Job Openings at The Science for Africa Foundation

Principal Duties & Responsibilities
Delivering the Science Research & Innovations Strategy

• Perform programme-relevant research to inform the development, implementation and delivery of the projects falling within the portfolio.
• Work closely with the M&E team to identify, collate, track, assess quality, analyse and validate, and report on programme-related data.
• Identify and build relationships with relevant stakeholders. 
• This may include universities and academic institutions, 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 analysis (data-driven approaches) on various aspects of programme implementation to identify and address important challenges to ensure effective and efficient programme delivery.

Programme Support & Liaison

• Represent SFA Foundation programmes at internal and external meetings when required.
• Work closely with SFA Foundation communications team to develop a media and campaign strategy for projects within the portfolio to ensure maximum exposure and coverage on the continent and beyond and to generate keen interest from potential stakeholders.
• Plan and organise relevant workshops and other activities in furtherance of the objectives of the projects within the portfolio.
• Develop a risk management framework for the programme, including developing and maintaining a risk register for the programme and a system to document, track and ensure programme issues and challenges are resolved in a timely manner.
• Support other SFA Foundation programmes and departments in the delivery of their mandate, especially for cross-cutting programmatic activities when requested.
• Preparing consolidated technical and financial reports from grantees. This involves reviewing reporting templates, liaising with grantees and M&E teams during reporting periods to support their reporting needs, consolidating the reports for internal use and for sharing with relevant funders, and data mining from reports to prepare outcomes and impact reports. 
• Project-specific promotion and marketing, including social media, website page management and/or article writing, working in collaboration with the SFA Foundation communications team.

Person Specifications

• An MSc and/or PhD degree in a recognised Mental Health discipline obtained over the past 5 years; or an MD (Psychiatry, Psychologists, GP with experience working with mental health patients etc), or equivalent training with proven research leadership qualities and experience; and project management skills and experience.

Qualifications and Experience

• A proven record of research capabilities in mental health research as demonstrated by peer-reviewed publications and other quality outputs. 
• At least 5 years of experience working in research/research leadership capacity development, programme design and implementation on the African continent. 
• A professional qualification and relevant experience in large-scale programme/project management or training in research administration, ethics, leadership or related will be an added advantage

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Principal Duties & Responsibilities
Grants Management 

• Manage programme grants and activities as the point 
• person for the programme, engaging with applicants, 
• grantees and partners including providing guidance and feedback on inquiries.
• Manage operations surrounding the entire process of grant management for the programme in collaboration with the Grants Officer. Ensure adherence to the call standards during the application, review, shortlisting and grant awarding process.
• Oversee the grant scheme development by highlighting key funder requirements at the proposal development stage and aim to improve knowledge and access to this information for grant applicants. This is through webinars, information sessions, workshops etc.
• Conduct due diligence of potential applicants and applicant institutions. This involves desktop reviews and physical site visits to potential applicant institutions and the preparation of reports or recommendations which inform specific grant terms and conditions for successful grant applicants. 
• Manage the grant award processes by providing and monitoring systems, processes and procedures to ensure fairness and openness in awarding grants to applicants.

Monitoring and Reporting

• Manage the performance of the programme team in partnership with the Monitoring and Evaluation Manager by setting measurable performance indicators to ensure projects are executed in line with the contract and within agreed timelines
• Develop monitoring reports for funders developed by the fundraising and programmes teams. Develop and disseminate monthly programme highlight reports for the management, staff and committees as necessary. 
• Communicate with senior management on programme status, risks and issues appropriately and timely. 
• Ensure regular and timely communication between project team members.
• Review, implement and update programme records e.g. training matrices, performance reviews, risk assessments.

Advocacy and Relationship Management

• Forge collaborations with science-based communities which share the same vision as the Programme and the SFA Foundation at large within the African continent and globally to build a sustainable programme.
• Engage in discussions with institutions of similar elements which can help promote the vision of the programme through activitiesthat foster added value and future potential initiatives.
• Identify gaps that can be filled by the Foundation’s portfolio of activities that will promote the growth and sustainability of the SFA Foundation and the programme and ensure the Foundation’s services are made relevant to the continent.
• Provide technical support and expertise to the review panels inother programmes by participating in the review of the grant application process.
• Participate in occasional cross-functional meetings to support other departments in achieving their mandate including representing SFA Foundation in consortium meetings. 
• Ensure the values of participation, partnership, sustainability, social responsibility, cost-effectiveness, transparency and accountability are reflected in your work.
• Attend external meetings as a representative of the SFA Foundation as assigned.

Academic Qualifications

• A Master’s/PhD degree in the Science research and interventions of mental health field obtained over the past 
• 7 years with a good track record that bridges mental health 
• R&D with clinical practice e.g. Masters/PhD in Psychiatry, Psychology or related fields Or a Medical Doctor with proven research leadership 
• qualities in mental health R&D and/or clinical experience in carrying out key research work for priority mental health agendas (Psychiatry, Psychologists, General Practitioner with experience working with mental health patients etc).