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

We are seeking to recruit a highly skilled Senior Programme Officer (SPO) to manage a bespoke Leadership Development Programme within the Africa Pandemic Sciences Collaborative, a high-profile, multi-year partnership between the SFA Foundation, the Pandemic Sciences Institute (PSI) at the University of Oxford, and the Mastercard Foundation.

The Leadership Development Programme is designed to nurture a new generation of African leaders across the pandemic science ecosystem. It aims to strengthen strategic, scientific, and systems-level leadership to empower African institutions in pandemic preparedness, response, and research at both local and global levels. The SPO will oversee the delivery of two leadership development tracks: (i) a senior leaders track and (ii) an emerging leaders track for young professionals, thus building a robust pipeline of African leaders in pandemic science and policy.

The SPO will be responsible for driving the full programme cycle, from strategy conceptualisation to delivery, while ensuring measurable impact is achieved.

The candidate will provide thought leadership in the design and implementation of the programme, foster strategic partnerships and collaborations, manage extensive networks, and deliver high level programme-related research.

SFA 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

Scientific and Technical Leadership

• Lead the planning, execution, and continuous improvement of the leadership development programme to ensure it produces strong pandemic science leaders in Africa.
• Collaborate closely with the Epidemic and Pandemic Sciences Innovation and Leadership Networks (EPSILONs), Collaborative partners to validate and refine the content, approaches, and learning outcomes of the programme.
• Benchmark with peer institutions that run similar programs to identify best practices and identify areas for improvement across course content, teaching approaches, and assessment strategies.
• Facilitate and integrate peer coaching, communities of practice and mentorship throughout the program to enhance participant development.
• Lead and coordinate participant recruitment, onboarding, and engagement processes to ensure a diverse and well-prepared cohort. This will include maximising participation, retention and learning outcomes throughout the programme.
• Ensure that technical outputs throughout the program cycle, including reports, are of high quality and respond to donor guidelines and requirements.
• Assist in utilising the outputs, networks, and relationships created through the leadership development program to further the organisation’s strategic objectives.
• Serve as the primary liaison between SFA Foundation and external facilitators, mentors, evaluators, and global partners.

Delivering the Science Research & Innovations Strategy

• Guide the integration of strategic foresight, science diplomacy, leadership innovation, and systems thinking into all learning components of the leadership development programme.
• Coordinate visibility pathways for African science leaders to ensure top-performing participants are highlighted through various events and platforms globally.
• Engage African and global institutions, including universities, government departments, think tanks, and intergovernmental organisations, to enhance content delivery, visibility, and the long-term impact of the programme.
• Track and analyse programme implementation data to identify challenges and improve effectiveness and efficiency.
• Work closely with SFA Foundation communications teams to develop a media and campaign strategy for the program to ensure maximum exposure and coverage on the continent and beyond, and to generate keen interest from potential stakeholders.

Programme Support

• Manage all aspects of the program delivery including organizing relevant trainings, workshops, content development, faculty coordination, logistics, and administration.
• Coordinate communication flow among participants, trainers, and collaborators to ensure smooth program operations.
• Monitoring and evaluating programme outcomes and impact, as well as communicating outcomes and learnings to key stakeholders.
• Monitor programme progress, manage budgets, and provide timely technical and financial reports to stakeholders and funders.
• Develop and maintain a risk management framework, including maintaining a risk register and a system for timely resolution of issues and challenges.
• Organise the awarding of a Certificate of Achievement co-issued with global academic partners upon successful completion of courses.
• Provide secretariat support to relevant steering or expert groups as needed.
• Represent SFA Foundation programmes at internal and external meetings when required.
• Support other SFA Foundation programmes and departments in the delivery of their mandate, especially for cross-cutting programmatic activities when requested.

PERSON SPECIFICATIONS

Academic Qualifications

• A PhD degree in a relevant Science/Biomedical/Biosciences/Health research field obtained over the past 10 years, or an MD or equivalent training with proven research leadership qualities and experience.

Professional Qualifications

• A proven record of research capabilities in health/biomedical/biosciences research as demonstrated by peer-reviewed publications and other quality outputs.
• A professional qualification in executive-level leadership development or research administration will be an added advantage.

Experience

• At least 5 years of experience in a leadership role within global health, research, academic, or public sector institutions will be an added advantage.
• Demonstrated experience in designing and delivering high-impact training or leadership programmes at the continental or global level.
• Proven knowledge and experience in health systems leadership, or science-policy interface in African contexts.
• Track record of engaging with African and global scientific, policy, and academic institutions to enhance research, innovation, and leadership networks.
• Familiarity with different learning approaches and mentorship models.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams across countries and disciplines.
• Excellent stakeholder management, interpersonal, and communication skills.

Knowledge, Skills and Attributes

• Ability to use their scientific skills and experience in other fields of science.
• Excellent presentation and public speaking skills.
• Ability to interact with and manage multiple stakeholders with diverse interests.
• Proficiency in standard office and collaboration tools such as Microsoft Office, SharePoint.
• Possess well-developed interpersonal skills and the ability to network and communicate across different levels of the organisation and with external partners.
• Able to perform work independently with minimal supervision and participate as a team member.
• Possess strong attention to detail and maintain a timely and efficient workflow.
• Have strong planning, organisational skills and ability to work under pressure.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritise work amidst competing demands.
• Have integrity, confidentiality and respect for self and other team members.
• Project/programme management skills (essential) and people management.
• Risk management, financial management and financial governance.
• Proficient in English.

Leadership Competencies

• Must have proven and demonstrated Leadership skills such as delegating responsibilities, developing others, facilitating change, and leading through vision and values.
• Must demonstrate the ability to manage stakeholders.
• Demonstrates ownership and accountability.
• Drives cross-functional collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• Supports a culture of continuous improvement and quality focus.
• Upholds integrity and promotes a strong documentation and governance culture.

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

Key Result Areas

• All assigned activities delivered within budget, to time and consistent with commitments to funders and agreed targets.
• Schemes delivered following best practices in scheme management, steering group secretarial support, and using the Grants Management System effectively.
• Strong working relationships with all key stakeholders, including funders, staff, high-level global scientists, other delivery partners, and beneficiaries.
• Maintaining an attractive profile of scientific activities throughout the programme cycle.
• Strong knowledge of SFA Foundation policies and procedures and their application in grants management.

HOW TO APPLY

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

THE APPLICATION DEADLINE THURSDAY, 23 OCTOBER 2025

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