Essential Job Details

• Position Title: Senior Programme Officer — Grand Challenges Africa
• Location: Nairobi, Kenya
• Employment Type: Full-Time
• Number of Vacancies: 1
• Salary: Competitive, based on qualifications and experience
• Category/Department: Programmes / Science Innovation & Translation
• Reporting To: Programme Manager
• Application Deadline: 13th June 2025

Introduction

An extraordinary opportunity exists for experienced professionals seeking to advance their careers in NGO jobs in Kenya. The Science for Africa Foundation (SFA Foundation), a dynamic non-profit organisation committed to advancing Africa-led science and innovation, invites applications for the Senior Programme Officer (Grand Challenges Africa) position based in Nairobi. This high-impact role provides a platform for an experienced researcher and programme leader to influence science policy, manage complex grant cycles, and foster regional collaborations that address Africa’s most pressing developmental needs.

About Science for Africa Foundation (SFA Foundation)

The Science for Africa Foundation (SFA Foundation) is a pan-African, non-profit organisation dedicated to building strong, resilient, and sustainable science ecosystems across the continent. Operating as a public charity, SFA Foundation supports research excellence, fosters interdisciplinary collaborations, strengthens institutional capacity, and drives scientific innovations that directly contribute to Africa’s socioeconomic development.

The Foundation’s holistic approach spans early discovery sciences to translational research, ensuring that the entire value chain of science and innovation thrives. Through strategic grant-making, advocacy, evidence-based policymaking, and intra-African collaborations, SFA Foundation empowers scientists and research institutions to generate new knowledge, solve local challenges, and influence decision-making processes.

One of SFA Foundation’s flagship initiatives is Grand Challenges Africa (GC Africa) — a collaborative platform that awards seed and scale-up grants to Africa’s most promising scientific solutions aimed at achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Supported by the Gates Foundation and other global partners, GC Africa amplifies African leadership in science and fosters cutting-edge innovations that improve lives across the continent.

Key Responsibilities

Scientific and Technical Leadership:

• Lead full programme management cycles, from conceptualisation to execution, ensuring effective delivery of Grand Challenges Africa mandates.
• Contribute to strategic planning, budgeting, and programme design in alignment with organisational priorities.
• Oversee technical and financial management of grants, ensuring Value for Money (VFM) throughout programme lifecycles.
• Develop high-quality technical outputs, reports, and deliverables that adhere to donor guidelines.
• Liaise with SFA Foundation communications team to promote programme activities via social media, websites, articles, and public campaigns.
• Identify and manage programme risks, challenges, and mitigation strategies through structured risk management frameworks.
• Select and manage expert peer reviewers, selection panels, and advisory boards.
• Monitor and evaluate programme outcomes, using data-driven approaches to track impact and communicate learnings to stakeholders.
• Prepare consolidated technical and financial reports for both internal use and donor reporting.

Programme Operations & Stakeholder Engagement:

• Establish and maintain collaborative partnerships with African universities, research institutions, governments, think tanks, and intergovernmental organisations.
• Engage regularly with SFA Foundation funders, steering committees, and external partners.
• Conduct stakeholder mapping and relationship-building exercises that support cross-continental collaboration.
• Support evidence-based science policy development, leveraging programme outputs for wider advocacy.
• Provide secretariat support to technical steering groups, ensuring timely reporting, meeting coordination, and documentation.
• Utilise programme outputs to drive the SFA Foundation’s broader strategic research and innovation agenda.

Research and Data Analysis:

• Conduct in-depth research to inform project design, grant awards, and programme evaluations.
• Collaborate with Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) teams to assess programme data, outcomes, and quality metrics.
• Perform real-time analyses to identify operational bottlenecks and propose corrective actions.
• Prepare knowledge products, such as reports, articles, conference presentations, and data-driven insights.

Programme Support and Administration:

• Represent SFA Foundation at national, continental, and global scientific forums.
• Coordinate media and outreach campaigns to enhance programme visibility across Africa and globally.
• Supervise administrative teams handling procurement, budgeting, and logistical deliverables.
• Organise workshops, technical meetings, annual grantee events, and site visits.
• Manage programme issue logs, maintaining comprehensive documentation and timely resolution of programme challenges.
• Support cross-cutting initiatives within SFA Foundation, contributing to multi-programme synergies and knowledge sharing.

Qualifications and Skills

Academic Requirements:

• PhD degree in Biomedical Sciences, Health Research, Biosciences, Public Health, Artificial Intelligence, Data Modeling, or other relevant scientific disciplines obtained within the past 10 years.
• Alternatively, MD or equivalent clinical training with proven leadership in research and programme management.

Professional Experience:

• Proven research capabilities evidenced by peer-reviewed publications and knowledge outputs.
• 3–5 years’ experience managing or leading science capacity development, research administration, or programme implementation in Africa.
• Experience with large-scale grant programme management highly desirable.
• Prior training or professional qualifications in research administration, ethics, leadership, or project management offer added advantage.
• Familiarity with translating scientific research into actionable public policy strongly preferred.

Core Competencies:

• In-depth knowledge of Africa’s science, innovation, and research ecosystems.
• Capacity to lead high-level multidisciplinary teams across international boundaries.
• Advanced analytical skills in programme monitoring, data synthesis, and reporting.
• Outstanding organisational skills for managing complex programme portfolios and multiple concurrent workstreams.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and public speaking abilities.
• Demonstrated experience in working with international donors, governments, and intergovernmental agencies.
• Ethical leadership and strong professional integrity aligned with non-profit governance standards.

Technical Expertise:

• Proficiency in project management software, data analytics platforms, and grant administration tools.
• Familiarity with African regulatory environments governing research ethics and grant compliance.
• Knowledge of global and African science funding landscapes and grant-making mechanisms.
• Ability to navigate high-level donor relations while safeguarding programme objectives.

Company Culture and Values

SFA Foundation embodies a collaborative, mission-driven, and inclusive culture that supports Africa’s science community:

• Africa-Led Science: Empowering African researchers to lead transformational projects that solve local challenges.
• Scientific Excellence: Promoting quality research that meets global standards of rigour and relevance.
• Partnerships: Building robust networks among researchers, governments, funders, and policymakers.
• Integrity: Operating under high standards of transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct.
• Capacity Development: Investing in institutional strengthening, mentorship, and talent development for Africa’s next generation of scientists.
• Inclusivity: Promoting gender balance, diversity, and representation across scientific leadership structures.
• Sustainability: Driving long-term impact through evidence-based programming, robust M&E, and policy integration.

How to Apply

Apply now for the NGO Jobs in Kenya – Senior Programme Officer – Science for Africa Foundation (SFA Foundation) 2025 position.

Application Requirements:

• Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Comprehensive Cover Letter outlining suitability for the position
• Certified Academic Certificates and Transcripts
• Copies of National ID or Passport
• At least three professional referees

Submission Instructions:

• Submit applications online via: https://scienceforafrica.foundation/vacancies/senior-programme-officer-grand-challenges-africa
• Application Deadline: 13th June 2025

Important Notice: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. SFA Foundation adheres to strict safeguarding policies for people and environment as part of pre-employment vetting.

Additional Engagement

View More Job Opportunities
Explore more vacancies at
Browse verified jobs on https://jobkenya.org/

Free WhatsApp Channel for Job Seekers
Get real-time alerts from our
WhatsApp Channel for Job Updates: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029ValRUem7DAX1gmkC7y2K

TAGS:

ngo jobs in kenya, non governmental organizations jobs in kenya, ngo jobs vacancies in kenya, science programme officer jobs in kenya, health research jobs in kenya, biosciences jobs in kenya, science for africa foundation jobs