Programme Officer Job at Science for Africa Foundation

Programme Officer at Science for Africa Foundation

The Science for Africa Foundation (SFA Foundation) is a non-profit, public charity organisation that supports strengthens and promotes science innovation in Africa. The goal of the SFA Foundation is to address the continent’s most pressing developmental needs by generating scientific knowledge that solves problems and informs decision-making.

We serve the African research ecosystem by funding excellent research and innovation ideas; enabling interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers, building and reinforcing environments that are conducive for scientists to thrive and producing quality research that generates new, locally relevant knowledge.

The SFA Foundation takes a holistic approach to the development of science. Our programmatic initiatives are crafted to cater to the entire science ecosystem and span across the value chain from early discovery sciences to translation sciences and target cross-cutting gaps.

Our commitment to strengthening the entire research ecosystem is reflected in the creation of major science and innovation programmes implemented through a well-established grant-making scheme, advocacy, and promotion of scientific excellence, emphasis on intra-Africa collaboration and evidence-based policymaking mechanisms.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Position Title	Programme Officer
Department	Programmes
Reporting To	Programme Manager, Mental Health Research and Development Programme
Position Location	Nairobi, Kenya

JOB PURPOSE

The overall aim of the Programme Officer is to deliver work within the SFA Foundation’s Mental Health Research and Development Programme. The Mental Health Research and Development Programme is designed to advance an enabling, sustainable research environment for mental wellbeing in Africa through the following activities: A) Training future generations of mental health professionals and engaging people with lived experience of mental health challenges; B) Increasing public awareness of mental health research findings to policymakers and other stakeholders and C) Promoting youth-focused approaches to create positive, lasting change in local communities and beyond.

About Being Mental Health Initiative

A core focus of the programme is the Being mental health initiative. Being was launched in 2022 with an emphasis on better understanding the drivers that impact the mental health of young people today from their perspective, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Being is hosted by Grand Challenges Canada (funded in part by the Government of Canada) in partnership with Fondation Botnar, United for Global Mental Health, the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Research, Orygen and SFA Foundation.

The Role

The role of the Programme Officer will entail delivering activities related to Being and other aspects of the mental health research and development programme to ensure that they achieve impact. The incumbent will be a critical member of the SFA team, providing operational and administrative support for a wide range of programme activities. He/She must be a proactive individual who takes initiative and drives projects forward with minimal supervision and is able to make decisions.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Programme Goal Setting & Planning

Assist Programme in implementing the grants management process through topic development/launch stages, triage, review, award selection, due diligence, and grant implementation.
Support the Programme Manager with the strategic development and implementation of programme workstreams as required.
Assist in the provision of secretariat support to relevant steering or expert groups within the programme (e.g., the Being Scientific and Strategy Advisory Board).
Work with the Programme Manager to develop and implement project work plans. Monitor progress and ensure that deadlines and deliverables are met.
Support the recruitment of programmatic consultants, including assisting with drafting RFPs, ToRs, MoUs and tracking payments against agreed milestones and budgets.
Support in the design of various results frameworks (Theory of change, outcome, output, indicators of the programme, reporting tools/schedules).
National and International travel as required to support the Programme Manager.

Research and technical support

Work in close collaboration with the Monitoring and Evaluation 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.
Support the writing and editing of grant proposals and reports, ensuring that proposals are clear, concise, and meet the requirements of funders.
Prepare reports and presentations during annual grantee meetings and site visits.
Perform programme-relevant research to inform the development, implementation and delivery of the projects falling within the portfolio.
Develop manuscripts and opinion pieces for peer review.
Track and perform relevant analyses on various aspects of programme implementation to identify and address important challenges to ensure effective and efficient programme delivery.
Provide technical support to grantees, includes providing guidance on various aspects of the project.

Programme Tracking, Evaluation and Reporting

With close partnership with the Programme Manager, monitor, track and control outcomes, facilitating program team meetings to ensure performance progress and address any emerging issues. Maintain accurate and up-to-date online documentation of program milestones.
Assist track programme spending vis-à-vis agreed programme milestones and continuously check the budget reports for accurate reporting to the funder’s agreed milestones.
Prepare reports, articles and presentations during programme inception meetings, annual grantee meetings, site visits and other meetings as needed.
Work in close collaboration with the M&E team to identify, collate, track, assess quality, analyse and validate, and report on programme-related data.
Track and perform relevant analyses on various aspects of programme implementation to identify and address important challenges to ensure effective and efficient programme delivery.
Assist in developing and monitoring programme-specific performance indicators.

Collaboration and Facilitation

Represent SFA Foundation programmes at internal and external meetings when required.
Work in close collaboration with the SFA Foundation Communications Department to ensure all content (reports, images, videos, social media posts) is relevant and updated on a timely basis according to what is happening in the projects.
Maintain a risk register for the programme and a system to document, track and ensure programme issues and challenges are resolved promptly.
Help to manage shared documentation platforms and folders, ensuring adequate version control and confidentiality and offering ideas for improvements where appropriate.
Support other SFA Foundation programmes and departments in the delivery of their mandate, especially for cross-cutting programmatic activities when requested.
Identifying potential (research) funding opportunities and assisting with the application process.

Event | Conference Planning and Management

Support various networking management activities/ events.
Plan, organise and coordinate and participate in high-level stakeholder meetings/convenings/round table meetings and taking note of action points and follow up
Capture comprehensive stakeholder meeting minutes including action items and deadlines and circulate them promptly to support program implementation.
Scheduling stakeholder meetings and facilitating communication between the programme manager and stakeholders throughout the programme/ initiative life cycle.

Programme Governance

Support the programme in complying with SFA Foundation programme management framework.
Follow up on implementation of audit findings / observations from internal & external audits and/or funder due diligence processes and assist with consolidating audit related tasks/documentation.
Assist in checking programme complies with all its contractual obligations signed with stakeholders and adheres to all applicable standards.
Management of programme documents and records as per SFA Foundation policies and procedures.
Efficient and effective management of programme team meetings, programme structures, etc
Provide administrative support to the programme manager including but not limited to managing budgets, scheduling meetings, and preparing reports.

Academic Qualifications

An undergraduate degree in a relevant science field or business management obtained over the past 5 years. A Masters degree is an added advantage.

Professional Qualifications

A professional qualification and relevant experience in large-scale programme/programme management or training in research administration, ethics, leadership or related will be an added advantage.

Experience

At least 3 years’ experience working in research/research leadership capacity development programme design and implementation on the African continent.
Leadership qualities and experience of carrying out key research work for priority mental health agendas.
Experience in carrying out or coordinating programme management work.

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 be a team player.
Must demonstrate the ability to manage strategic relationships.
Must be an effective communicator and 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 keen on quality.
Must be attentive to details.
Must have excellent presentation and public speaking skills.
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 demonstrate the ability to manage stakeholders.
Mentor and coach grantees