African Academy of Sciences (AAS) Director Job in Kenya

Vacancy: Director AESA

The African Academy of Sciences (AAS) is an honorific organisation with the primary function of honoring African science and technology achievers and, second, as a development oriented mobilizer of the entire African science and technology community with the fundamental role of facilitating the development of scientific and technological capacity for science-led development.

AAS has undertaken a joint initiative with NEPAD to launch a new funding platform based within the academy called Alliance for Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa (AESA). 

AESA aims to foster the long-term sustainable development of Science excellence, global health research leadership, and innovation in Africa.

AESA has strong support to lead an exciting new multi-million dollar grant funding partnership to strengthen research capacity for global health.

It is to this end that AAS is seeking to recruit dynamic, ambitious and result oriented individuals to fill the following positions:

Director AESA

Ref: DIR/I 2/2014
 

The Director will work within the AAS IHQ office in Nairobi, Kenya and its existing senior leadership and international partners to develop, implement and direct a new pan-African programme management platform for the long-term sustainable development of scientific research excellence, leadership and innovation to improve the lives of those most in need. 

The major focus will initially be global health and development impact in Africa.

Specific responsibilities will include:

• Being a leader for AESA, providing strategic direction and fostering an environment which values motivation, performance, teamwork, skills development and knowledge sharing;
• Strategy development and implementation for AESA;
• Building academic and professional links with universities, research institutions, professional organisations, government and non-government organisations;
• Being a voice and advocate for the importance of scientific research and excellence; and its potential for impact such as its role in improving health, policy making and implementation in Africa;
• Recruiting, developing and leading a Programme team to drive excellence in performance;
• Working with the AAS to develop the finance, resource management and communications functions needed to support AESA;
• Establishing structures that will ensure good governance of the initiative, funds and external relationships; and
• Ensure compliance with funding partners’ requirements and compliance with local legislation.

Key qualifications, knowledge and experience required:

• PhD (biomedical background preferred but not essential) or MD;
• Senior management experience of leading organisational strategy, ideally in a scientific institute or programme;
• Experience of start-up of programmes or organisations;
• Strong relationship building skills and an entrepreneurial approach that leverages further opportunities;
• Knowledge and ability to work with African Governments, academic institutions and development entities;
• Credible knowledge of funders; and demonstrated ability to win funds; and
• An in depth understanding of the African research environment.

How to Apply

Applicants for the all the positions above must possess excellent written and oral communication skills, demonstrated interpersonal and organisational skills. 

Good analytical skills and attention to details are also critical competencies. 

In addition they must be self-driven, have ability to achieve results in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with shifting priorities and have excellent facilitation and presentation skills.

If you believe you can clearly demonstrate your abilities to meet the relevant criteria for the above roles, please submit your application with a detailed CV. stating your current position, current remuneration, e-mail and telephone contacts and quoting the respective reference number on your application letter.

To be considered, your application must be received by 5 January, 2015 addressed to:

The Director
Executive Selection Division
Deloitte Consulting Limited
Email: esd@deloitte.co.ke
Nairobi, Kenya