The SFA Foundation is inviting applications from qualified and motivated professionals for several senior-level positions that contribute directly to its mission of strengthening science, research, and innovation ecosystems across Africa. The foundation continues to expand its programme portfolio, deepen its partnerships, enhance data-driven approaches, and strengthen financial stewardship across its initiatives. To support these efforts, the organisation seeks to recruit competent individuals with strong analytical capacity, proven stakeholder engagement abilities, and a commitment to excellence in programme delivery.
These positions operate at the intersection of programme management, strategic partnership cultivation, data analysis, research support, and financial oversight. The ideal candidates will work collaboratively with colleagues across programmes, as well as with external partners, to advance the foundation’s objectives. Each role carries unique responsibilities that contribute significantly to the success and long-term sustainability of the organisation’s work.
The available positions include Senior Programme Officer – Cohorts and Stakeholder Engagement; Senior Programme Officer – Data Science; and Senior Programme Finance Specialist. Each role offers an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the development and strengthening of scientific capacity and innovation across the continent. The detailed job descriptions below outline the key responsibilities associated with each position.
1.Senior Programme Officer – Cohorts and Stakeholder Engagement
Deadline: Sunday, November 23, 2025
The Senior Programme Officer – Cohorts and Stakeholder Engagement will operate at a strategic level to strengthen and maintain networks, partnerships, and collaborative platforms that support the foundation’s vision. This role requires the capacity to engage diverse stakeholders, including research institutions, government bodies, development partners, private sector organisations, and innovation ecosystems across Africa.
The SPO is responsible for designing, coordinating, and executing engagement strategies targeted at cohorts within programmes and broader sector stakeholders. The individual will also support the development of initiatives that drive visibility, collaborative action, and knowledge exchange. Furthermore, the role requires continuous engagement with internal teams to align partnership activities with programme goals.
Key responsibilities include leading and managing stakeholder mapping exercises to identify potential collaborators, funders, and strategic partners. The SPO will also oversee communication pathways that enhance partner relations and ensure cohesive and sustained engagement. This includes organising events, workshops, and consultative forums that facilitate dialogue, peer learning, and dissemination of programme outcomes.
The role will further involve supporting cohort-based programming by coordinating interactions within cohort groups, tracking cohort progress, and identifying opportunities for greater synergy among participants. The SPO will work with internal programme teams to ensure that cohorts have access to relevant networks, resources, and partnerships that strengthen their individual and collective outcomes.
Additionally, the SPO will contribute to documenting stakeholder engagement processes, developing reports, and ensuring that actionable insights from stakeholder interactions inform programme design and implementation. The officer will also contribute to the development of strategies that increase the foundation’s visibility in the scientific and innovation sectors, including participation in external forums, conferences, and multi-stakeholder engagements.
The person in this position is expected to maintain professional relationships with all stakeholders, uphold high standards in communication, and demonstrate the capacity to manage complex relationships across regional boundaries. The ability to balance internal coordination and external outreach is central to this role.
2.Senior Programme Officer – Data Science
Deadline: Sunday, November 23, 2025
The Senior Programme Officer – Data Science is responsible for driving data-led decision-making within the foundation. This role supports programmes by generating insights derived from robust data analysis, developing analytical tools, and ensuring data harmonisation across initiatives. The officer will work closely with internal programme teams and external data stakeholders to support research, monitoring, and evaluation priorities.
The successful candidate will be expected to collect, clean, analyse, and interpret data from various programme sources. This includes designing and managing databases, applying statistical methods, and developing models that support predictive analysis, trend identification, and evidence-based decision-making. The SPO will also contribute to creating processes that ensure accuracy, relevance, and completeness of data across programme areas.
A key component of the role involves collaborating with stakeholders to standardise data collection and reporting processes. The SPO will support the development of data-sharing frameworks, contribute to data governance structures, and ensure the implementation of best practices in data management. This includes maintaining data quality assurance systems and ensuring the ethical use of data in line with applicable policies and standards.
The officer will support research teams by providing analytical input, preparing datasets, developing visualisations, and generating insights that strengthen research design and thematic analyses. Additionally, the SPO will develop automated tools, dashboards, and analytical models that support programme monitoring and ongoing reporting needs.
Another responsibility of this position is to generate high-quality analytical reports that serve internal planning purposes as well as external reporting requirements. These reports will support funder requirements, organisational planning, and programme evaluations. The SPO will also support cross-programme efforts to harmonise data processes and promote organisational learning.
Furthermore, the SPO will engage with partners including universities, research institutions, and data-focused organisations to strengthen data integration efforts and facilitate collaborative analytical work. The ability to manage multiple datasets, handle complex analytical tasks, and translate analytical results into actionable insights is essential to the role.
3.Senior Programme Finance Specialist
Deadline: Sunday, November 23, 2025
The Senior Programme Finance Specialist plays a vital role in bridging operational financial delivery with broader strategic financial oversight across programme portfolios. This position ensures that programme financial processes are consistent, compliant, and aligned with both funder regulations and internal financial management standards.
The role requires the capacity to supervise Programme Finance Specialists, provide guidance on complex financial matters, and standardise financial workflows within programme finance units. The officer will work closely with programme teams, senior management, and funder representatives to support resource planning, financial reporting, and compliance matters.
Key responsibilities include overseeing budgeting processes, monitoring expenditure against approved budgets, and ensuring that financial forecasts reflect realistic programme trajectories. The Senior Programme Finance Specialist will also support programme managers in interpreting financial data and making informed decisions regarding resource allocation, risk assessment, and programme delivery.
The individual will be tasked with reviewing financial reports for accuracy and completeness before submission to funders and internal leadership. This involves ensuring that reports meet funder-specific requirements and adhere to internal standards. In addition, the role requires responding to complex financial queries from funders and providing thorough explanations supported by clear documentation.
A core aspect of the position is reviewing and improving financial processes across programmes. The Senior Programme Finance Specialist will analyse existing financial workflows, identify inefficiencies, and propose improvements that enhance accountability and streamline operations. This includes developing standard operating procedures, templates, and guidance documents to support consistent financial management across the foundation.
The role also requires contributing to risk management efforts by identifying financial risks, proposing mitigation measures, and collaborating with internal audit and compliance teams. As part of this process, the officer will track financial anomalies, ensure corrective actions are implemented, and verify adherence to internal and external regulations.
Additionally, the position involves building the capacity of programme finance staff through mentorship, training sessions, and continuous professional support. The Senior Programme Finance Specialist will play a significant role in strengthening the overall financial management competency across programmes, ensuring that teams have the necessary skills to meet funder expectations and organisational standards.
The officer will also support proposal development processes by preparing detailed budgets, reviewing financial components, and ensuring alignment with funder requirements. The role requires close collaboration with programme teams to ensure that budget narratives, justifications, and financial plans accurately reflect programme design and resource needs.
Conclusion
These positions represent an opportunity for experienced professionals to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of science, data-driven research, and transparent financial management across Africa. Each role plays a critical part in supporting programme excellence, strengthening partnerships, generating insights, and ensuring that financial operations uphold the highest standards. The SFA Foundation is committed to identifying individuals who will bring expertise, professionalism, and strategic thinking to these positions.
