ORGANISATION OVERVIEW
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 Manager - Mental Health
Department: Mental Health Research and Development
Reporting To: Head of Programmes / Chief Scientific Officer
Position Location: Nairobi, Kenya
JOB PURPOSE
The Senior Programme Manager – Mental Health will design, lead and provide strategic oversight of SFA Foundation’s Mental Health Research and Development Programme, translating the Mental Health Strategy into a coherent, high-impact and sustainable programme of initiatives across Africa.
The role will provide senior leadership across mental health research excellence, lived experience, policy engagement, innovation and implementation, and sustainable systems and financing. It will lead programme design and strategy; oversee programme performance, grants and partnerships; provide leadership to programme teams; strengthen resource mobilisation and strategic partnerships; and represent the Foundation in high-level scientific, policy and sector engagements.
The position will work across research, funding, policy, innovation and implementation to strengthen the mental health ecosystem and translate evidence into policy and practice, while ensuring strong governance, accountability, learning, financial stewardship and sustainability.
The SFA Foundation is committed to fostering a culture grounded in Respect, Accountability, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I), and Excellence. We seek individuals who embody these values in their work and interactions.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Mental Health Programme Leadership
* Lead the design and translation of the Mental Health Research and Development Strategy into a coherent programme of work, annual priorities and implementation plans.
* Provide strategic direction across research excellence, lived experience, policy engagement, innovation and implementation, and sustainable systems and financing.
* Identify emerging mental health priorities, evidence gaps, opportunities and risks across Africa, and advise senior leadership on strategic responses.
* Ensure the programme remains aligned with SFA Foundation strategy, scientific priorities, funder commitments and relevant continental agendas.
* Contribute evidence and sector intelligence to organisational strategy, cross-programme planning and scientific leadership.
Programme Design, Leadership and Management
* Lead the end-to-end design of new programmes and workstreams, including problem analysis, theories of change, results frameworks, delivery models, budgets and governance structures.
* Lead complex, multi-component programmes of work through their full lifecycle, from concept and inception through delivery, adaptation and close-out.
* Lead the planning, implementation, performance and evaluation of the mental health programme and its constituent workstreams, ensuring delivery of agreed outcomes, quality standards, timelines and budgets.
* Provide oversight of programme workplans, budgets, implementation schedules, risk registers, performance frameworks and governance arrangements.
* Ensure programme-level prioritisation, resource allocation and management of interdependencies across programmes, grants and strategic initiatives.
* Monitor programme performance and initiate corrective action where delivery, quality, risk, financial or strategic issues require intervention.
* Ensure strong documentation, accountability and decision-making across the programme.
Research Excellence, Evidence and Knowledge Translation
* Provide strategic oversight of initiatives that strengthen rigorous, innovative, ethical and context-relevant African-led mental health research.
* Support interdisciplinary and multi-country research collaborations and funding mechanisms addressing priority mental health challenges.
* Promote the generation, synthesis and use of evidence to inform policy, practice and investment decisions.
* Strengthen knowledge translation through publications, policy briefs, conferences, learning platforms and other appropriate channels.
* Support the development of regional evidence and data systems that enable timely understanding of mental health trends and priorities.
Persons with Lived Experience, Inclusion and Local Ownership
* Embed the meaningful participation of persons with lived experience (PWLE) in programme design, implementation, governance, funding and evaluation.
* Strengthen mechanisms for PWLE representation in advisory structures, grant review processes and community validation processes.
* Promote safe, meaningful and equitable participation, and support capacity development for PWLE as co-researchers, advocates and policy influencers.
* Ensure programmes are African-led, context-relevant and responsive to Africa’s cultural, social and political realities.
* Promote inclusive and participatory approaches that contribute to reducing stigma and strengthening responsive mental health systems.
Policy Engagement, Innovation and Implementation
* Lead strategic engagement that bridges mental health research and policymaking, including collaboration with scientists, PWLE, policymakers, governments and communities.
* Support collaborative policy platforms and mechanisms that co-create evidence-informed solutions.
* Facilitate the translation of research into actionable strategies at national and African Union levels, and support the integration of mental health into broader health and development frameworks.
* Provide strategic oversight of innovation and implementation initiatives, including digital health, artificial intelligence and community-based psychosocial care models.
* Promote the cross-sectoral integration of mental health into education, climate adaptation, humanitarian response and other relevant development sectors.
* Identify approaches with potential for adaptation, scale and sustainable implementation.
Strategic Partnerships, Influence and Resource Mobilisation
* Build and maintain senior-level relationships with governments, research institutions, funders, philanthropic organisations, private sector actors, civil society, lived-experience organisations and mental health networks.
* Represent SFA Foundation in high-level technical forums, conferences, policy platforms and strategic partnership engagements.
* Identify and pursue opportunities for programme growth, co-funding, strategic collaboration and resource mobilisation.
* Lead or provide senior input into concept development, proposal development, donor engagement and partnership negotiations.
* Strengthen South–South collaboration and engagement with the African diaspora to facilitate knowledge exchange, resource mobilisation and global partnerships that amplify African leadership in mental health.
Grants, Financial, Risk and Governance Oversight
* Provide strategic oversight of mental health grant-making and grant programmes across the grant lifecycle, including calls, assessment, award management, monitoring and close-out.
* Ensure appropriate due diligence, institutional capacity assessment, grantee performance management and technical support.
* Oversee programme budgets and resource utilisation, ensuring financial stewardship, value for money and compliance with donor and organisational requirements.
* Identify and manage strategic, programme, operational and reputational risks, and ensure timely mitigation and escalation.
* Ensure compliance with SFA Foundation policies, funder requirements, ethical standards and governance arrangements.
Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Impact
* Establish and oversee programme-level monitoring, evaluation and learning approaches that track outputs, outcomes, impact and strategic contribution.
* Use evidence, data and learning to inform adaptive management, programme decisions and continuous improvement.
* Ensure high-quality management, donor, board and strategic reporting on progress, risks, learning and impact.
* Promote the documentation and dissemination of lessons, good practice, evidence and knowledge products across the mental health programme.
* Track progress against strategic indicators covering research excellence, innovation and implementation, policy engagement, lived-experience participation and sustainability.
People Leadership and Cross-Functional Collaboration
* Lead, coach, mentor and develop programme managers and programme staff, fostering a high-performance, inclusive and collaborative culture.
* Set clear expectations, accountabilities and performance objectives, and support staff development and succession planning.
* Provide strategic and technical guidance to programme teams and promote effective delegation, prioritisation and decision-making.
* Work closely with Finance, MEAL, Communications, Human Capital and other professional services to ensure integrated programme delivery.
* Promote cross-programme learning, knowledge sharing and collaboration across SFA Foundation.
PERSON SPECIFICATIONS
Academic Qualifications
* PhD in Public Health, Psychology, Psychiatry, Mental Health, Global Health, Social Sciences, International Development, Health Policy, Research or a related discipline.
Professional Qualifications
* A relevant professional qualification or certification in Programme Management, Research Administration, Monitoring and Evaluation, Mental Health, Grant Management, Leadership and Management, or a related field will be an added advantage.
Experience
* At least ten (10) years of relevant experience in mental health, research and development, public or global health, programme management, grants management or a related field, including a demonstrable track record of designing and leading complex, multi-component programmes of work in Africa.
* Proven experience designing programmes from concept stage – including developing theories of change, results frameworks, delivery models and budgets – and leading their implementation through to evaluation.
* Experience leading multi-year, multi-country or multi-partner programmes with several interdependent workstreams, ideally including grant-making and strategic partnerships.
* Experience in a senior programme leadership role, including line management of programme managers and multidisciplinary teams.
Knowledge, Skills and Attributes
* Strong understanding of mental health research, systems, policy and practice in African contexts.
* Strong programme design and management expertise, including theory of change and results framework development, strategy, planning, budgeting, and risk and performance management.
* Demonstrated ability to translate research and evidence into policy, practice and programme decisions.
* Strong grant management, donor engagement and resource mobilisation capabilities.
* Strong strategic thinking, analytical, problem-solving, negotiation and decision-making skills.
* Excellent stakeholder engagement, influencing, communication, writing and presentation skills.
* Strong understanding of participatory approaches and the meaningful engagement of persons with lived experience.
* Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary, multicultural and geographically diverse environments.
* Strong financial oversight, judgement, prioritisation and organisational skills.
* Demonstrated commitment to African-led, evidence-based and context-relevant approaches.
Leadership Competencies
* Provides strategic leadership and translates programme vision into clear priorities, accountabilities and measurable outcomes.
* Builds and sustains trusted senior relationships with funders, governments, researchers, partners and communities.
* Leads through influence, evidence and values, and operates effectively at both strategic and operational levels.
* Develops people through coaching, mentoring, delegation, feedback and clear accountability.
* Demonstrates sound judgement, integrity, resilience and discretion in complex and changing environments.
* Drives cross-functional collaboration, learning, innovation and continuous improvement.
* Promotes inclusive leadership and the meaningful participation of persons with lived experience.
ORGANISATIONAL VALUES
All SFA Foundation staff are expected to uphold and demonstrate the organisation’s core values in the execution of their duties:
* Respect: Demonstrates cultural sensitivity and professionalism in all interactions.
* Accountability: Takes ownership of responsibilities and follows through on commitments.
* Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity (DIE): Committed to inclusive practices and equitable decision-making.
* Excellence: Strives for continuous improvement and consistently delivers high-quality outputs.
HOW TO APPLY
Should you meet the competencies above, please submit your application by clicking the APPLY button below.
THE APPLICATION DEADLINE IS TUESDAY, 25 NOVEMBER 2026.
APPLICATIONS WILL BE REVIEWED ON A ROLLING BASIS. CANDIDATES ARE THEREFORE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY EARLY, AS THE POSITION MAY BE CLOSED BEFORE THE FINAL APPLICATION DEADLINE.
SFA Foundation has a commitment to safeguarding people and the environment, and this forms part of our background checks.
Deadline: Tuesday, November 24, 2026
HOW TO APPLY:
Should you meet the competencies above, please submit your application by clicking the APPLY button (https://sfafoundation.seamlesshiring.com/job/view/11427?application_source=Direct URL). The application deadline is Tuesday, 25 November 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Candidates are therefore encouraged to apply early, as the position may be closed before the final application deadline.