Organisation Background

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 policy-making mechanisms.

Position Overview

The overall aim of the intern role is to deliver on the mapping gaps in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data science for global health governance from an African perspective project. This entails supporting all different aspects of the delivery of the project. Specifically ensuring timely delivery of the rollout of the project.

Roles and Responsibilities

1. Participate in the successful rollout of the project by contributing to the planning and delivery of multi-country, hybrid format large-scale events (e.g., consultative meetings, priority setting exercises, dissemination meetings).
2. Perform program-relevant desk research to inform the implementation and delivery of the project.
3. In conjunction with the SFA Foundation communications team, promote the project through social media, website page management and/or article writing.
4. Contribute, as required, to the development of evidence-based positions on policy issues linked to the core work.
5. Work closely with the Public Engagement with Science (PES) Programme Manager on related activities of the project.
6. Assist in providing secretariat support to relevant steering or expert groups.

Key Results and Outcomes Areas

1. Benefits of all assigned activities delivered within budget, to time, and consistent with commitments to funders and agreed targets.
2. Project delivered following best practices in project management and steering group secretarial support.
3. Strong working relationships with all key stakeholders including staff, other delivery partners, and beneficiaries.
4. Maintaining an attractive and accurate outward profile of activities through the website and other materials.
5. The impact of the project is clearly documented and disseminated.

Qualifications and Experience

1. A degree in a relevant field (Public health, international development, public policy, data science/AI, social science & humanities, and science/biomedical/biosciences) obtained within the last 2 years.
2. Experience in desk research is a plus.
3. Experience in policy analysis is a plus.
4. Experience in public engagement with science is an added advantage.
5. Must be willing and able to travel regularly within Africa.
6. A professional qualification and relevant exposure to large-scale program/project management or training in research administration, ethics, leadership, or related will be an added advantage.
7. Ability to communicate in English and French/Arabic, an added advantage.

HOW TO APPLY

Should you meet the above requirements, please submit a cover letter and a current Curriculum Vitae not exceeding 5 pages including three professional referees to [email protected] with the name of the vacancy as the e-mail subject.

The cover letter should be no more than two pages long and explain why you are interested in this post and how your skills and experience make you a good fit. The documents should be saved in MS Word or PDF in the following format: Your First Name-Your Last Name-Document Name-Date (mmyy) e.g., Deus-Wan-CV-092022-SFA Foundation or Deus-Wan-CoverLetter-092022 -SFA Foundation.

All applications should be submitted by Friday, 3rd March 2023.