The Science for Africa Foundation (SFA Foundation) is a non-profit, public charity organisation committed to accelerating Africa’s development through robust support for scientific research and innovation. By strengthening the scientific ecosystem, SFA Foundation empowers institutions, researchers, and communities to solve pressing developmental challenges with context-specific and high-impact solutions.
With its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, the Foundation operates across the continent, funding cutting-edge research, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, and building capacity across the scientific value chain—from early discovery to application. SFA Foundation’s initiatives target systemic gaps within the science ecosystem and facilitate long-term partnerships and locally driven innovation.
Its flagship programmes, such as DELTAS Africa, are crafted to build sustainable environments in which African researchers and institutions can thrive. SFA Foundation’s strategic focus is guided by its dedication to excellence, inclusion, accountability, and responsiveness to local and regional contexts. The Foundation is also actively involved in policy advocacy and works to embed scientific evidence in decision-making processes.
SFA Foundation’s programme implementation is backed by rigorous grant-making procedures, collaborative partnerships, and technical assistance that address research operations, compliance, governance, and sustainability in African institutions.
Position Overview
Position Title:
Senior Programme Officer – Research Management (DELTAS Africa)
Department:
Programmes
Reporting To:
Senior Programme Manager
Location:
Nairobi, Kenya
Purpose of the Role
The Senior Programme Officer – Research Management will serve as a key advisor and technical expert in strengthening research governance and operational systems in institutions supported by the DELTAS Africa programme. This strategic role aims to bolster institutional resilience and ensure effective, transparent, and sustainable research operations.
The successful candidate will be responsible for diagnosing capacity gaps, promoting adherence to grant management and compliance standards, supporting institutions in achieving Good Financial Grant Practice (GFGP) certification, and fostering peer learning and institutional development. This role will work closely with both internal and external stakeholders to elevate the standards of research management in the region, ensuring alignment with funder requirements and SFA Foundation’s long-term goals.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
1. Institutional Research Management Support
- Provide expert-level guidance on research governance, grant administration, procurement practices, ethics compliance, and financial reporting.
- Conduct capacity assessments of grantee institutions to identify gaps, risks, and opportunities for system enhancements.
- Design institution-specific support and development plans, focusing on long-term operational effectiveness.
- Collaborate with institutional leadership to craft research operations strategies aligned with the goals of both the DELTAS Africa programme and key funders.
- Promote internal governance structures that support efficient, ethical, and compliant research processes.
2. GFGP Certification and Institutional Strengthening
- Support institutional partners in achieving and maintaining GFGP certification, enhancing transparency and accountability.
- Develop and manage tracking systems to monitor institutional progress against certification benchmarks.
- Coordinate access to specialised technical assistance tailored to each institution’s needs.
- Facilitate cross-institutional learning on financial grant practices, governance, and compliance, drawing insights to inform broader programme development.
- Provide strategic oversight of institutional strengthening initiatives, ensuring long-term impact and resilience.
3. Capacity Building and Learning
- Design, develop, and deliver comprehensive training modules for research management professionals across DELTAS Africa institutions.
- Establish and moderate communities of practice to enable peer-to-peer learning and knowledge exchange.
- Develop toolkits, frameworks, and operational guides to be used by institutions beyond the lifespan of specific projects.
- Promote sustainable knowledge sharing and continuous improvement through capacity-strengthening interventions.
4. Programme Monitoring and Risk Management
- Monitor institutional performance indicators related to research management systems, governance structures, and compliance.
- Identify emerging risks related to research operations and provide strategic guidance to mitigate them.
- Work collaboratively with internal teams including legal, finance, and programme departments to manage institutional risk.
- Help align institutional monitoring and evaluation (M&E) frameworks with those of the DELTAS Africa programme and its funders.
- Contribute to programme reports, institutional dashboards, and documentation of progress.
5. Stakeholder Engagement
- Build strong working relationships with research institutions’ leads in grants management, finance, and operations.
- Participate in technical working groups, research governance forums, and external platforms to share expertise and learnings.
- Facilitate dialogue with senior institutional leadership and governance boards to institutionalise reforms in research management.
- Document and disseminate institutional success stories and lessons learned to influence broader sectoral reforms.
- Represent the SFA Foundation at regional and international convenings related to research operations and grant management in Africa.
6. Other Duties
- Undertake any other responsibilities assigned by the Senior Programme Manager or executive leadership that align with programme goals and organisational priorities.
- Stay up to date with evolving trends in research governance, compliance, and institutional capacity building.
Person Specifications
Academic Qualifications
- A Master’s degree in research administration, public health, development studies, or a closely related discipline.
Professional Qualifications
- Certifications in project or grant management (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2, NCURA, or ARMA) are advantageous, especially for applicants involved in audit readiness and institutional strengthening.
Experience
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience working in research management, grants compliance, or institutional operations within academic or research-focused organisations.
- Proven record in supporting audit processes, implementing compliance standards (such as GFGP or ISO), and guiding institutional transformation.
- Familiarity with research funding requirements and practices of international donors such as the Gates Foundation, FCDO, NIH, and Wellcome Trust.
- Prior experience in engaging African research institutions and understanding of the operating challenges and opportunities in diverse institutional settings.
Skills and Attributes
- In-depth knowledge of research management operations and governance principles.
- Strong coordination, project planning, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Analytical capabilities to assess institutional needs and design strategic interventions.
- Demonstrated ability to facilitate high-quality training, mentoring, and capacity development initiatives.
- A strong commitment to ethical standards, cross-cultural respect, and professional excellence.
- Familiarity with grant management and compliance platforms, including Fluxx, Salesforce, and the GFGP portal.
- Understanding of ethical, gender-sensitive, and inclusive practices in governance and programme implementation.
Leadership Competencies and Personal Attributes
- Deep commitment to strengthening African institutions to become high-performing and sustainable centres of scientific excellence.
- Ability to manage complexity with strategic vision and practical implementation.
- Culturally attuned and able to engage constructively with diverse institutions and stakeholders across the continent.
- Highly collaborative with strong interpersonal and communication skills to facilitate partnerships and knowledge sharing.
- Transparent, ethical, and accountable with a track record of integrity and professional maturity.
- Resilient under pressure, able to prioritise competing demands and respond adaptively to emerging programme needs.
Organisational Values at SFA Foundation
All staff at SFA Foundation are expected to demonstrate and uphold the core values that define the culture and operations of the organisation:
- Respect: Promote inclusive and professional conduct across all engagements.
- Accountability: Take ownership of responsibilities and act with integrity.
- Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity (DIE): Promote fair and equitable practices in all institutional and programme processes.
- Excellence: Commit to delivering high-quality outcomes and continuous learning.
SFA Foundation is also committed to the highest standards of safeguarding for both people and the environment, and all staff must adhere to the Foundation’s safeguarding policies and undergo background checks.
How to Apply
Should you meet the competencies above, please submit your application by clicking the APPLY button below.
The application deadline is Thursday, August 14, 2025.
