Organisation Overview    

The African Academy of Sciences (AAS) is a non-aligned, non-political, not-for-profit pan-African organisation headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, whose vision is to see transformed lives on the African continent through science. Our tripartite mandate is (1) recognition of excellence through the AAS’ highly prestigious fellowship and award schemes, (2) provision of advisory and think tank functions for shaping Africa’s Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) strategies and policies, and (3) implementation of key STI programmes addressing Africa’s developmental challenges. The current strategy for the AAS focuses on five strategic focus areas: Environment and climate change, health and wellbeing, natural sciences, policy and governance and social sciences and humanities. The AAS’ mission is to leverage resources through excellence and thought leadership for sustainable development. 

Position Overview
The position plays a strategic role in ensuring the organization’s management and implementation of all AAS programmes.  The Manager Programmes is responsible for the management and implementation of the AAS programmatic workplan to support research and research communication, including strategic management and implementation of capacity development to support researcher fellows and partner institutions. The position will manage and oversee the implementation of all AAS Grants.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Programmes Management

•  Manage the day-to-day operations of the programme portfolio assigned by overseeing the planning and implementation of impactful programmes, working closely across teams to ensure set requirements are met
• Develop and manage programmatic activities for Grants in consultation with the Executive Director and in line with budgetary guidelines to achieve the set mandate.
•  Propose long and short-term objectives for the initiative aligned to building human capacity, infrastructure and lasting research networks on the continent;
• Manage the Programme budget in liaison with the Finance team to ensure efficient utilization of funds, smooth operational flow, and, maximizing the scope and magnitude of the short and long-term Programme goals;
• Contribute to the overall development of the AAS programme strategy, including actively identifying opportunities for collaboration with other programme areas.
• Work as part of the Management team to share ideas and improve operation, recommending, supporting and implementing continuous improvement activities and process and procedure improvements to optimise results and improve quality of programmes delivery
• Mentor and coach staff to build their capacity to perform the roles assigned to them. Set performance expectations and conduct performance management evaluations in a timely manner to ensure superior levels of performance are maintained 
• Provide career guidance and avail learning opportunities and assignments to enhance engagement and career progression for programme staff.

2. Grants Management

• Manage AAS grants and activities as the point person for the Programme; engaging with applicants, grantees and partners including providing guidance and feedback on inquiries; 
• Manage operations surrounding the entire process of grant management for the AAS Programmes in collaboration with the Grants Officer. Ensure adherence to the call standards during the application, review, shortlisting and grant awarding process;
• Oversee the grant scheme development by highlights key funder requirements at proposal development stage, and aim to improve knowledge and access to this information for grant applicants. This is through webinars, information sessions, workshops etc
• Manage the pre-award processes to ensure appropriate conditions including systems, processes, policies, and capacity are available to support the implementation of the grant by applicants.
• Conduct due diligence of potential applicants and applicant institutions. This involves desktop reviews and physical site visits to potential applicant institutions and preparation of reports or recommendations which inform specific grant terms and conditions for successful grant applicants
• Manage the grant award processes by providing and monitoring systems, processes and procedures to ensure fairness and openness in awarding grants to applicants
• Manage the post-award processes to ensure proper implementation, monitoring and performance. This will also include ensuring proper grant close out

3. Monitoring and Reporting

• Manage performance of the Programmes team in partnership with the Monitoring and Evaluation Manager by setting measurable performance indicators to ensure projects are executed in line with the contract and within agreed timelines; 
• Develop monitoring reports for funders developed by the fundraising and programmes teams. 
• Develop and disseminate monthly programme highlight reports for the management, staff and Committees as necessary. 
• Communicate with senior management on programme status, risks and issues in an appropriate and timely manner. Ensure regular and timely communication between project team members 
• Review, implement and update programme records e.g. training matrices, performance reviews, risk assessments

4. Advocacy and Relationship Management

• Forge collaborations with Science-based communities which share the same vision as the Programme and the Academy at large within the African continent and globally to build sustainable Programmes;
• Engage in discussions with institutions of similar element which can help promote the vision of the Programme through activities that foster added value and future potential initiatives;
• Identify gaps that can be filled by the Academy’s portfolio of activities that will promote the growth and sustainability of AESA and the AAS Programmes and ensure the Academy’s services are made relevant to the continent.
• Provide technical support and expertise to the review panels in other AESA Programmes by participating in the review of grant application process; and
• Participate in occasional cross-functional meetings to support other departments in achieving their mandate including representing AESA in consortium meetings. Ensure the values of participation, partnership, sustainability, social responsibility, cost effectiveness, transparency and accountability are reflected in your work. 
• Attend external meetings as a representative of AAS as assigned.

Person Specifications
Academic qualifications

A PhD in a relevant science research field with proven research leadership qualities and experience of carrying out key research work for priority research agendas.

Professional qualifications

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

Experience and Knowledge

1. At least 8 years’ relevant experience in project management, 3 years of which should have been at senior management;
2. Significant knowledge and understanding of the scientific landscape and grants funding environment in/for Africa;
3. Proven experience in leading a team and of direct line management;
4. Experience in research commercialization and technology transfer skills converting research into policy, products and services
5. Knowledge of Science Technology and Innovation landscape on the African continent
6. Strong presentational skills and ability to address public audiences;
7. Good financial and budgeting capability
8. Ability to work effectively within and between teams to achieve common objectives
9. Outstanding communication and interpersonal abilities
10. Excellent reading and research skills, planning and organization skills
11. Familiarity with legal procedures and matters that the ED’s office may need to deal with such as litigation, staff issues and AAS clients
12. Excellent knowledge of MS Office and office management software (ERP etc.)

Competencies (Core and Managerial)

• Accountability (C)
• Innovation (C)
• Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)
• Planning and organizing (C)
• Results focus (C)
• Teamwork (C)
• Professionalism (C)
• Building partnerships (M)
• Driving and managing change (M)
• Leading and empowering others (M)
• Making quality decisions (M)
• Managing performance (M)
• Strategic thinking (M)

Language
Knowledge of other African Union languages (e.g., Arabic, French, and Portuguese) will be an advantage.

Additional Information
This is a fixed term engagement.  The successful candidate will be engaged full time (40 hours/ week) for a period of 3 years working at the AAS offices in Nairobi, Kenya.

All applicants must submit a duly filled job application form from the AAS website.  Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their application and include: one-page cover letter, curriculum vitae/ resume.
Applications should be sent to recruitment@aasciences.africa with the subject Manager Programmes by 15^th August 2025 17:00HRS EAT.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.