Job Openings at African Centre for Technology Studies

Job Specifications

The Research Fellow will support the work of the STIKS Programme within ACTS, including the on-going Research and Innovation Management project within the Science Granting Council Initiative (SGCI).  She/he will conduct policy-oriented research and dissemination activities for the STIKS Programme as well as day-to-day project implementation activities on the SGCI Research and Innovation project.  

Core Duties of the RF

The Research Fellow will be expected to handle the following core tasks as a minimum at the program level.

• Support the implementation of the Research and Innovation Project.
• Undertake policy research in Science Technology and Innovation (STI).
• Participate in research proposal development related to Science Technology and Innovation.
• Support capacity building activities related to STI.
• Produce high quality policy outputs (not limited to policy briefs, dissemination workshops and knowledge exchange events).
• Support the STIKS Programme Manager in setting and advancing programme direction through writing of strategy documents, and organizing policy outreach events among others.
• Support junior researchers in the program.

Minimum Requirements

The candidate must hold a PhD Degree in a relevant field (e.g. science and technology studies, research and innovation management, innovation studies, development economics, sociology of science, innovation policy, and development studies) from a recognized institution; and have at least the following:

• A minimum of 3 years post PhD research experience in the field of innovation and development studies
• Knowledge in Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning is an added advantage.
• An established publication record (e.g. minimum 4 publications; preferably in peer reviewed journals).
• Evidence of winning research project funding (preferably as principal investigator).
• Evidence of organizing policy dialogue and outreach workshops.
• Proficiency in French is required.

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Job Specifications

The Research Fellow (Grants Management) will support grant management activities of various projects undertaken by ACTS including the on-going Research and Innovation Management project within the Science Granting Council Initiative (SGCI).  

Key Responsibilities of the RF (Grants Management)

• Work with the relevant heads of programs to conduct due diligence on sub-grantees, implementing partners, and consultants’ contracts before any contract/grant agreement is issued.
• Support fund raising activities.
• Prepare contracts, grant agreements and the necessary amendments as required for review and approval in line with the policies.
• Support development of Requests for Proposal, placing advertisements and opening tenders, evaluation of the tenders and negotiating contractual terms in line with the approved policies.
• Convene and coordinate proposals evaluation committees for all bids/tenders.
• Prepare monthly reports on all open contracts, grant agreements and contractual payments.
• Guide on the on boarding of consultants and grantees in line with the procurement policy and documentation requirements.
• Review contracts for all consultants, partners, market actors and suppliers and prompt users of the expiry or near expiry of the contracts and grants.
• Work with the Monitoring, Research & Evaluation (MRE) team to prepare the (Value for Money) VFM report as guided by the donor reporting guidelines.
• Track and report progress of implementation of projects by sub-grantees, consultants and partners.
• Review the financial reports from sub-grantees, consultants, partners, market actors for the grants issued and ensure that they are in compliance with the contractual reporting requirements and the set budgetary- allocations.

Minimum Requirements

• A Master’s degree in Business related fields (Finance or Accounting, Project Management, Economics, Economic and Statistics) or related field with CPA (K) qualification.
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in grants management preferably in NGO / IGO set up.
• Experience in procurement especially in management of contracts and grants.
• Working experience with international donors / funders.
• Ability to analyse contracts/ grants/ any other specialised procurement and anticipate any future contractual challenges taking into account the wider organisation and policy context.
• Strong relationship management and communication skills.
• Resourcefulness and ability to work well in a team offering hands-on support.
• In-depth understanding of contracts management (legal, execution, obligations, responsibilities and rights).

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Job Specifications

The Research Fellow will head and support the development of the newly established Gender, Youth and Inclusive Development Programme within ACTS. He/she will contribute towards strengthening the participation of women, youth and marginalised groups in the development, deployment, application and utilization of science, technology, and innovation for sustainable and inclusive development. Specifically, the Research Fellow will be expected to handle the following core tasks as a minimum at the program level.

• Provide leadership to the programme.
• Support the integration of gender, youth and inclusive development in all projects undertaken in all the five programs of the organisation.
• Mobilise resources through proposals development targeting projects in gender, youth and inclusive development.
• Undertake policy research, capacity building and training
• Support capacity building activities related to STI, gender, youth, and inclusive development.
• Produce high quality policy outputs (not limited to policy briefs, dissemination workshops and knowledge exchange events).
• Support junior researchers in the program.

Minimum Requirements

The candidate must hold a PhD Degree in a gender, youth and inclusive development or relevant field from a recognized institution; and have at least the following:

• A minimum of 3 years post PhD research experience in the field of gender, youth and inclusive development
• An established publication record (e.g. minimum 4 publications; preferably in peer reviewed journals).
• Evidence of winning research project funding (preferably as principal investigator).
• Evidence of organizing policy dialogue and outreach workshops.
• Management and leadership experience.

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Job Specifications

The Research Fellow will support the work of the STIKS Programme within ACTS, including the on-going Research and Innovation Management project.  She/he will support implementation of public private partnership (PPP) projects, other technology transfer related projects and also conduct policy-oriented research and dissemination activities.

Core Duties of the RF

The Research Fellow will be expected to handle the following core tasks as a minimum at the program level:

• Support the implementation of the Research and Innovation Project.
• Undertake research in Technology Transfer (TT), Intellectual Property (IP) and Commercialization.
• Support junior researchers in the programme.
• Participate in research proposal development related to Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property and Commercialization.
• Support capacity building activities related to Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property and Commercialization.
• Produce high quality policy outputs (not limited to policy briefs, dissemination workshops and knowledge exchange events).
• Support the STIKS Programme Manager in setting and advancing programme direction through writing of strategy documents, and organizing policy outreach events among others.

Minimum Requirements

The candidate must hold a PhD Degree in a relevant field (e.g. technology transfer, intellectual property management, commercialisation, technology studies, innovation studies, knowledge management) from a recognized institution; and have at least the following:

• A minimum of 3 years post PhD research experience in the field of technology transfer, intellectual property management, and commercialisation.
• Knowledge in Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning is an added advantage.
• An established publication record (e.g. minimum 4 publications; preferably in peer reviewed journals).
• Evidence of winning research project funding (preferably as principal investigator).
• Evidence of organizing policy dialogue and outreach workshops.

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To support these, ACTS has introduced a new senior role, the Strategic Business Development Manager, reporting directly to the Executive Director of ACTS. The successful candidate will bring commercial skill and acumen to package key ACTS projects with near-market potential into viable business proposals and drive their implementation as well as drive the commercial realisation of the Konza institute, including marketing strategy, stakeholder engagement, financial modelling, fundraising and execution support.

The Strategic Business Development Manager will be required to:

• Coordinate the implementation of ACTS Konza Business Plan (2023-2026) including proposition articulation, partner identification and outreach, marketing, investment fundraising, commercial oversight.
• Be the commercial face of the ACTS Konza Institute and ensure that the Institute becomes internationally recognised as a centre of excellence and the “go to” organisation in Africa for the application of advanced data science.
• In collaboration with researchers, formulate and successfully implement business plans for ACTS internal IP for exploitation as companies, joint ventures or other collaborative activities and secure the investment finance needed to grow these opportunities.
• Coordinate ACTS consultancy services in support of the above goals.
• Over time, build a commercial team to deliver the above goals.
• Proactively guide and build the internal (ACTS Staff) capacity on enterprise development, commercialization, and investment readiness.

 IDEAL CANDIDATE SHOULD HAVE THE FOLLOWING:

• BSc and MSc in a relevant scientific, engineering or business management subject. An MBA is highly desirable.
• At least 5 years of demonstrable experience in senior business development, consulting and strategic planning.
• Proven track record of investment finance raising from major corporates / donors / funders both in the commercial sector and those related to research and commercialization of technology innovations.
• Sound financial skills and the ability to create clear and compelling business cases. The candidate should be fully conversant with business modelling and creation of financial plans including P&L, cashflow and balance sheet projections.
• A good technical understanding and an ability to work with researchers and innovators to develop ideas and identify the overlap between potential solutions and established problems.
• An understanding of the technology innovation and  commercialization context in Africa is an added advantage.
• Experience working with STI think tanks Regionally and Globally would be an advantage but is not essential
• Self-driven with the ability to work independently and lead teams to deliver on strategic goals.
• Demonstrated experience in coordinating and facilitating the development of major investment proposals to corporate entities, institutional, trust, foundations and philanthropic donors.
• Excellent communication skills, able to interact with individuals at the highest levels in Government and the commercial sector (Ministerial / Board levels)
• Ability to create clear and compelling proposals in powerpoint and as written documents
• Highly developed international networking skills and ability to form productive working relationships with a wide range of internal colleagues and stakeholders.
• Experience in project and change management related to organisational development projects and international, cross-functional teams with a proven history of delivering results.
• A high degree of attention to detail and the ability to lead key tasks (e.g proposal development) to on-time completion under significant pressure.
• Knowledge of the application of Intellectual Property Rights and licensing is highly desirable.