Senior Programme Finance Specialist
2025-11-17T03:28:01+00:00
SCIENCE FOR AFRICA FOUNDATION
https://cdn.greatkenyanjobs.com/jsjobsdata/data/employer/comp_8284/logo/download.png
https://scienceforafrica.foundation/
FULL_TIME
Nairobi
Nairobi
00100
Kenya
Nonprofit, and NGO
Management, Science & Engineering, Computer & IT, Accounting & Finance, Non-profits, Foundations & Philanthropists, Management Officer
2025-11-23T17:00:00+00:00
Kenya
8
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
|
Senior Programme Finance Specialist
|
|
Department
|
Finance and Grants
|
|
Reporting To
|
Manager, Programme Finance
|
|
Position Location
|
Nairobi, Kenya
|
JOB PURPOSE
The Senior Programme Finance Specialist is a senior technical and advisory role within the Programme Finance Unit. Reporting to the Manager, Programme Finance, the role ensures consistency, compliance, and quality across the Foundation’s grant finance portfolio, while consolidating financial data and generating insights that support the Programme Finance unit, CFO, EXCO, and Board.
The position bridges operational delivery and strategic oversight by guiding Programme Finance Specialists, standardising processes, and providing expert responses to complex funder requirements. While maintaining responsibility for a selected portfolio to remain grounded in programme realities, the role leads on unit-wide reporting, systems innovation, and compliance assurance. This strengthens SFA Foundation’s reputation as a trusted pan-African science funding institution committed to ecosystem strengthening.
SFA Foundation is committed to fostering a culture grounded in Respect, Accountability, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I), and Excellence. We seek individuals who embody these values in their work and interactions.
Unit-Wide Functional Support Reporting & Analytics Consolidate programme finance data, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and timeliness of unit-wide reports and dashboards. Translate detailed financial data into insights that inform Manager decisions and support overall reporting. Maintain standard reporting methodologies, templates, and analytical tools across all portfolios. Systems & Process Improvement Lead operationalisation of the unit’s automation and workflow efficiency projects, aligned to SFA Foundation’s enterprise systems. Develop, update, and enforce Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the grant’s lifecycle Champion continuous process improvement, benchmarking against international best practice in grant finance Provide technical leadership on dashboard design, burn-rate analysis, and cost recovery tracking. Compliance & Quality Assurance Conduct quality assurance reviews on a rotating sample of grant files, reports, and transactions across all portfolios. Ensures adherence to funder rules and regulations. Supports fraud/risk investigations and complex compliance issues.
In-depth knowledge of funder regulations and grant compliance frameworks. Strong analytical and systems skills; proven ability to lead process improvements. Excellent problem-solving, advisory skills, and communication abilities. Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to guide peers. High integrity, accuracy, and ability to manage multiple priorities. Ability to mentor and promote knowledge sharing within teams. Leadership Competencies Technical authority in grants finance and compliance, with contextual understanding of science funding. Ability to influence peers and promote consistency across portfolios. Strong problem-solving, judgement, and advisory capacity.
Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, or a related field. Master’s degree desirable. Professional Qualifications Full professional qualification in CPA-K or ACCA. Minimum of 7 years relevant experience in financial management, with at least 5 years in programme finance/grants accounting or funded projects. Proven track record in science funding institutions, research consortia, or ecosystem-strengthening programmes. Proven experience in sub-grantee management, capacity building, and financial reporting. Strong working knowledge of financial management systems and grants accounting. Experience working with grant systems with a passion for exploring and optimising their functionality. Proven ability to manage compliance with major funders (e.g., Wellcome, Gates, FCDO, Mastercard Foundation). Advanced proficiency in Excel and financial analysis tools, dashboards.
JOB-691a96419f196
Vacancy title:
Senior Programme Finance Specialist
[Type: FULL_TIME, Industry: Nonprofit, and NGO, Category: Management, Science & Engineering, Computer & IT, Accounting & Finance, Non-profits, Foundations & Philanthropists, Management Officer]
Jobs at:
SCIENCE FOR AFRICA FOUNDATION
Deadline of this Job:
Sunday, November 23 2025
Duty Station:
Nairobi | Nairobi | Kenya
Summary
Date Posted: Monday, November 17 2025, Base Salary: Not Disclosed
Similar Jobs in Kenya
Learn more about SCIENCE FOR AFRICA FOUNDATION
SCIENCE FOR AFRICA FOUNDATION jobs in Kenya
JOB DETAILS:
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
|
Senior Programme Finance Specialist
|
|
Department
|
Finance and Grants
|
|
Reporting To
|
Manager, Programme Finance
|
|
Position Location
|
Nairobi, Kenya
|
JOB PURPOSE
The Senior Programme Finance Specialist is a senior technical and advisory role within the Programme Finance Unit. Reporting to the Manager, Programme Finance, the role ensures consistency, compliance, and quality across the Foundation’s grant finance portfolio, while consolidating financial data and generating insights that support the Programme Finance unit, CFO, EXCO, and Board.
The position bridges operational delivery and strategic oversight by guiding Programme Finance Specialists, standardising processes, and providing expert responses to complex funder requirements. While maintaining responsibility for a selected portfolio to remain grounded in programme realities, the role leads on unit-wide reporting, systems innovation, and compliance assurance. This strengthens SFA Foundation’s reputation as a trusted pan-African science funding institution committed to ecosystem strengthening.
SFA Foundation is committed to fostering a culture grounded in Respect, Accountability, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I), and Excellence. We seek individuals who embody these values in their work and interactions.
Work Hours: 8
Experience in Months: 84
Level of Education: bachelor degree
Job application procedure
Application Link: Click Here to Apply Now
All Jobs | QUICK ALERT SUBSCRIPTION
