning forums 
• Support fellows in:
  • Refining career advancement plans 
  • Overcoming leadership and institutional barriers 
  • Preparing for leadership roles and opportunities 

Integration with Programme Milestones 

The consultant will contribute to: 

• Inception Meeting (May/June 2026)
  • Deliver introductory leadership session 
  • Support fellows in refining career plans 
• Quarterly Check-ins
  • Facilitate reflection, learning, and peer exchange 
• Final Convening (April 2027)
  • Support fellows in presenting leadership journeys and outcomes 
  • Deliver reflection and sustainability session 

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) 

• Develop leadership competency assessment framework (baseline and endline) 
• Track fellows’ progress in leadership development 
• Provide periodic progress reports 
• Contribute to programme-level learning and improvement. 

Instructions on the Proposal Submission Process

1. Proposal to be sent by email to [email protected] on or before 22 April 2026 at 5.00 pm (EAT)
2. Protect your proposal with a password and share the password on 23 April 2026 by 8.00 am (EAT)
3. The proposal to be marked as follows on the subject line:

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) CONSULTANCY SERVICES FOR DELTAS AFRICA II CAREER ADVANCEMENT FELLOWSHIP- RFP/008/2026 

DOWNLOAD THE FULL RFP