The Science for Africa Foundation (SFA Foundation) is a pan-African, non-profit, public charity organization that envisions a transformed continent powered by science and innovation. With a mission to support, strengthen, and promote scientific research and innovation across Africa, SFA Foundation stands as a vital bridge between ideas and implementation. Its work addresses some of the most pressing developmental challenges on the continent by fostering locally-driven scientific solutions.
SFA Foundation’s comprehensive and inclusive approach spans across the research and innovation value chain—supporting everything from early-stage discovery science to translation science and applied innovation. Through its robust grant-making framework, it empowers African researchers, nurtures collaborations, and enhances institutional capacity while ensuring that policy and decision-making are backed by rigorous scientific evidence.
To drive this bold mission further, the Foundation is seeking a dynamic, experienced, and highly strategic professional to fill the position of Manager – Grants Operations. Based in Nairobi, Kenya, this position will play a pivotal role in ensuring the operational integrity and strategic alignment of grant administration and implementation.
Position Overview
Job Title: Manager – Grants Operations
Department: Finance and Grants
Reporting To: Chief Financial Officer
Duty Station: Nairobi, Kenya
Job Purpose
The Manager – Grants Operations is responsible for delivering excellence in the design, execution, and compliance of the entire grant lifecycle, from call creation to final closure. The role requires close collaboration with internal departments and external funders to maintain operational integrity, ensure transparency, and promote a culture of compliance and service.
The ideal candidate will act as a key point of contact for grant operations at the Foundation—leading system optimization, overseeing funder relations, ensuring consistent application of internal and external standards, and contributing to the strategic design of grant mechanisms that respond to Africa’s scientific needs.
Detailed Job Description
1. End-to-End Grants Administration
- Lead compliance oversight for the full grants management process—call design, application review, award decisions, implementation, and closure.
- Collaborate with program teams on the drafting, negotiation, and administration of funder agreements, sub-awards, amendments, and contracts.
- Ensure each grant cycle adheres to both funder regulations and the Foundation’s governance policies.
- Oversee the tracking and reporting of timelines, milestones, deliverables, and closure protocols.
- Provide compliance and quality inputs for the development of application materials, ensuring they meet governance expectations and funding criteria.
- Guide the implementation of transparent and auditable peer review processes, including conflict-of-interest management and documentation.
- Coordinate funding committee operations and ensure the accuracy and governance of decision-making records.
- Partner with program leads to conduct internal quality assurance mock reviews before calls are launched.
2. Management of Funder Agreements and Relationships
- Maintain and oversee a repository of funder agreements, ensuring all deliverables and compliance requirements are tracked and met.
- Serve as the central liaison for all funder-related operational matters, including financial and narrative reporting, communication, and audits.
- Proactively engage funders to address operational concerns and maintain positive, transparent relationships.
- Ensure timely, accurate submission of required reports, and foster a culture of trust and excellence with external partners.
3. Grants Systems Management
- Manage the Foundation’s Grant Management System (GMS), ensuring data accuracy, system integrity, and continuous usability improvements.
- Train and support staff across departments in the effective use of GMS tools and ensure the system integrates smoothly with program workflows.
- Generate executive dashboards and compliance reports that inform strategic decisions.
- Collaborate with IT teams and system vendors to enhance functionality and address technical issues.
- Oversee the overall user experience of grant application systems, prioritizing accessibility and integration.
4. Assurance, Risk, and Compliance Oversight
- Design and manage a robust compliance framework that monitors all grants for internal control alignment and funder-specific expectations.
- Conduct desk reviews and internal audits to identify risks and recommend improvements.
- Maintain comprehensive audit-ready documentation for all grant processes.
- Collaborate with legal, finance, and compliance teams to address issues promptly and proactively resolve implementation roadblocks.
5. Stakeholder Support and Training
- Serve as a responsive and knowledgeable resource for program, MEL, finance, and leadership teams on all matters related to grant operations.
- Conduct training sessions for program teams and grantees on funding policies, eligibility criteria, system usage, and compliance standards.
- Develop and distribute user-friendly templates, FAQs, guides, and other tools that build internal and external capacity.
- Support applicants through clear communication and guidance on application and submission procedures.
- Facilitate the onboarding of new team members and ensure they understand the grant-making environment at SFA Foundation.
6. Documentation and Continuous Improvement
- Lead the development and ongoing update of grants manuals, SOPs, toolkits, and knowledge-sharing platforms.
- Capture feedback and lessons learned to improve operational workflows and enhance the effectiveness of future grant cycles.
- Align with legal and compliance teams to ensure that changes in regulatory or funder requirements are reflected in operational protocols.
Key Result Areas
- Timely execution and transparent documentation of grant calls, award cycles, and closeouts.
- Effective and auditable use of grant management systems, enabling executive oversight and board-level reporting.
- Continuous enhancement of program teams’ readiness to manage grants through strategic support and training.
- High satisfaction from internal and external stakeholders, including funders and grantees.
- Regular updates to operational policies, tools, and guidance based on implementation feedback and evolving best practices.
Candidate Profile
Academic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Development, Public Administration, Finance, Business, or related fields.
- Master’s degree or professional certifications (e.g., CRA, PMP, NCURA, NGMA) are highly desirable and will be an added advantage.
Professional Experience
- Minimum of seven (7) years in grants operations or research administration, including at least three (3) years in a managerial role.
- Strong background in managing grants from bilateral, multilateral, or philanthropic funders, with sound knowledge of compliance frameworks.
- Proven experience working collaboratively with program, finance, and legal teams to drive effective and compliant grant implementation.
- Demonstrated expertise in grant management systems and database-driven tracking.
- Familiarity with the African research ecosystem and comfort in engaging with researchers, funders, and institutions.
Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes
- Strong interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to translate complex procedures into practical solutions.
- Excellent communication and problem-solving abilities.
- Capacity to lead, coach, and build the capabilities of diverse teams.
- Proactive and adaptable, with a strong focus on continuous learning and process improvement.
- High ethical standards, integrity, and a commitment to professional excellence.
Leadership and Personal Competencies
- Visionary leadership that aligns operational excellence with broader organizational goals.
- Strong judgment and diplomacy in handling complex grant and compliance scenarios.
- Ability to drive policy updates, system enhancements, and process reforms.
- Capacity to train others and instill a strong culture of grants management and compliance.
- Positive, solutions-oriented approach in fast-paced and evolving environments.
Why Join the SFA Foundation?
The Manager – Grants Operations role offers an exciting opportunity to shape the future of scientific funding in Africa. By joining the SFA Foundation, you will be part of a mission-driven team that works across borders and disciplines to empower African science and innovation. You will be positioned at the forefront of systems improvement, process transparency, and funder engagement—working alongside some of the most visionary leaders in African science policy and philanthropy.
At SFA Foundation, we prioritize integrity, inclusiveness, and excellence. We provide a dynamic work environment that supports growth, collaboration, and real impact. You will have the opportunity to contribute to Africa’s scientific future, while developing your career in one of the continent’s most forward-thinking science organizations.
How to Apply
If you believe you have the qualifications, passion, and drive to take up this rewarding leadership position, we encourage you to apply before the deadline.
The application deadline is Tuesday, August 5, 2025.
Should you meet the competencies above, please submit your application by clicking the APPLY button below.
Please note: The SFA Foundation is committed to safeguarding people and the environment. All shortlisted candidates will undergo background checks in alignment with our safeguarding policy.
For more about our work, focus areas, and impact, visit our official website at www.scienceforafrica.foundation.
