Background

The Research and Information Systems in Africa (RISA) Fund programme is a multi-country project funded by the U.K. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) focusing on strengthening research and innovation (R&I) systems in target countries, combining the fund manager requirements of two current funds under the RISA umbrella: Strengthening Research Institutions in Africa (SRIA) and African Technology and Innovation Partnerships (ATIP). RISA seeks to create thriving national research and innovations systems and contribute to economic growth and development by developing a portfolio of well-designed, evidence-based sub-projects in Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Rwanda, and Ethiopia. The RISA programme has three objectives:

1. Research institution and system strengthening (SRIA). To support research organisations to have the capabilities necessary to produce relevant, high-quality research and to create an enabling environment for researchers and research organizations.
2. Innovation system strengthening (ATIP). To strengthen the enablers for the scaling of new and emerging technologies with the high potential for poverty reduction and inclusive growth.
3. Strengthening synergies between research and innovation systems (SRIA and ATIP). To identify and support linkages between research and innovation systems that will improve their integration and coordination.

RISA focuses on identifying Research and/or Innovation system strengthening priorities in each of the focus African countries; procuring appropriate suppliers to deliver Research and Innovation system strengthening projects; and managing the overall Research and Innovation systems strengthening fund portfolio. The project is a funds management programme, to issue grants and funding awards to local institutions and partners in Africa.

Position Description

The R&I Technical Lead will serve as the lead technical advisor for the project, providing expertise in research institutions and systems strengthening, understanding of linkages with innovation systems to improve integration and coordination, capacity development, and partnership facilitation. As an integral part of project senior management, s/he will provide support, input, analysis, and recommendations to ensure sound delivery of RISA objectives, activities, and country strategies in line with programme work plans, theory of change, and logframe. S/he will serve as the supervisor for the RISA Country Technical Leads (CTL) for Kenya & Rwanda, Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa & Ethiopia, managing performance and delivery towards RISA programme objectives.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Apply technical guidance, practical experience, and RISA evidence and strategies to offer technical advisory and consulting support to research and innovation ecosystem strengthening activities with Country Technical Leads (CTLs) and awardees to ensure delivery consistent with RISA country strategies and implementation protocols.
• Provide input, analysis, and recommendations to the Team Leader to support implementation of RISA country strategies, proactively building partnerships within local country ecosystems and with FCDO technical advisors as well as the FCDO core team.
• Lead the induction, onboarding, and mentorship and provide ongoing technical support for RISA CTLs and additional downstream projects and partners as relevant.
• As supervisor of RISA CTLs, monitor and support delivery of technical advisory and implementation support by CTLs to in-country awardees to ensure that key outcomes are being delivered.
• Provide input into monitoring and evaluation of RISA deliverables as indicated in MEL and comms strategies. Coordinate with MEL, Comms, CTLs and Technical partners to synthesis RISA learning, ensuring it is understood and communicated clearly to relevant programme stakeholders.
• Coordinate with MEL team on Fund-level M&E data collection.
• Write sections and/or provide technical input and analysis into preparation of RISA quarterly and annual narrative reports to FCDO, presentations, investment recommendations and summaries, award documents, and other written deliverables, as required.
• Provide technical input to the design of calls for funding to ensure alignment and consistency with RISA country strategies and implementation protocols, GESI strategy, and applied political economy analyses (APEAs).
• Provide support as an important feedback loop from applicants, awardees, and system stakeholders to the Team Leader, MEL team, other team members and/or FCDO as appropriate.
• With support from HQ communications staff, lead the design and implementation of RISA Fund’s communications strategy, ensuring high-quality and timely visibility products, and maintaining coherence with the RISA Fund’s technical objectives and FCDO priorities.
• Serve as the RISA Fund GESI focal point, ensuring gender and social inclusion considerations are integrated into programme design, implementation, learning, and reporting. Provide technical oversight and guidance to CTLs and grantees on embedding inclusive practices across the portfolio.
• Work with CTLs to convene knowledge-sharing events with in-country awardees, as well as any Fund-level knowledge-sharing events with awardees across RISA target countries.
• Participate in RISA learning events, contributing Fund-level learning in quarterly and other RISA workshops (including FCDO annual reviews).
• Travel between multiple locations as required per programme work planning.
• Any other relevant responsibilities as agreed-upon with Team Leader.

Experience, Skills and Qualifications

• Degree or relevant professional experience in international development, economics, business management, entrepreneurship, innovation, or similar field.
• Experience working with UK government-funded programmes.
• Demonstrable experience of working in Africa, across multiple locations preferred.
• Proven experience and extensive knowledge of Kenya context related to innovation and research systems.
• Strong networker and convenor and access to local networks, including knowledge of and relationships with key stakeholders in research and innovation systems.
• Active in online and in-person tech groups, innovation, and research communities
• Strong ability to collaborate and build partnerships with host country governments, UK government agencies, donor agencies, international organizations, and the private sector.
• Skilled in using participatory approaches, demonstrating the ability to connect the work we do to real people.
• Demonstrable experience in working with African research institutions or supporting national research systems, preferably with intimate knowledge of research ecosystem strengthening priorities in the RISA-focus African countries today.
• High competence in drafting background papers and project reports within tight deadlines.
• Right to work in Kenya essential.
• Fluency in English is required, and an additional language spoken within the region would be advantageous.
• Right to work in Kenya essential. This is an on-site position based in Nairobi. The role requires regular in-person attendance at the RISA Fund office and periodic travel to other RISA focus countries (i.e. Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Ethiopia, Rwanda) to support programme delivery.

How to Apply:

Please send an updated CV and application letter outlining your suitability for the role to: RISARecruitment@chemonics.com. Please include “Research & Innovation Technical Lead” in the subject header. Please do not send certificates.