The Science for Africa Foundation (SFA Foundation) is at the forefront of championing science and innovation to drive development across the African continent. As a non-profit public charity organisation, the Foundation is committed to addressing Africa’s pressing developmental needs by supporting the generation and application of scientific knowledge that informs evidence-based policies and sustainable solutions.
SFA Foundation strengthens the African research ecosystem through funding transformative research and innovation ideas, nurturing interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers, and enabling conducive environments for scientific inquiry and advancement. Our interventions span the full science value chain—from early discovery to translational sciences—and are tailored to close cross-cutting gaps in the science ecosystem.
Through robust grant-making systems, impactful advocacy, promotion of scientific excellence, and collaborative intra-Africa research initiatives, SFA Foundation ensures the alignment of science with Africa’s socio-economic growth goals. To bolster our strategic direction, we are seeking a dynamic, visionary, and highly skilled professional for the role of Manager – Knowledge Management & Learning to join our team based in Nairobi, Kenya.
Position Overview
- Job Title: Manager – Knowledge Management & Learning
- Department: Cross Cutting
- Reporting To: Chief Scientific Officer
- Location: Nairobi, Kenya
- Application Deadline: Tuesday, 8 July 2025
Job Purpose
At the heart of the SFA Foundation’s mission is a commitment to continuous, adaptive learning, and evidence-informed programming. The Manager – Knowledge Management & Learning plays a central leadership role in driving and integrating Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL), knowledge management, and research initiatives within the Foundation and among implementation partners. This position ensures that the Foundation remains on the cutting edge of Africa’s science and innovation landscape by enabling informed decision-making, strategic learning, and impact measurement.
The successful candidate will lead the design and implementation of robust MEAL systems, define the Foundation’s research agenda, manage sector-wide learning initiatives, and establish comprehensive knowledge management strategies to enhance institutional memory, policy engagement, and program effectiveness.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
1. Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL)
- Spearhead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of a comprehensive MEAL framework for all SFA Foundation science programs.
- Define and deploy efficient monitoring and reporting frameworks aligned with strategic goals and programmatic outcomes.
- Support program planning by designing feasible and strategic MEL strategies with clear, measurable indicators aligned to SFA’s mission.
- Lead effective evaluation efforts including baseline, mid-term, and end-term evaluations, ensuring methodological rigor and relevance.
- Provide expert guidance on data collection methodologies (both qualitative and quantitative) that align with program objectives and contribute to robust monitoring and impact assessment.
- Oversee the implementation of high-quality reporting systems that aggregate outcomes, impact stories, and learnings in collaboration with the Communications and Program teams.
- Ensure that all MEAL data feeds into continuous learning agendas and drives internal performance improvements.
- Champion alignment of the MEAL system with the SFA impact framework and provide real-time feedback to program teams for adaptive programming.
2. Strategic Research and Learning
- Define and refine the Foundation’s research strategy in alignment with organizational goals and fundraising strategies.
- Identify gaps in current evidence and knowledge within the African science ecosystem, and develop appropriate strategies to fill them.
- Lead horizon scanning, strategic analysis, and cross-sectoral research to inform current and future programming.
- Support the integration of research findings into program design, funding proposals, and strategic plans.
- Develop and execute learning agendas that address priority knowledge gaps, enhance program quality, and support innovation.
- Manage the production of actionable insights and evidence for use in funder reports, internal decision-making, and public discourse.
- Coordinate learning and reflection processes across ongoing projects to ensure knowledge is continuously synthesized and applied.
- Maintain oversight of all research efforts to ensure coherence, alignment with institutional priorities, and high-quality output.
3. Knowledge Management
- Provide strategic direction in the development and execution of a comprehensive knowledge management framework for the science function.
- Establish systems and tools for capturing, organizing, and sharing institutional knowledge including guidelines, tools, data, reports, and presentations.
- Lead the implementation of digital platforms to archive and retrieve documents and data relevant to the organization’s science and innovation work.
- Promote knowledge translation through developing briefs, reports, and knowledge products that inform policies and practice at national, regional, and global levels.
- Develop and manage knowledge partnerships with peer institutions, funders, and policy actors.
- Foster the creation and coordination of Communities of Practice (CoPs) and cohort learning systems to enhance shared learning and collaboration among stakeholders.
- Represent the Foundation in national and international learning networks, forums, and thought leadership platforms.
4. Cross-Cutting Responsibilities
- Build and lead a high-performing team responsible for executing the Foundation’s MEL, research, and knowledge management strategies.
- Provide strategic leadership and guidance to internal teams, ensuring synergy between research, evaluation, and knowledge sharing efforts.
- Train and mentor staff and implementation partners on best practices in MEL and knowledge management to build institutional capacity.
- Collaborate with the Chief Scientific Officer to maintain high-level engagement with key stakeholders, including research partners, funders, and policymakers.
- Represent SFA Foundation at various platforms, conferences, and networks, upholding the organization’s reputation and influence in the science policy landscape.
- Maintain operational excellence in managing cross-functional activities related to research quality, data governance, and results-based management.
Person Specifications
Academic Qualifications
- A Master’s degree in a relevant field such as:
- Monitoring and Evaluation, Development Studies, Public Health
- Knowledge Management, Information Science, Organisational Learning
- Statistics, Economics, or Social Sciences (with demonstrated MEL training)
Professional Training
- Advanced certification in Monitoring & Evaluation, Knowledge Management, Data Management, or related disciplines is preferred.
Experience
- At least seven years of professional experience in leading MEL, research, and knowledge management roles, preferably within Africa’s health, climate, or agricultural sectors.
- Proven track record in operationalising MEAL systems and designing research agendas for science or innovation-based organisations.
Key Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes
- Expertise in designing and operating MEL frameworks and systems across complex programs.
- Demonstrated success in leading the implementation of knowledge management systems, frameworks, and digital tools.
- Strong analytical and research capabilities, including the ability to lead implementation research and strategic evaluation.
- Proficiency in data analysis tools and software such as SPSS, STATA, Power BI, NVivo, or advanced Excel.
- Exceptional communication, report writing, and presentation skills suitable for diverse audiences including funders, policymakers, and the research community.
- Familiarity with results-based management, theory of change, and evaluation methodologies.
- Strong command of digital platforms for storytelling, reporting, and data visualization.
- A deep understanding of open science principles, data governance, and learning facilitation.
- Proven leadership and team management skills, including experience developing and mentoring high-performing teams.
Leadership Competencies
- Ability to thrive under pressure while maintaining focus on strategic priorities.
- Experience in managing multicultural teams and cross-functional initiatives.
- Demonstrated self-motivation, accountability, and results orientation.
- Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication abilities.
- Willingness to travel up to 20% domestically and internationally.
- High ethical standards and professional integrity.
Why Join the Science for Africa Foundation?
This is a unique opportunity to be part of a rapidly growing organisation at the forefront of transforming Africa’s science and innovation landscape. As Manager – Knowledge Management & Learning, you will play a pivotal role in shaping evidence-based programming, building institutional knowledge assets, and influencing policy and practice across the continent. You will work with a diverse and highly talented team dedicated to making a measurable impact on development outcomes through science.
If you are passionate about leveraging knowledge, evidence, and learning to strengthen Africa’s scientific excellence, and if you meet the experience and skillset required for this position, we invite you to be part of our mission-driven journey.
How to Apply
Should you meet the competencies above, please submit your application by clicking the APPLY button below.
The application deadline is Tuesday, 8 July 2025
The Science for Africa Foundation is an equal opportunity employer committed to safeguarding people and the environment. Background checks will be conducted in line with our safeguarding policies.
