ORGANISATION OVERVIEW

The Science for Africa Foundation (SFA Foundation) is a non-profit, public charity organisation that supports, strengthens and promotes science innovation in Africa. The goal of the SFA Foundation is to address the continent’s most pressing developmental needs by generating scientific knowledge that solves problems and informs decision-making.

We serve the African research ecosystem by funding excellent research and innovation ideas, enabling interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers, building and reinforcing environments that are conducive for scientists to thrive, and producing quality research that generates new, locally relevant knowledge.

The SFA Foundation takes a holistic approach to the development of science. Our programmatic initiatives are crafted to cater to the entire science ecosystem and span across the value chain from early discovery sciences to translation sciences and target cross-cutting gaps.

Our commitment to strengthening the entire research ecosystem is reflected in the creation of major science and innovation programmes implemented through a well-established grant-making scheme, advocacy and promotion of scientific excellence, emphasis on intra-Africa collaboration and evidence-based policymaking mechanisms.

THE SFA FOUNDATION GRADUATE TRAINEE PROGRAMME

Are you passionate about science, and what enables the delivery of the same? Are you eager to learn and take on new challenges? Do you possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills and possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills coupled with the ability to work well in a team-oriented environment? Then explore the graduate trainee openings within SFA Foundation.

We invite talented and driven individuals to join our Graduate Trainee Programme for a fixed-term period of one year. Although the programme does not guarantee employment at SFA Foundation, it prepares trainees by giving them the necessary experience.

We are looking for motivated candidates who are eager to grow, innovate, and make an impact. Our Graduate Trainee Programme offers the perfect chance to launch your career. With hands-on training, mentorship, and real exposure, you will develop the expertise needed to excel in a dynamic, collaborative, and supportive environment.  

POSITION OVERVIEW

JOB PURPOSE

This role offers a structured learning and development opportunity for a high-potential university graduate in ICT or a related field who is seeking to build a strong foundation in enterprise technology and digital transformation. The Graduate Trainee – ICT will contribute to the delivery of reliable, user-centred ICT services while gaining practical exposure to technology operations, service management, innovation, and project delivery within a dynamic organisational environment.

Working closely with the ICT team, the Graduate Trainee will support initiatives aimed at enhancing organisational efficiency through technology-enabled solutions and continuous improvement. The trainee will provide Level 1 user support, facilitate the adoption of existing and emerging digital tools, and assist in managing user accounts and access requests.

The role will also support effective ICT governance and operational excellence through the maintenance of technology assets, development of knowledge resources, and participation in ICT projects. Through these responsibilities, the Graduate Trainee will gain valuable hands-on experience while contributing meaningfully to the organisation’s digital productivity and service delivery objectives.

Science for Africa Foundation is committed to fostering a culture grounded in Respect, Accountability, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I), and Excellence. We seek individuals who embody these values in their work and interactions.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Deliver exceptional first-line support to end-users experiencing technical difficulties across various communication channels, including phone, email, and in-person interactions.
• Leverage your analytical skills to diagnose and efficiently resolve a wide range of hardware, software, and network-related issues. Seamlessly escalate complex matters to senior IT personnel while maintaining clear communication with users throughout the resolution process.
• Assist with the configuration, deployment, and setup of computers, peripherals, and software applications for new employees, ensuring they possess the requisite tools for optimal performance.
• Meticulously manage user accounts and access permissions in accordance with established company policies. This includes account creation, modification, and deactivation as needed while prioritising data security and integrity at all times.
• Document support requests, resolutions, and troubleshooting procedures to contribute to the development and maintenance of a comprehensive knowledge base. This fosters self-service capabilities and enhances overall departmental efficiency.
• Continuously expand your knowledge by actively participating in training sessions and workshops to stay abreast of the latest IT support and customer service trends and best practices.
• Foster a collaborative work environment by effectively partnering with other IT team members to resolve technical issues promptly.
• Additionally, collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement IT projects and initiatives that drive organisational productivity and efficiency.
• Provide comprehensive analysis and support for implementing new and existing solutions, maximising their value.
• Track and monitor the resolution time for reported technical issues to ensure efficient and timely support.
• Implement strategies to reduce the recurrence of common technical problems through proactive troubleshooting and preventive measures.
• Assist in the implementation of ICT projects, including system upgrades, migrations, and deployments.
• Participate in project planning, testing, and evaluation activities under the guidance of senior ICT staff.

PERSON SPECIFICATIONS

Academic Qualifications

• Should have graduated in 2025 or 2026
• Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of upper second-class honours in information technology, Information Science, Computer Science, Business IT (BBIT), or a related field.
• Should have a B+ and above in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) or its equivalent
• Kenyan citizen.

Experience

No experience required

Leadership Competencies

• Demonstrates curiosity, openness to feedback, and ability to apply new knowledge.
• Takes responsibility for assigned tasks and meets deadlines reliably.
• Communicates clearly and professionally with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Collaborates effectively and contributes positively to team objectives.
• Shows developing ability to analyse information and support problem-solving.
• Adjusts to changing environments and proactively supports tasks and learning.

Knowledge, Skills and Attributes

• Must understand and demonstrate the Foundation’s values such as respect, accountability, excellence, diversity, and inclusion.
• Must demonstrate the ability to pay attention to details.
• Must promote knowledge sharing and learning.
• Must have a high level of integrity and flexibility.
• Must embrace continuous learning and improvement.
• Must possess client relations and collaboration with other team members.
• Client-focused approach.

Key Result Areas

• Timely resolution of calls
• Timely submission of reports, e.g., service desk reports
• Customer satisfaction
• Technical issue resolution and resolution
• IT policies and procedures enforcement
• Professional development

Organisational Values

All SFA Foundation staff are expected to uphold and demonstrate the organisation's core values in the execution of their duties:

• Respect: Demonstrates cultural sensitivity and professionalism in all interactions.
• Accountability: Takes ownership of responsibilities and follows through on commitments.
• Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity (DIE): Committed to inclusive practices and equitable decision-making.
• Excellence: Strives for continuous improvement and consistently delivers high-quality outputs.

HOW TO APPLY

Should you meet the competencies above, please submit your application by clicking the APPLY button below.

THE APPLICATION DEADLINE FRIDAY, 10 JULY 2026

SFA Foundation has a commitment to safeguarding people and the environment, and this forms part of our background checks.