Senior Program Specialist at International Development Research Centre

Pursue a Career with Impact

SENIOR PROGRAM SPECIALIST – SCIENCE GRANTING COUNCILS INITIATIVE IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Term to June 30, 2023 – Nairobi, Kenya

As a Senior Program Specialist, reporting to the Program Leader, Foundations for Innovation (FI), you will work closely with FI colleagues based at IDRC’s Regional Office for sub-Saharan Africa (Nairobi, Kenya) on the SGCI. You will help design, manage, monitor and evaluate various aspects of the Initiative. This will involve working closely with a number of implementing organizations (Collaborating Technical Agencies) as well as the Councils and governments in participating countries. It involves active engagement with counterparts at South Africa’s National Research Foundation (NRF) as well as the other funding partners on program implementation and reporting, respectively.

We are particularly interested in candidates with proven research and/or programming experience in low- and middle-income countries notably in sub-Saharan Africa, in science, technology and innovation (STI) systems, and the organizations and institutions that underpin such systems as well as STI funding. Candidates should be bilingual at an advanced level in French and English. Women are particularly encouraged to apply.

Overview of Qualifications

• A PhD and a record of publications in a field related to science, technology and innovation (STI), STI policies and the role of STI in development
• Eight years’ relevant experience which includes research, research management and/or programming in developing regions, particularly in Africa, on issues related to STI/ related policies as well as the organizations that support STI
• Bilingual position (French and English) at advanced level – Portuguese is an asset
• Knowledge of the role of STI in development, including the contribution of STI to the private, not-for-profit and public sectors; as well as the role of STI in Africa 2030