Senior Programme Officer - Leadership Development and Training at The Science for Africa Foundation

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Scientific and Technical Leadership

• Lead the planning, execution, and continuous improvement of the leadership development programme to ensure it produces strong pandemic science leaders in Africa.
• Collaborate closely with the Epidemic and Pandemic Sciences Innovation and Leadership Networks (EPSILONs), Collaborative partners to validate and refine the content, approaches, and learning outcomes of the programme.
• Benchmark with peer institutions that run similar programs to identify best practices and identify areas for improvement across course content, teaching approaches, and assessment strategies.
• Facilitate and integrate peer coaching, communities of practice and mentorship throughout the program to enhance participant development.
• Lead and coordinate participant recruitment, onboarding, and engagement processes to ensure a diverse and well-prepared cohort. This will include maximising participation, retention and learning outcomes throughout the programme.
• Ensure that technical outputs throughout the program cycle, including reports, are of high quality and respond to donor guidelines and requirements.
• Assist in utilising the outputs, networks, and relationships created through the leadership development program to further the organisation’s strategic objectives.
• Serve as the primary liaison between SFA Foundation and external facilitators, mentors, evaluators, and global partners.

Delivering the Science Research & Innovations Strategy

• Guide the integration of strategic foresight, science diplomacy, leadership innovation, and systems thinking into all learning components of the leadership development programme.
• Coordinate visibility pathways for African science leaders to ensure top-performing participants are highlighted through various events and platforms globally.
• Engage African and global institutions, including universities, government departments, think tanks, and intergovernmental organisations, to enhance content delivery, visibility, and the long-term impact of the programme.
• Track and analyse programme implementation data to identify challenges and improve effectiveness and efficiency.
• Work closely with SFA Foundation communications teams to develop a media and campaign strategy for the program to ensure maximum exposure and coverage on the continent and beyond, and to generate keen interest from potential stakeholders.

Programme Support

• Manage all aspects of the program delivery including organizing relevant trainings, workshops, content development, faculty coordination, logistics, and administration.
• Coordinate communication flow among participants, trainers, and collaborators to ensure smooth program operations.
• Monitoring and evaluating programme outcomes and impact, as well as communicating outcomes and learnings to key stakeholders.
• Monitor programme progress, manage budgets, and provide timely technical and financial reports to stakeholders and funders.
• Develop and maintain a risk management framework, including maintaining a risk register and a system for timely resolution of issues and challenges.
• Organise the awarding of a Certificate of Achievement co-issued with global academic partners upon successful completion of courses.
• Provide secretariat support to relevant steering or expert groups as needed.
• Represent SFA Foundation programmes at internal and external meetings when required.
• Support other SFA Foundation programmes and departments in the delivery of their mandate, especially for cross-cutting programmatic activities when requested.

PERSON SPECIFICATIONS

Academic Qualifications

• A PhD degree in a relevant Science/Biomedical/Biosciences/Health research field obtained over the past 10 years, or an MD or equivalent training with proven research leadership qualities and experience.

Professional Qualifications

• A proven record of research capabilities in health/biomedical/biosciences research as demonstrated by peer-reviewed publications and other quality outputs.
• A professional qualification in executive-level leadership development or research administration will be an added advantage.

Experience

• At least 5 years of experience in a leadership role within global health, research, academic, or public sector institutions will be an added advantage.
• Demonstrated experience in designing and delivering high-impact training or leadership programmes at the continental or global level.
• Proven knowledge and experience in health systems leadership, or science-policy interface in African contexts.
• Track record of engaging with African and global scientific, policy, and academic institutions to enhance research, innovation, and leadership networks.