Senior Programme Officer - Climate, Health, Agriculture and Biodiversity at The Science for Africa Foundation

JOB PURPOSE

• The Senior Programme Officer has as his/her primary responsibility to deliver project activities within the Climate, Health, Agriculture and Biodiversity (C-HAB) Programme portfolio, support research networks and consortia, liaise with comparative research networks, as well as special initiatives and projects. The SPO C-HAB supports in designing, planning, implementing and supporting activities of C-HAB.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Scientific and Technical 

• Leverage sector-specific knowledge and skills in the effective design and implementation of the C-HAB programme and the development of new initiatives.
• Support the line manager by organising and participating in environment scanning and scientific meetings related to the initiatives being implemented and foster strategic contacts with relevant researchers, professional associations and regional organisations. Assist in developing evidence-based positions on climate, health, agriculture and bio-diversity research and innovation policy issues linked to the core work. 
• Support the preparation of research and funding proposals on themes connected to their areas of expertise as may be requested by the line manager. 
• Assist in utilising the outputs, networks and relationships created through the Programme to further the organisation’s strategic objectives. 
• Provide secretariat support to the programme and relevant steering or expert group meetings.
• Liaise with funding organisations under the direction of the line manager and any other senior executive management team member as required.
• Lead activities within the C-HAB programme strategy through the full programme cycle while ensuring their desired impact. 
• Deliver - through matrix reporting and work culture with colleagues - financial and programmatic reporting, impact measurement and reporting, and due diligence reviews on budget-holding institutions. 
• Work in close collaboration with other SFA Foundation-managed programmes through the provision of operational and research support to achieve the overall strategic goals. 

Research Support

• Perform programme-relevant research to inform the development, implementation and delivery of the projects falling within the portfolio. 
• Work in close collaboration with the M&E team to identify, collate, track, assess quality, analyse, validate, and report on programme-related data. 
• Identify and build relationships with relevant stakeholders involved in relevant areas of research and research leadership, capacity development but not limited to universities and other research institutions. This may include relevant African government departments and policymakers, Africa-based and international Think Tanks, and intergovernmental organisations etc. 
• Prepare reports, articles and presentations during programme inception meetings, annual grantee meetings and site visits.  
• Track and perform relevant analyses on various aspects of programme implementation to identify and address important challenges to ensure effective and efficient programme delivery. 

Programme Support 

• Participate in the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned projects, etc.; monitor and analyse project development and implementation.
• Review relevant documents and reports; identify issues to be addressed and propose corrective actions; liaise with the line manager; identify and track follow-up actions.
• Assist in the review, analysis and evaluation of relevant key issues and trends
• Prepare draft reports such as literature reviews, inputs into publications, analyses and make presentations on assigned activities.
• Support training workshops and seminars and may lead these as necessary.
• Be prepared to travel across Africa and globally to represent the programme and the organization at national and international scientific and programme meetings as required.
• Work in collaboration with the SFA Foundation Communications Manager to ensure all content (reports, images, videos, social media posts) is relevant and updated on a timely basis. 
• Deliver administrative team duties in support of the projects within the portfolio e.g. work with the SFA Foundation procurement team to monitor deliverables (including supplies), and being the contact person for projects within the programme.
• Maintain a risk register for the programme and a system to document, track and ensure programme issues and challenges are resolved promptly.
• Enable programming across cross-cutting organizational initiatives including gender, equity, diversity and inclusion; monitoring, evaluation and learning; risk assessment and management; good financial grant practice; budget control and review, open access publishing; institutional strengthening and public engagement in science.

Support to Grant Management 

• Coordinate budget and funding-related activities, including project plan preparation, progress reports, and financial reports; and prepare related documentation such as work plans and project budget budgets.
• Work with the Programme Support Office to manage calls for proposals and co-ordinate project activities throughout the grant cycles: prepare RFPs, issue calls, receive applications, screen applications, assess results, convene meetings for proposal review committees, assist to identify and invite members for the committees, develop SOPs and criteria for selection and award and arrange pitching sessions as needed.
• Provide post-award support to grantees: Grantee follow-up & engagement; track and address issues arising. 
• Grantee capacity building: Inception meetings, recruitment, and management of capacity-building service providers. 
• Grant monitoring: Site visits, QA & QM, evaluation (Baseline studies, mid & end term evaluations/reports,) knowledge management  
• Manage grant closeout procedures. 

PERSON SPECIFICATIONS

Minimum Academic Qualifications

• A Master’s degree or PhD in natural, climate or social sciences or other relevant Climate Science research field obtained over the past 5 years; or equivalent proven research experience in a field of climate change e.g. adaptation or resilience.  
• Training in research administration, ethics, leadership or related filed will be an added advantage; or equivalent proven research experience in a field of climate change e.g. adaptation or resilience. Leadership qualities and experience in carrying out key research work for priority health agendas.  

Professional Qualifications

• A minimum of five years of relevant experience in project or programme implementation, policy advocacy and stakeholder engagement one of the following: climate change, biodiversity, agriculture, environment, One Health.
• Excellent oral and writing skills in English and proficiency in French or Portuguese are an added advantage.

Experience

• Experience in implementing projects related to climate change and agriculture, biodiversity or health. 
• Experience in policy advocacy and stakeholder engagement and working with multidisciplinary teams and multi-partner projects.

Knowledge, Skills and Attributes

• Must have a high level of integrity.
• Must understand and demonstrate the Foundation’s values such as respect, accountability, excellence, diversity and inclusion. 
• Must demonstrate the ability to build strategic relationships.
• Must be an effective communicator and have excellent problem-solving skills.
• Must be a critical thinker and innovative.
• Must demonstrate the ability to make decisions, plan, organise and manage work.
• Must have a high level of adaptability, engagement readiness and fast thinking.
• Must have the capability to initiate action and be keen on quality.
• Must be attentive to details and be results-focused.
• Must demonstrate the ability to collaborate and build trust with others.

Leadership Competencies

• Must have proven and demonstrated leadership skills such as delegating responsibilities, developing others, facilitating change and leading through vision and values.
• Must possess the ability to build a successful team.
• Must demonstrate the ability to manage stakeholders.
• Mentor and coach juniors.

Key Results Areas

• Benefits of all assigned activities delivered within budget, to time and consistent with commitments to funders and agreed-upon targets. 
• Schemes delivered following best practices in scheme management, steering group secretarial support, and effective use of the Agaseke electronic Grants Management System.
• Strong working relationships with all key stakeholders including staff, other delivery partners, and beneficiaries. 
• Maintaining an attractive and accurate outward profile of activities through the website and other materials. 
• Strong knowledge of SFA Foundation policies and procedures, and their application in grants management. 

Deadline: Friday, February 9, 20241