The Science for Africa Foundation (SFA Foundation) is a non-profit, public charity organisation committed to supporting, strengthening, and promoting science and innovation in Africa. Our goal 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, and building environments where scientists can thrive.
As part of our holistic approach to scientific development, we are launching a major science and innovation programme, the Africa Pandemic Sciences Collaborative. This is a high-profile, multi-year partnership between the SFA Foundation, the Pandemic Sciences Institute (PSI) at the University of Oxford, and the Mastercard Foundation. To achieve our ambitious goals, we are seeking a dedicated and highly skilled Finance Manager – Training to strengthen financial governance and capacity within African partner organisations.
Position: Finance Manager – Training
Department: Finance, Grants, and Procurement
Reporting To: Head of Finance, Grants and Procurement
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Job Purpose
The Finance Manager – Training will play a pivotal role in enhancing financial governance and capacity in African partner organisations. This position requires an experienced finance professional with exceptional training and facilitation skills to co-create and deliver tailored financial solutions. The role involves designing and implementing financial training programs that empower institutions to adopt best practices in financial governance, including the Good Financial Grant Practice (GFGP) standard.
Key Responsibilities
Capacity Building and Training
- Design and deliver financial capacity-strengthening programs for seven African organisations, with potential expansion to additional partners.
- Conduct regular travel within Africa to provide in-person training and mentorship.
- Develop and implement a training of trainers program for grant accountants at the SFA Foundation, focusing on best financial governance practices.
- Create culturally and locally relevant training materials, incorporating regional financial practices and examples.
- Use immersive, practical, and innovative training methods to enhance learning outcomes and engagement.
- Conduct sensitisation and familiarisation workshops to develop tailored training approaches for different institutions.
- Facilitate hands-on learning experiences, adapting training delivery methods to suit diverse learning styles and cultural contexts.
Strategic Co-Creation and Collaboration
- Collaborate with the University of Oxford PSI Senior Capacity Development Manager and other stakeholders to design and refine training programs.
- Build credibility and professional relationships with senior institutional leaders, including Provosts, Vice Chancellors, and Chief Financial Officers.
- Work cross-culturally to harmonise financial governance strategies among diverse stakeholders.
Program Development and Continuous Improvement
- Conduct detailed assessments of partner institutions’ financial policies and practices against global best practices.
- Develop tailored on-the-job implementation approaches, including Gap Analyses, to strengthen financial systems.
- Oversee the creation of high-quality training materials, collaborating with external consultants when needed.
- Evaluate training effectiveness through surveys, performance metrics, and participant feedback, using insights to improve content and delivery.
Mentorship and Support
- Provide mentorship and hands-on guidance to finance professionals at partner institutions.
- Support partner organisations in the application of financial principles to enhance confidence and proficiency.
- Champion the implementation of Good Financial Grant Practice (GFGP) standards, securing buy-in from key stakeholders.
Programme and Stakeholder Management
- Establish and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with key stakeholders to ensure the success of training initiatives.
- Align training programs with organisational goals, working with internal departments to identify additional capacity-building needs.
- Ensure financial governance structures are designed for long-term sustainability and impact.
- Provide input into programmatic reports and updates at key programmatic meetings.
Skills and Competencies
- Deep understanding of financial principles, accounting standards, and grant management practices.
- Expertise in the Good Financial Grant Practice (GFGP) standard or similar quality standards.
- Exceptional facilitation and training skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders effectively.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to develop and implement tailored financial training strategies aligned with institutional goals.
- Strong relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills, with experience in securing buy-in from senior leadership.
- Cultural sensitivity and adaptability in training delivery across different organisational and regional contexts.
- Strong project management and organisational skills, with the ability to effectively manage multiple tasks and priorities.
Who We Are Looking For
- A highly experienced finance professional with over 10 years of experience in finance roles across diverse organisations, including African institutions.
- An expert in financial governance, with prior experience working with international funders, accreditation bodies, and certifying organisations.
- Someone with a passion for financial training and capacity building, possessing excellent communication and public speaking skills.
- A strategic thinker who can develop and deliver culturally relevant training solutions in finance.
- An individual with exceptional problem-solving skills and the ability to foster engagement across multiple stakeholders.
Why Join Us?
- Be part of a transformative initiative that is strengthening financial governance in Africa’s leading research institutions.
- Work with top-tier organisations, including the University of Oxford and Mastercard Foundation.
- Travel across Africa, engaging with leading universities, research institutions, and funding bodies.
- Play a key role in building sustainable financial systems that enhance research excellence in Africa.
- Be part of an innovative and dynamic team dedicated to promoting science and innovation across the continent.
How to Apply
If you meet the requirements and are excited about this opportunity, we invite you to apply. Please submit the following documents:
- A cover letter (maximum two pages) explaining why you are interested in this role and how your skills and experience make you a suitable candidate.
- A current Curriculum Vitae (CV) not exceeding five pages, including three professional referees.
Email your application to [email protected] by Friday, 28 February 2025. Ensure your documents are saved in MS Word or PDF format and follow this naming convention:
First Name-Last Name-Document Name-Date (mmyy)
Example: Deus-Wan-CV-092022-SFAFoundation or Deus-Wan-CoverLetter-092022-SFAFoundation.
This is a rare opportunity to make a lasting impact in the African research landscape. Join us in shaping the future of financial governance and scientific innovation in Africa!
