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.

POSITION OVERVIEW

JOB PURPOSE

Understanding trends in Africa’s science ecosystem, leveraging the outcomes, results, and impact of our implementation partners, and managing knowledge for sustainable and efficient use is integral to the successful delivery of SFA Foundation’s strategy. The Manager – Knowledge Management and Learning is a senior role that reports to the Chief Scientific Officer and is responsible for supporting the implementation of evidence-based programming and continuous, adaptive learning within the SFA Foundation and across implementing partners. This includes owning the monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL) function internally and across our funded partners; spearheading sector-wide research and learning initiatives; and driving and promoting a robust knowledge management agenda within the programmes function.

The role holder will join a dynamic team in a relatively young organisation and is expected to demonstrate experience and capability leading MEAL interventions, advancing strategic research and learning, and delivering robust knowledge management.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning

Lead the development, rollout, and continuous strengthening of a robust Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Function: 

• Lead the definition of an effective monitoring and reporting framework for the Foundation’s science programmes. 
• Programme Planning Support: Lead in the development, design, and operationalisation of clear, relevant and feasible MEL strategies to ensure clearly defined measurable indicators of outputs, outcomes, and impact in line with SFA’s mission and strategy.
• Monitoring and Reporting: Oversee the implementation of robust, efficient and effective reporting frameworks that facilitate the acquisition and aggregation of knowledge and impact stories in collaboration with the Communications and Programme teams. Ensure high-quality reporting to funders and internal stakeholders based on robust MEAL systems.
• Evaluation: Drive the development of robust baseline, mid-term and end term evaluations and consultant recruitments as necessary.
• Data and Information Management: Provide leadership and guidance on fit-for-purpose data collection methodologies (qualitative and quantitative) that will be used for monitoring programmes and measuring the achievement of appropriate indicators. 
• Learning: Lead in the development and implementation of a learning agenda at SFA Foundation. Oversee MEAL strategy implementation and ensure alignment with SFA’s impact framework.

Research and Learning

• Research strategy: Define SFA Foundation research priorities and ensure alignment with the organisation’s mission and strategic goals for impact and fundraising.
• Learning agenda and execution: Identify relevant and important gaps in existing evidence research and define suitable approaches to fill them, taking into account global and local trends in the science ecosystem.  
• Lead research and analysis across a range of multiple sectors, topics, and fields, including horizon scanning activities, and contribute to ensuring all SFA Foundation science programs draw on the best available evidence in their design and implementation. This includes actively contributing to proposal development and intervention design. Lead the design and execution of strategic research, learning agendas, and reflection processes.
• Maintain an overall view of the programmes and ongoing projects, ensuring that interdependencies are raised quickly and addressed from a technical and operational perspective. Guide the use of evidence for adaptive programme decision-making and funder reporting.
• Generate insights to drive program quality, innovation, and fundraising. 

Knowledge Management

• Strategic direction: Lead in the development and implementation of a knowledge management strategy for the science function. Lead in the establishment of effective system and tools for archiving science function guidelines, tools, data files, analysis files, reports, and presentations for major activities and initiatives undertaken.
• Oversee the development and implementation of SFA’s knowledge management strategy and platforms for capturing institutional memory.
• Knowledge Partnerships: Design and implement innovative approaches and strategies for the development of effective knowledge sharing partnerships. Lead knowledge translation efforts to inform policy, practice, and funder communications.
• Engagement and Sharing: Support the design and implementation of a successful Community of Practice and Cohort Management framework across the science function. Represent SFA in external learning networks and thought leadership forums.

Cross Cutting

• Leadership and team management: Build and manage high performance to execute SFA Foundation Monitoring and evaluation; learning and research and knowledge management agendas. 
• Stakeholder engagement: In collaboration with the Chief Scientific Officer, support engagements with key stakeholders to drive forward impactful research initiatives and program design improvements.
• Training and Coaching: Build the capacity of programme teams and the organisation on matters of MEL and strategy.
• Representation: Ably represents the SFA Foundation in various local and international forums requiring liaison with current and potential implementing and funding partners.

PERSON SPECIFICATIONS

Academic Qualifications

Master’s degree in one of the following (or related) fields:

• Monitoring & Evaluation, Development Studies, or Public Health.
• Knowledge Management, Information Science, or Organizational Learning.
• Statistics, Economics, or Social Sciences (with demonstrated training in M&E and learning systems).

Professional Qualifications 

• Advanced certificate or training in MEL, knowledge management, statistics, data management or any other relevant field.

Experience 
A minimum of seven (7) years’ relevant experience leading work in the field of science ecosystem strengthening in Africa, especially across health, climate, and/or agriculture.

Knowledge, Skills and Attributes

• Proven success in designing, implementing, and operating project MEL systems from project initiation to close out stages.
• Strong knowledge and proven success in leading the design and implementation of Knowledge Management frameworks, methodologies, and tools. 
• Strong research and analysis skills; demonstrable experience in leading the design and execution of implementation research strategies.  
• Experience in and ability to work with ICT tools; proficiency in data analysis software (e.g., SPSS, STATA, Power BI, or advanced Excel).
• Excellent communication, report writing, and presentation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work under tight deadlines.
• Theory of Change, Results-Based Management, or Evaluation Design.
• Knowledge management systems (e.g., SharePoint, DSpace, Salesforce Knowledge).
• Qualitative and quantitative analysis (e.g., NVivo, STATA, R).
• Digital tools for data use and storytelling (e.g., Power BI, Tableau).
• Open science, research data governance, or learning facilitation.

Leadership Competencies

• Resilience: Maintains a focus on key priorities and deliverables, staying resilient in the face of pressure.
• Management: Strong incremental experience managing teams and demonstrated ability to help accelerate the growth of direct reports.
• Self-motivated, goal and deadline driven; proven track record to deliver the highest possible quality and within set timeframes.
• Highly organised, with an ability to balance working independently whilst engaging teams.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, and an ability to represent SFA Foundation at all levels and in different cultural settings.
• Ability to work in an international and multicultural setting.
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 20% domestically and internationally.
• High moral standing with impeccable integrity.

HOW TO APPLY

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

THE APPLICATION DEADLINE TUESDAY, 8 JULY 2025

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