Team leader job at Expertise France
Team Leader – Study and Research in Africa (SRIA-ARISE)
Organization: Expertise France
Department: Human Capital and Social Development – Education, Higher Education and Research
Location: Nairobi, Kenya (with regular travel within Africa and occasional travel to France)
Reference: 2026/TLSARIACA/16241
Employment Type: Field Position (Contract: CDDU)
Duration: 12 months, renewable annually for up to 5 years (66-month total programme duration)
Expected Start Date: Around January 2027 (subject to contract signature with the European Union)
Application Deadline: October 4, 2026 (Close of Business)
About the Programme
The Study and Research in Africa (SRIA) initiative is a €65.35 million European Union-funded programme running from January 2027 to June 2032. SRIA aims to strengthen African higher education, research, and innovation ecosystems, improving the capacity, technical quality, and international attractiveness of African Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) while advancing Global Gateway priorities.
Expertise France has been selected by the EU as the Coordinating Agency for Components 2, 3, and 4:
Component 1: Opportunities
Component 2: Partnerships
Component 3: Targeted Support
Component 4: Research Excellence / ARISE 2.0
Role Overview
Expertise France is seeking an experienced, high-caliber Team Leader to provide strategic leadership, overall supervision, and operational coordination for Components 2, 3, and 4 of the SRIA-ARISE programme.
Based in Nairobi, you will lead the Expertise France operational team, oversee multi-partner management, manage donor and institutional relations, and ensure coherent delivery across all components alongside European Union, African, and European stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Programme Inception
Lead the operationalization of the programme’s strategic direction and oversee the initial inception phase (team setup, work planning, budgeting, and procedural frameworks).
Develop consolidated annual work plans, risk mitigation frameworks, and budgets.
Represent Expertise France and the consortium in strategic dialogues with the EU, government ministries, higher education institutions, and international partners.
Operational & Team Management
Direct and manage the Expertise France field operational team, fostering a high-performance, collaborative environment.
Oversee multi-partner collaboration, technical assistance facilities, sub-grants, and contractual arrangements.
Ensure strict compliance with EU, Expertise France, and project-specific administrative and financial requirements.
Stakeholder Coordination & Component Integration
Ensure seamless inter-component integration (Components 2, 3, and 4) and align efforts with Component 1 and broader Team Europe initiatives.
Build and sustain relationships with key actors across African and European research and higher education networks.
Drive monitoring, evaluation, learning (MEL), communication, and knowledge-management strategies to showcase progress and impact.
Qualifications & Candidate Profile
Education & Certifications
Required: Master’s degree in International Relations, Development Studies, Project Management, Education, or a related field.
Preferred: PhD in a relevant discipline.
Certifications: Project management certifications (PM2, PMP, or equivalent) are highly desirable.
Required Work Experience
Senior Leadership: Minimum of 10 years managing international cooperation programmes, with significant experience as a Team Leader or Senior Programme Manager (preferably in Sub-Saharan Africa).
Donor & Policy Expertise: Strong track record managing large-scale, multi-partner donor projects (specifically EU-funded) and delivering policy/capacity-building advice to public institutions.
Sector Experience: Demonstrated experience working with higher education, research funding bodies, and innovation ecosystems.
Cross-Cutting Priorities: Proven track record integrating gender equality, disability inclusion, digital transformation, and environmental sustainability into complex development projects.
Core Competencies & Languages
Deep expertise in EU external action, administrative protocols, and financial procedures.
Excellent negotiation, diplomatic, and cross-cultural leadership skills.
Languages: Full professional fluency in English and French (spoken and written) is mandatory. Proficiency in Portuguese is an asset.
Compensation & Benefits
Competitive international salary package.
Comprehensive health and medical insurance coverage.
Social security and pension contribution plan.
Renewal terms tied to annual performance review for up to 5 years.
How to Apply
Interested candidates meeting the requirements should prepare the following documents:
An up-to-date Curriculum Vitae (CV).
A tailored Cover Letter highlighting relevant experience.
Contact details (email and telephone) for two professional references.
Submit your application directly through the official recruitment portal:
👉 Apply Here – Expertise France Official Career Portal
Note: Applications close on October 4, 2026 (COB). Expertise France reserves the right to pre-select and interview candidates prior to the closing date.
