Jobs and Vacancies in AAS Kenya

Director, Strategy and Partnership 
The AAS is a pan African organisation headquartered in Kenya, which aims to drive sustainable development in Africa through science, technology and innovation. It has a tripartite mandate of pursuing excellence by recognising scholars and achievers; providing advisory and think tank functions for shaping the continent’s strategies and policies; and implementing key Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) programmes that impact on developmental challenges through the new agenda setting and funding platform, the Alliance for Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa (AESA).

Position Overview

The Director for Strategy and Partnerships is responsible for developing, overseeing and supporting the implementation of strategic initiatives, programmes and projects that support the AAS vision and short- and long-term plans. This will be through creating, implementing, and managing the AAS fundraising and development strategy. The incumbent will also be responsible for the Academy’s Strategy, Think Tank and Advisory Functions as well as work in liaison with all the AAS Fellows, and others to shape opinions and policy

Responsibilities

·         Direct and oversee the AAS strategic and long-range goal planning function by driving strategic initiatives, and supporting the development of long-term growth plans and resource mobilization goals.
·         Analyze and recommend expansion and growth opportunities, including viability of funding partners, venture capital sources, internal organizational performance and process improvement.Leadership, management and coordination of the Coalition for African Research and Innovation (CARI)programme.
·         Develops fundraising strategies, formulates solicitation procedures, and oversees all fundraising activities. Identifies new donor bases, directs and coordinates solicitation of funds.
·         Develop and implement a comprehensive, strategic, goal-based development plan to attract, build, and maintain effective and mutually beneficial relationships with individuals, communities, foundations, and corporations capable of contributing significantly to AAS
·         Network and liaise with current and potential donors and partners – close collaboration with the Executive Director and the Director Programmes throughout application and implementation of programs; demonstrate understanding of sustainability reporting, sustainable development and innovation.
·         Build strong relations internally across all departments, in particular with AAS’ Communications team, Strategy and Policy Unit, Knowledge Unit, Executive Director’s office and other Regional offices
·         Work with the senior management team to design policies that contribute to creation of an environment where partnerships can thrive and ensure AAS has an effective framework for creating and maintaining relationships;
·         Lead the Strategy and Partnership team and play a key advocacy role and mobilize African and International resources towards the support of research in Africa
·         Keep abreast of the broader scientific funding and policy landscape to inform the strategic direction of AESA and align it with AAS’s strategic plan;
·         Manage and develop the divisional staff, offering coaching and enforcing performance standards.Person Specifications

Qualifications

·         Post-graduate qualification in a relevant discipline
·         At least 10 years’ experience in strategic fundraising and partnership development, 5 years of which are in concise proposal writing, program evaluation and donor reporting
·         Proven track record in fundraising and multiyear partnerships, especially within governmental and intergovernmental organizations and foundations
·         Proven ability to develop and deliver a fundraising strategy and implementation plan and to meet or exceed fundraising targets
·         Proven experience in facilitating technical and strategic design processes, and developing workflow processes and tools
·         Be familiar with fundraising networks and funding mechanisms – nationally and internationally
Skills and Attributes
·         Strategic thinker, ability to see the big picture and formulate strategies for the entire academy and contribute to achievement of the organization’s overall objectives;
·         A talented and dedicated people manager, with a strong interest in growing and developing a team
·         Excellence in building and managing relationship; be a strong networker
·         A good communicator and experienced presenter, highly persuasive and an ability to inspire
·         Excellent inter-personal skills, and an ability to represent AAS at all levels and in different cultural settings
·         Knowledge of the fields of sustainability reporting, sustainable development and innovation
·         Goal and deadline driven; proven track record to deliver in time against the highest possible quality
·         Highly organized with an ability to work independently whilst presenting strong teamwork skills
·         Excellent social skills, friendly and easy to approach working style
·         Strong financial and budgeting capability
·         Able to work in an international and multi-cultural setting
·         High moral standing with impeccable integrity;
How to Apply
All Applicants must submit a filled application form from the AAS website , curriculum vitae, and a cover letter to recruitment@aasciences.ac.ke, with the Position and Vacancy Number as the Subject by 3 January 2018. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Good Financial Grant Practice Officer

The African Academy of Sciences (AAS) is a pan African organisation headquartered in Kenya, which aims to drive sustainable development in Africa through science, technology and innovation.
It has a tripartite mandate of pursuing excellence by recognising scholars and achievers; providing advisory and think tank functions for shaping the continent’s strategies and policies; and implementing key Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) programmes that impact on developmental challenges through the agenda setting and funding platform, the Alliance for Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa (AESA).

Responsibilities

·         To operationalise the GFGP Business Unit and ensure it is providing the full range of services and activities expected by the grantor subscribers, the grantee users and the GFGP global community.
·         Develop and manage the subscription payment system, which will link to the AAS financial accounting system.
·         Develop and maintain the terms and conditions that grantors and grantees will need to accept to access the GFGP portal.
·         Establish and manage a “help line” support capability for the grantors and grantees. (FAQ’s, chat room etc)
·         Source, collect and curate in the portal the 48 procedures and 55 policies required by grantees to comply with the GFGP standard. To write any policies which cannot be sourced.
·         To assess the requirement for, and develop, the guidelines requested by the grantees which are not covered by the procedures and policies.
·         To support / manage the supplier developing the portal training and development content.
·         To work closely with the AESA Business Development Manager and the Senior Advisors to the programme to meet the goals of the GFGP Business Unit.
·         Recruiting and managing any additional staff required by the GFGP Business Unit.
·         Developing a training and development programme and manual for GFGP.
·         Manage the technical aspects of the relationship with the GFGP Portal software developer.
·         To manage the GFGP secretariat who will develop the training material for implementation of the GFGP standard and assessment tool.
·         Develop and maintain good relationships with grantor and grantee stakeholders.
·         To develop a network of suppliers that can ensure all GFGP materials, and help line support, are made available in additional languages which are likely to include French, Spanish and Portuguese

Qualifications

·         Post-graduate qualification in accountancy
·         Proven track-record of business development with minimum five years experience.
·         High leadership skills.
How to Apply
All Applicants must download and submit a filled application form from the AAS website, curriculum vitae, and a cover letter to recruitment@aasciences.ac.ke, with the position and Vacancy Number as the Subject by 3 January 2018.
Legal and Compliance Officer

Organisation Overview: The AAS is a pan African organisation headquartered in Kenya, which aims to drive sustainable development in Africa through science, technology and innovation. It has a tripartite mandate of pursuing excellence by recognising scholars and achievers; providing advisory and think tank functions for shaping the continent’s strategies and policies; and implementing key Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) programmes that impact on developmental challenges through the agenda setting and funding platform, the Alliance for Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa (AESA).
Purpose: The Legal and Compliance Officer is responsible for leading and directing the management of all legal issues involving the AAS and has overall responsibility for ensuring that the Academy’s legal risks and compliance requirements are assessed and mitigated appropriately.
Works in close collaboration with legal firms that may be contracted to offer legal services to the Academy.

Responsibilities

·         Serve as the primary legal advisor to the Governing Council, Executive Director and advises the Academy on the management of all corporate and commercial legal matters, litigation risks posed by key decisions and providing preventive counsel as required.
·         Negotiate, draft and oversee the implementation of multi-party agreements, including financing documents and those relating to strategic alliances as well as other contracts, agreements and correspondence for Academy.
·         Organise and manage Governing Council’s activities, including the facilitation of Governing Council and Committee meetings, providing corporate secretarial services, and advising on various issues such as corporate governance and fiduciary duties, ethics and compliance and strategic transactions.
·         Work with the President and the Executive Director in laying out meeting agendas and distribute the necessary documentation required for the meeting.
·         Advise the management team on the contents of the Governing Council Board meeting and coordinate the organisation of memoranda and presentation required to ensure the smooth operations of the Academy.
·         Develop strategies for assessing and mitigating legal risks across all the AAS operations and for managing people and resources in a manner that effectively supports the achievement of the Academy’s objectives and put mechanisms and structures in place for the execution of such strategies.
·         Work with the senior management team to define strategic goals and organisational needs, provide legal counsel, and establish and influence appropriate ethical standards and legal considerations which must be considered when decisions are made and in developing the strategic plan.
·         Conduct research on laws, rules, regulations and legal precedents and stay current on any legal changes that are made that apply to the Academy.
·         Select and manage outside counsel, communicate and respond to litigation and regulatory matters and cost-effectively manage the resources required to address those matters.
·         Work to ensure that the organisation’s intellectual property is protected. In the first instance, ensure that an optimal centralised document management system is put in place to support the storage and retrieval of paper and electronic documents for the AAS.
·         Maintain and update the record of all open and closed legal cases. Manage and follow up on all open criminal, civil, regulatory and other legal proceedings internally and with outside counsel to seek redress for Academy.

Qualifications

·         Bachelor’s degree in Law or its equivalent.
·         Commissioner for Oaths and Notary Public.
·         Member of Institute of Certified Public Secretaries of Kenya (ICPSK) or relevant professional body.
·         At least 3 years’ relevant experience in legal, Company Secretary dealing with Boards.
Personal Attributes
·         High moral standing with impeccable integrity.
·         Good communication and interpersonal skills.
·         Good planning and organisational skills.
·         Enthusiastic, results oriented with excellent presentation skills.

How to Apply
All Applicants must download and submit a filled application form from the AAS website, curriculum vitae, and a cover letter to recruitment@aasciences.ac.ke, with the position and Vacancy Number as the Subject by 3 January 2018.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.