CAREER POSITION FOR RESEARCH AND ADVOCACY SPECIALIST
JOB VACANCY: RESEARCH AND ADVOCACY SPECIALIST
Organization: AfricaNenda Foundation
Location: Remote (Africa)
Reports To: Director, Advocacy and Capacity Development
Application Deadline: October 5, 2026 (Close of Business EAT)
About AfricaNenda Foundation
AfricaNenda Foundation is an Africa-led organization dedicated to building expertise, coordinating stakeholders, and accelerating the rollout of inclusive instant payment systems across Africa. We work to promote universal access to inclusive payment systems—particularly for financially excluded populations—by addressing regulatory, structural, and technical barriers such as limited interoperability, insufficient technical capacity, and weak collaborative models.
About the Role
We are seeking a highly capable Research and Advocacy Specialist to strengthen our evidence-generation and advocacy efforts. In this role, you will produce credible, decision-useful evidence and translate research findings into policy positions, advocacy messages, stakeholder engagement strategies, and practical recommendations that support inclusive instant payment systems across the continent.
This position bridges research, policy analysis, and advocacy. You will support the full evidence-to-influence cycle, including identifying research priorities, conducting or commissioning research, analyzing findings, developing thought leadership products, preparing leadership engagements, coordinating advocacy initiatives, tracking policy developments, and documenting results.
Key Objectives
Generate Evidence: Conduct rigorous, timely research on policies, regulations, institutions, markets, and user realities affecting inclusive instant payments.
Translate Evidence: Turn research into clear advocacy propositions, practical recommendations, and compelling policy messages.
Drive Influence: Support targeted advocacy to advance priority issues on institutional and ecosystem agendas.
Equip Leadership: Provide leadership with detailed analysis, briefings, talking points, and engagement materials.
Demonstrate Results: Track advocacy progress, document outcomes, and apply lessons learned to future strategies.
Key Responsibilities
1. Evidence Strategy and Planning
Support the Director in defining and maintaining AfricaNenda’s evidence-generation and advocacy priorities.
Develop annual and rolling evidence agendas aligned with organizational strategy and emerging sector issues.
Translate strategic priorities into research questions, analytical workstreams, products, target audiences, and influencing opportunities.
Identify evidence gaps that limit policy action or weaken the case for inclusive payment reforms.
Maintain a forward-looking calendar covering research outputs, policy processes, regulatory developments, stakeholder engagements, and advocacy opportunities.
2. Research and Analysis
Conduct desk research, policy/regulatory reviews, comparative analysis, political-economy analysis, and rapid evidence assessments.
Design and execute primary research using qualitative and quantitative methods (interviews, focus groups, surveys, consultations, case studies).
Manage research commissioning and oversee technical quality assurance.
Analyze developments in inclusive instant payments, digital public infrastructure (DPI), digital identity, open finance, cross-border payments, and consumer protection.
Conduct country, regional, and continental scans to identify policy trends, implementation gaps, and transferable lessons.
Apply research frameworks, systematic reviews (e.g., PRISMA 2020/PRISMA-P), and specialized qualitative software (NVivo, ATLAS.ti).
Maintain complete source records using reference tools (Zotero, EndNote) and ensure all factual claims are verifiable.
3. Advocacy Strategy and Execution
Support the development and execution of tailored, issue-specific advocacy plans.
Draft policy briefs, position papers, regulatory analyses, executive memos, and talking points.
Segment stakeholders according to influence and interest, tailoring engagement approaches to their mandates.
Coordinate policy dialogues, consultations, roundtables, and bilateral meetings.
Build trusted relationships with central banks, policymakers, development partners, and private-sector leaders.
Ensure all advocacy is technically sound, politically informed, non-partisan, inclusion-focused, and reflects underserved-user perspectives.
Qualifications and Experience
Essential Requirements
Education: Master’s degree in Public Policy, Economics, Finance, Development Studies, Law, Political Science, International Relations, Public Administration, or a related field.
Experience: At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in applied research, policy analysis, advocacy, financial inclusion, digital financial services (DFS), or payment systems.
Technical Skills:
Demonstrated expertise in systematic review tools (PRISMA 2020 / PRISMA-P).
Proficiency in qualitative analysis software (NVivo or ATLAS.ti).
Reference management expertise using Zotero or EndNote.
Domain Knowledge: Deep understanding of African DFS policy, regulatory frameworks, and instant payment system contexts.
Track Record: Proven ability to engage central banks, regulators, and international development partners, as well as experience managing external research consultants.
Languages: Fluency in English (written and spoken) is mandatory.
Desirable Criteria
Direct experience in instant payments, payment-system governance, or digital public infrastructure.
Multi-country or regional work experience across Africa.
Applied experience with political-economy analysis in policy settings.
Language Skills: English-French bilingual proficiency is strongly preferred.
Application Process
Required Documents
Interested candidates must submit a complete application package containing:
Cover Letter: Demonstrating suitability and direct alignment with the role.
Current CV: Highlighting relevant achievements, responsibilities, and contact information for 3 professional referees (including at least one recent supervisor or client).
2 Work Samples (Substantially authored by the applicant):
1 Research Output
1 Advocacy or Thought-Leadership Output (e.g., policy note, blog post, or thematic think piece)
How to Apply
Email Address: applications@africanenda.org
Email Subject Line: Research and Advocacy Specialist
File Naming Convention: Please clearly label all attached files (e.g., CV – [Your Name], Cover Letter – [Your Name]).
Deadline: October 5, 2026 (Close of Business EAT)
Note: Incomplete applications will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Shortlisted applicants may be required to complete a practical written assessment. AfricaNenda Foundation is an equal-opportunity employer.
Download the Research and Advocacy specialist terms of Reference
