Senior Programme Officer – CJF

The Science for Africa Foundation (SFA Foundation) is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing scientific leadership and innovation across the African continent, fostering a culture of respect, accountability, diversity, equity, inclusion, and excellence.

The Science for Africa Foundation is seeking an experienced Senior Programme Officer to oversee the Calestous Juma Science Leadership Fellowship (CJF), a key leadership development initiative for accomplished African scientists. This role is crucial for shaping science, policy, innovation, and sustainable development across the continent. The officer will be responsible for the program's implementation and visibility, with a strong emphasis on science communication, knowledge dissemination, and promoting the Fellows' profiles. This involves translating intricate scientific, leadership, and program information into clear, engaging, and accessible content for various audiences, while also ensuring the effective delivery of Fellowship activities. The position requires close collaboration with Fellows, faculty, program teams, science communications, funding partners, and other stakeholders to produce high-quality communication materials, strengthen Fellows' thought leadership, document program outcomes, and support communication throughout the Fellowship lifecycle. Additionally, the role contributes to program coordination, stakeholder engagement, reporting, and learning. The ideal candidate will possess strong science communication and storytelling abilities, excellent writing and editing skills, an understanding of scientific and research environments, and the capacity to work effectively across diverse African contexts.

1. Contribute to developing and implementing communication plans for the CJ Fellowship, aligning with program and organizational priorities.
2. Identify target audiences, key messages, and suitable communication channels for Fellowship activities, research, leadership outcomes, and impact.
3. Translate scientific, technical, and leadership content into clear, accessible, and compelling communications for various audiences.
4. Contribute to content calendars, communication work plans, and campaign planning for Fellowship activities and milestones.
5. Provide technical communication input to program teams and advise on effective approaches for communicating scientific and program outcomes.
6. Develop and coordinate high-quality Fellowship content, including impact stories, profiles, case studies, blogs, articles, briefs, newsletters, presentations, and other knowledge products.
7. Create compelling narratives showcasing the achievements, leadership journeys, research contributions, and impact of Fellows and alumni.
8. Support the packaging of program evidence, learning, and results into accessible content for internal and external audiences.
9. Lead or support editorial processes, ensuring accuracy, clarity, tone, and adherence to SFA Foundation standards and approved messaging.
10. Work with Fellows and faculty to identify and develop opportunities for publications, speaking engagements, thought leadership, and other visibility opportunities.
11. Support Fellows in enhancing their professional and scientific visibility through appropriate media, speaking, publication, and digital platforms.
12. Build effective working relationships with Fellows, alumni, faculty, program teams, grantees, funders, media, and other relevant stakeholders.
13. Coordinate communication engagement with Fellowship partners and help position the Fellowship as a platform for African scientific leadership.
14. Support advocacy, outreach, and thought leadership activities that amplify the Fellowship’s contribution to science, policy, innovation, and development.
15. Represent the Fellowship at relevant communication, program, and stakeholder engagements when required.
16. Coordinate with Science and Corporate Communications teams to support timely publication of approved Fellowship content across relevant digital platforms.
17. Support website, social media, and other digital content related to Fellowship activities, achievements, and milestones.
18. Support media engagement and identify appropriate opportunities to generate accurate and positive coverage of the Fellowship and its Fellows.
19. Develop and coordinate pre-, during-, and post-event communication materials for workshops, conferences, learning sessions, and other Fellowship events.
20. Coordinate photography, media, social media amplification, and other communication logistics for key Fellowship activities.
21. Contribute to planning and implementation of Fellowship activities and work plans, ensuring communication requirements are integrated into program delivery.
22. Support preparation of program, partner, and funder reports, including communication, visibility, outcomes, and impact sections.
23. Track communication outputs, reach, engagement, and outcomes, providing periodic updates to inform program learning and decision-making.
24. Document lessons, success stories, and good practices from the Fellowship, supporting knowledge sharing among Fellows, alumni, and partners.
25. Maintain organized records and archives of communication products, media coverage, publications, and relevant program documentation.
26. Review communication outputs for quality, accuracy, accessibility, and consistency with SFA Foundation brand and editorial guidelines.
27. Provide technical guidance to program colleagues and relevant partners on science communication and knowledge dissemination.
28. Share best practices and support learning on effective science communication approaches across the Fellowship and wider Foundation.
29. Work collaboratively with Communications, Programmes, M&E, and other professional services teams to deliver high-quality outputs.
30. Contribute to communication planning and resource requirements for Fellowship activities.
31. Support monitoring of communication-related expenditure and deliverables within approved plans and budgets.
32. Support coordination of external communication vendors and consultants, where required.

1. A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Science, Public Health, Science Communication, Communications, Journalism, or a related discipline from a recognized institution.
2. A Master’s degree in a relevant discipline is preferred, especially for candidates with a science or public health background combined with demonstrated science communication experience.
3. Relevant professional certification or membership of a recognized professional body in communications, journalism, public relations, science communication, science, or public health is an added advantage.
4. At least 5 years of progressive experience in science communication, strategic communications, science journalism, or research communication, preferably within the science, health, research, innovation, or non-profit sectors.
5. Demonstrated experience in translating complex scientific or technical information into clear and compelling content for diverse audiences.
6. Experience working with scientists, researchers, research institutions, policymakers, funders, or other stakeholders in a research or development environment.
7. Experience supporting programs, fellowships, leadership initiatives, or multi-stakeholder projects is an added advantage.
8. Demonstrated experience in developing communication products and supporting media, digital, event, and stakeholder engagement.
9. Excellent writing, editing, storytelling, and scientific communication skills.
10. Strong understanding of science, research, and innovation communication, underpinned by scientific or public health literacy, and the ability to communicate complex concepts to non-technical audiences.
11. Ability to develop communication approaches and content for different audiences and channels.
12. Proficiency in digital communication tools, social media platforms, website content management systems, and multimedia production.
13. Strong stakeholder engagement and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with scientists, Fellows, partners, media, and diverse teams.
14. Strong planning and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple assignments, deadlines, and competing priorities.
15. Strong presentation and public speaking skills.
16. Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy and quality.
17. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and collaboratively across teams.
18. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and collaboration tools, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and SharePoint.
19. Proficiency in English is required; knowledge of French or another African Union language is an advantage.
20. Demonstrates ownership and accountability.
21. Ability to manage and influence stakeholders.
22. Drives cross-functional collaboration and knowledge sharing.
23. Supports a culture of continuous improvement and quality focus.
24. Provides technical guidance and mentorship to colleagues and partners where required.
25. Upholds integrity and promotes a strong documentation and governance culture.