Chemonics International Vacancies 2022 Apply For Country Technical Lead Jobs In Johannesburg, Gauteng

Chemonics seeks country technical leads (CTLs) for the FCDO Research and Innovation Systems for Africa (RISA) project. The project aims to strengthen research and innovation systems by developing a portfolio of well-designed, evidence-based projects in Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Rwanda, and Tanzania.

The country technical leads will leverage their extensive networks and access to stakeholders to lead country-specific mapping and assessment efforts to enable diverse local engagement, embed feedback loops into RISA projects and bring hands-on knowledge and deep understanding of political dynamics within research and innovation ecosystems that will enable downstream partner success and for RISA to deliver on planned outcomes.

This position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya; Accra, Ghana; or Johannesburg/Pretoria, South Africa, and may require intermittent local travel and travel to the RISA project office in Nairobi, Kenya. Chemonics is looking for individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people around the world.

Responsibilities include:

• Apply technical guidance, practical experience, and RISA methodology and tools, to offer technical advisory and consulting support to SRIA- and ATIP-relevant systems strengthening activities
• Lead and contribute to analysis of research and innovation systems and the identification of entry points and potential levers of system strengthening, including through development of stakeholder maps, facilitation, and data collection for gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) assessments and applied political economy analyses (APEA)
• Support the team leader, RISA Senior Management Team (SMT), and FCDO to convene local and high-level stakeholders and organise events, activities and share knowledge; identify and foster relationships with potential SRIA and ATIP downstream partners and other relevant initiatives; and work with core team technical advisors to identify, select, and support downstream partners and projects consistent with the portfolio strategies and RISA objectives
• Coordinate with the Technical Units to identify, select, and support downstream partners in line with SRIA, ATIP, and country portfolio strategies, to refine theories of change and application of gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) guidance and to support partner communications and outreach
• Provide support as an important feedback loop from applicants, awardees, and system stakeholders to the Funds and Operations Unit, and conduct routine monitoring and compliance visits and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) data collection
• Serve as main in-country point of contact for technical assistance to downstream partners in the area of project ideation, concept, and proposal refinement, implementation, and exit processes
• Coordinate with the Research Unit to support M&E data collection and analysis, and to promote learning and uptake such as at semi-annual RISA workshops
• Provide day-to-day support of downstream projects, review work plans and milestone progress monthly, and escalate risks and issues to relevant members of the team as required
• Lead quarterly ‘report cards’ with each partner for SMT review and identify where recipients are struggling to manage activities or funds appropriately
• Perform other duties as required and assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelors’ degree in a social science, health, international development, technology or a related discipline is required. Master’s degree is preferred

• Minimum of eight years of professional experience in the field of research, innovation or development.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and word processing abilities
• Experience improving gender equity and disability inclusion in research and innovation systems and implementing gender sensitive policies in development programming preferred
• Proven experience and extensive knowledge of local country 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
• Extensive knowledge of other relevant projects in the country
• 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
• Thorough knowledge of and networks within the research and/or innovation sectors in focus countries and across Africa
• Skilled in using participatory approaches, demonstrating the ability to connect the work we do to real people
• Skilled in engaging and developing effective partnerships with individuals from different cultural backgrounds
• Strong analytical, problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated experience with programme management including experience working throughout the project lifecycle and applying programme management methodologies
• Demonstrated experience in financial management and compliance, ideally for international development programmes
• Ability to work in lean and agile ways
• Experience in project design and developing technical scopes of work, ideally for FCDO
• Experience with Monitoring and evaluation tools
• Works independently and as part of a team
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Willingness to travel up to eight weeks per year
• Demonstrated leadership, versatility, and integrity
• Fluency in English is required

Application instructions:

Please send an email with your CV and cover letter attached and “CTL – South Africa” in the subject line to [email protected] by January 28, 2022. No telephone inquiries, please. Chemonics will contact finalists.

Chemonics is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factors.

Chemonics values the protection of your personal data. If you are in the European Union, please read our EU Recruiting Data Privacy Notice to learn how we process personal data. You may access the notice via the following link: https://chemonics.com/eu-recruiting-data-privacy-notice/.