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

The Programme Assistant provides operational and administrative assistance to the programme staff, coordination and logistical services in support of the science solutions for emerging global priorities portfolio.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Programme Support

• Provide programme and administrative support to the programme team in the preparation of various programme documents, such as work plans, budgets, reports, and proposals on programme implementation arrangements.
• Provides administrative support to the Programme team and supports in meeting scheduling including support in follow-up on actions and deadlines.
• Assist the team by maintaining calendars, receiving and composing communications as correspondence, and replying to inquiries.
• Assist other team members in preparing and formatting documents, including PowerPoint presentations, in liaison with the communications department.
• Develops and maintains an efficient filing system for the team, including assistance in processing calls for proposals as required.
• Liaises and communicates with other teams and external stakeholders on various activities as may be requested.
• Organises regular team meetings and conference calls/video conferences, often over different time zones, including the preparation and distribution of documents and providing necessary technical devices.
• Takes minutes of regular team meetings and other meetings with the assistance of and coordination from programme managers as required.
• Performs other related duties per instructions from team members.

Travel and Events Management

• Manage the programme travel and events calendar in liaison with programme staff.
• Works with the travel and events staff to process the internal travel requisition for programme staff before events/travel.
• Working with the travel staff, advise the program team members of visa requirements and assist in the compilation of required documents.
• Responsible for formatting, distribution, and filing of trip reports.
• Reconcile travel expenditures for all team members and submit them for authorisation and payment.

Workshop and Events

• Liaises with members of other host organisations and the internal travel and events Officer to coordinate logistical arrangements for workshops and events.
• Liaises with the Events and Travel Officer and other outside agencies regarding venue, travel, hotels, and catering services when necessary.
• Works closely with the communications team to disseminate all internal and external material, including publicity and background documents for local and international SFA Foundation events. Coordinates appropriate mailings or distribution.
• Coordinates registration process and acts as the contact person for the applicants.

PERSON SPECIFICATIONS

Minimum Academic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, Business Administration or its equivalent from a recognised institution.x

Experience

• At least 3 years’ experience working in research/research leadership capacity development programme design and implementation on the African continent.

Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes

• Must have a high level of integrity.
• Must understand and demonstrate the Foundation’s values such as respect, accountability, excellence, diversity, and inclusion.
• Must demonstrate the ability to build strategic relationships.
• Must be an effective communicator and have excellent problem-solving skills.
• Must be a critical thinker and innovative.
• Must demonstrate the ability to make decisions, plan, organise and manage work.
• Must have a high level of adaptability, engagement readiness and fast thinking.
• Must have the capability to initiate action and be keen on quality.
• Must be attentive to details.
• Must have exceptional presentation and public speaking skills.
• Must demonstrate the ability to collaborate and build trust with others.

Should you meet the competencies above, please submit a cover letter and a current Curriculum Vitae not exceeding 5 pages including three professional referees to [email protected]

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., DeusWan-CV-092022-SFA Foundation or Deus-Wan-CoverLetter-092022-SFA Foundation.

THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS WEDNESDAY, 13 NOVEMBER 2024

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