Manager, Strategy And Evaluation at African Academy of Sciences

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NO

AAS/MSP/18/001

Department

Programmes

Reporting to

Director – Strategy and Partnerships

Duration

3 Years Renewable

Position Overview

The Manager for Strategy and Evaluation oversees the implementation of the strategy at the AAS, which includes developing a monitoring and evaluation framework, key performance indicators and reporting guidelines to evaluate performance of the AAS and its programmes against plans, budgets and strategic objectives. They will also assist in identifying, articulating, and evaluating current science, technology and innovation (STI) policy issues; transforming ideas and emerging STI challenges into a policymaking framework; and providing a constructive forum for the exchange of ideas and information among key stakeholders.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Work closely with the leadership of the AAS to support the development of an overarching strategy to accelerate science, technology and innovation in Africa and ensure the direction of the scientific research agenda meets the strategic aims of the AAS
• Maintain an overall view on the programmes and ongoing projects ensuring that interdependencies are raised quickly and addressed from a technical and operational perspective
• Lead the implementation of a comprehensive, strategic, goal-based development plan to attract, build, and maintain effective and mutually beneficial relationships with individuals, communities, foundations, and corporations capable of contributing significantly to AAS
• Lead research and analysis across a range of multiple sectors, topics and fields. This will also involve leading horizon scanning activities and contribute to the development of new schemes and initiatives, working in partnership with other funders where appropriate
• Undertake research and assist in the preparation of responses, submissions and reports on matters relating to the regulatory bodies and other stakeholder relations
• Responsible for the management and development of the business’s Key Performance Indicators (KPI) infrastructure to facilitate analysis and reporting of performance against plans and budgets, as well as strategic objectives
• Manages the development of weekly/quarterly/annual performance reports for the programme and functional leaders as well as facilitating cross-functional performance reviews for the leadership
• Supports the maintenance of an effective strategy department inclusive of management, coaching, and development of strategy management personnel and identifying and advising on areas for enhancement and focus
• Develop strategic threat identification and evaluation processes as well as overseeing their adoption across the programmes
• Develops different possible scenarios for the mitigation of possible risks and provides recommendations for the management of these scenarios
• Responsible for the development of weekly/quarterly/annual strategic risk reports for the senior strategy management as well as the organisation’s top leadership
• Plays the role of a strategy coach to all departmental leadership within the business, providing much needed support in the formulation of individual department strategies. The Strategy Manager owns strategic plans and ensures compliance with these strategies.

Professional Qualifications

• Member of a reputable Institute of Scientific Research or relevant professional body

Knowledge and Experience

• Working experience in a strategy position within a scientific and dynamic business environment
• The candidate will have gained substantial exposure to corporate strategy management, with direct exposure to top management strategy formulation and decision making
• Have experience being a central piece of a wide range of strategic decision-making processes and as a result have become comfortable assessing a business and making appropriate choices
• Candidate will be a natural collaborator with an ability to establish and maintain lasting relationships both internally and externally
• Proven experience in facilitating technical and strategic design processes, and developing workflow processes and tools
• Proven experience in leading a team and of direct line management
• Knowledge of Science, Technology and Innovation landscape on the African continent

Skills and Attributes

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to foster and develop close working relationships
• Excellent management and leadership skills; demonstrated ability to build cohesive teams, develop talent, and, achieve organizational goals through teamwork
• Have enthusiasm, commitment to results with good planning and organisational skills
• Strong communication skills, presentational skills and ability to address public audiences
• Good financial and budgeting capability
• Able to work in an international and multi-cultural setting
• High moral standing with impeccable integrity