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 overall aim of the Programme Officer (Africa Pandemic Sciences Collaborative) role is to deliver work within the Science Collaboratives for Pandemics, Epidemics, and Endemic Diseases (SCOPE R&D) programme under the Africa Pandemic Sciences Collaborative.

SFA Foundation, The Pandemic Sciences Institute at the University of Oxford and Mastercard Foundation have recently launched a bold and collaborative initiative. Funded at around $45 million, the initiative aims to establish networks of scientific excellence in epidemic and pandemic research, preparedness, and response across Africa. This initiative will also include a substantial portfolio of policy engagement, knowledge exchange and capacity-strengthening activities (workstreams) over a six-year period.

The role entails delivering activities within the strategy through the full programme cycle and making sure that they achieve impact. The incumbent will be a critical member of the team, providing operational and administrative support for a wide range of project activities within the portfolio. He/She must be a proactive individual who takes initiative and drives projects forward with minimal supervision and is able to make decisions.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Scientific and Technical

• Participate in the programme management cycle by initiating, developing and getting sign-off.
• Work closely with the programme manager to develop evidence-based positions on pandemic research, preparedness, and response issues linked to the core work.
• Support the Programme Manager with the strategic development and implementation of programme workstreams as required.
• Assist in the provision of secretariat support to relevant steering or expert groups within the programme.

Research

• Perform programme-relevant research to inform the development, implementation, and delivery of the projects falling within the portfolio.
• Work in close collaboration with the M&E team to identify, collate, track, assess quality, analyse, validate, and report on programme-related data.
• Identify and build relationships with relevant stakeholders involved in relevant areas of research and research leadership, capacity development, but not limited to universities and other research institutions. This may include relevant African government departments and policymakers, Africa-based and international Think Tanks, and intergovernmental organisations etc.
• Prepare reports, articles, and presentations during programme inception meetings, annual grantee meetings and site visits.
• Track and perform relevant analyses on various aspects of programme implementation to identify and address important challenges to ensure effective and efficient programme delivery.

Programme Support

• Represent SFA Foundation programmes at internal and external meetings when required.
• Work in close collaboration with the SFA Foundation Communications Department to ensure all content (reports, images, videos, social media posts) is relevant and updated on a timely basis according to what is happening in the projects.
• Deliver administrative team duties in support of the projects within the portfolio, e.g. work with SFA Foundation Procurement team to monitor deliverables (including supplies) and being the contact person for projects within the programme.
• Plan and organise relevant workshops and other activities in furtherance of the objectives of the projects within the portfolio.
• Maintain a risk register for the programme and a system to document, track and ensure programme issues and challenges are resolved promptly.
• Help to manage shared documentation platforms and folders, ensuring adequate version control and confidentiality and offering ideas for improvements where appropriate.
• Support other SFA Foundation programmes and departments in the delivery of their mandate, especially for cross-cutting programmatic activities when requested.

Grant Management

• Call set up within the grant management System: Develop application templates, application coding, review, and reporting within the grant management system. Troubleshooting the grant management system for technical issues related to grants.
• Call management: prepare RFPs, issue calls, receive applications, screen applications, assess results, convene committee meetings, identify members for the committees, develop SOPs, develop criteria for selection and award, and arrange pitching sessions.
• Conduct due diligence: Develop TORs for reviews facilitate and engage in site visits, reporting, annual review for reports, preparation of program reports, collate, analyse and report.

PERSON SPECIFICATIONS

Minimum Academic Qualifications

• A Master’s degree in a relevant Science/Biomedical/Biosciences/Health research field obtained over the past 5 years; or an MD with proven research leadership qualities and experience of carrying out key research work for priority health agendas.

Professional Qualifications

• A professional qualification and relevant experience in large-scale programme/project management or training in research administration, ethics, leadership or related will be an added advantage.

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.

Leadership Competencies

• Must have proven and demonstrated Leadership skills such as delegating responsibilities, developing others, facilitating change and leading through vision and values.
• Must possess the ability to build a successful team.
• Must demonstrate the ability to manage stakeholder.
• Mentor and coach juniors

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.