Research and Advocacy Specialist
AI summary
AfricaNenda Foundation is hiring a Research and Advocacy Specialist in Nairobi, Kenya. The role involves developing evidence-generation and advocacy strategies, conducting high-quality research on instant payment systems, and producing policy materials to influence regulatory reforms. Full-time position with a deadline of 5 October 2026.
- Full-time position based in Nairobi, Kenya
- Deadline: 5 October 2026
- Focus on evidence strategy, research, and advocacy for inclusive payment systems
- Requires designing and supporting primary and secondary research
- Involves producing policy briefs, position papers, and advocacy materials
AI job guide
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AI salary guide
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- UnclearRelated work experienceThe text mentions experience, but the exact level should be confirmed at source.
- RequiredEducation or certification mentioned in the postThe captured text mentions education, a diploma, certificate, or licence.
- PreferredPractical evidence in sales, factory, internshipThe tags and summary point to skills connected with this role.
- RequiredAvailability to work in Not specifiedThe vacancy is associated with this location.
- UnclearComfort with the Full Time contract termsConfirm hours, duration, probation and benefits at the original source.
Documents to prepare
- Likely requiredUpdated CV
- Role specificCover letter or short employer message
- OptionalProfessional references
- Role specificAcademic or professional certificates
- VerifyID or passport only after verifying the employer
Application tips for this job
- Place your strongest Research and Advocacy Specialist evidence in the first half of your CV.
- In your cover letter or employer message, connect your experience to AfricaNenda Foundation and the role in Not specified.
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- Follow the instructions from Mimus Jobs Kenya; avoid sending documents to unofficial contacts or copied links.
- Confirm the deadline, interview location and employer contact before sharing personal documents.
- Plan to submit before the listed deadline: 2026-10-05.
Source and safety check
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- Original source link available
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- Deadline is available: 2026-10-05
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Interview preparation
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Original source description
- R
- Research and Advocacy Specialist
- Jobs Kenya
- Full Time
- Nairobi
- Nairobi
- Deadline:
- 5 October 2026
- Posted
- September 19, 2026
- Key
Responsibilities
- Evidence strategy and planning
- The Specialist will:
- Support the Director to define and maintain AfricaNenda Foundation’s evidence-generation and advocacy priorities.
- Develop an annual and rolling evidence agenda linked to AfricaNenda Foundation’s organizational strategy, program priorities and emerging sector issues.
- Translate strategic priorities into clear research questions, analytical workstreams, products, audiences and influencing opportunities.
- Identify critical evidence gaps that limit policy action or weaken the case for inclusive instant payment systems reforms.
- Maintain a forward-looking calendar of research outputs, policy processes, regulatory developments, stakeholder moments and advocacy opportunities.
- Ensure that evidence-generation plans are realistic, appropriately sequenced and linked to intended policy or advocacy outcomes.
- Research and analysis
- The Specialist will:
- Conduct high-quality desk research, literature reviews, policy and regulatory reviews, comparative analysis, political-economy analysis and rapid evidence assessments.
- Design and support primary research using appropriate qualitative and quantitative methods, including
- interviews, focus groups, surveys, consultations and case studies. Support research commissioning and quality assurance.
- Analyze developments affecting IIPS, including, governance, participation rules, scheme design, pricing, use cases, access channels, consumer protection and recourse.
- Produce analysis on relevant adjacent issues, including digital public infrastructure, digital identity, data governance, competition, open finance, cross-border payments, digital trade and responsible innovation.
- Undertake country, regional and continental scans to identify policy trends, implementation gaps, emerging risks and transferable lessons.
- Develop research frameworks, methodologies, interview guides, survey tools, evidence matrices and quality-assurance protocols. Validate findings through triangulation, peer review and stakeholder consultation.
- Maintain complete and traceable source records and ensure that all factual claims are verifiable.
- Present evidence honestly, distinguishing clearly between findings, interpretation, assumptions and recommendations.
- Identify where evidence is incomplete or contested and advise on the implications for AfricaNenda Foundation’s position.
- Maintain a clear record of approvals, versions, sources, research ethics
Requirements
- and intellectualproperty arrangements.
- Advocacy strategy and execution
- The Specialist will support the translation of AfricaNenda Foundation’s evidence into clear institutional positions, targeted advocacy strategies and coordinated actions that influence policy, regulation and practice.
- The Specialist will:
- Support the Director in developing, executing and periodically refining AfricaNenda Foundation’s advocacy strategy, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and approved institutional positions.
- Translate research and technical evidence into clear policy implications, institutional positions, practical recommendations and targeted advocacy asks.
- Develop issue-specific advocacy plans defining objectives, priority audiences, influence pathways, key messages, tactics, milestones, risks and indicators.
- Produce high-quality advocacy materials, including policy briefs, position papers, regulatory analyses, consultation responses, executive memos, briefing notes and talking points.
- Identify policy windows and decision points, segment stakeholders by influence and interest, and tailor advocacy approaches to the mandates and incentives of priority actors.
- Coordinate advocacy execution across technical programs, capacity development, communications and partnerships, including coalition building, leadership engagement and systematic follow-up on commitments.
- Monitor stakeholder responses, institutional constraints and advocacy outcomes; adapt approaches accordingly; and maintain a repository of approved positions, messages, recommendations and supporting evidence.
- Ensure all advocacy is technically sound, politically informed, non-partisan, inclusion-focused and consistent with AfricaNenda Foundation’s mission.
- Design and coordinate stakeholder engagement strategies, policy dialogues, consultations, roundtables and bilateral meetings, including preparing materials and decision-focused briefing packs for the AfricaNenda leadership.
- Build trusted relationships, represent AfricaNenda Foundation when delegated, incorporate underserved-user perspectives, and maintain disciplined records and follow-up on decisions, commitments and agreed actions.
- Essential qualifications
- A master’s degree in public policy, economics, finance, development studies, law, political science, international relations, public administration or another relevant discipline.
- At least seven years of progressively responsible
Experience
- in applied research, policy analysis, advocacy, financial inclusion, digital financial services, payment systems, digital public infrastructure or a closely related field.
- Demonstrated
- conducting research and converting findings into clear DFS ecosystem recommendations and advocacy propositions.
- Strong
- producing high-quality policy briefs, research reports, presentations and stakeholder engagement materials.
- engaging policymakers, regulators/central banks, development partners and private-sector institutions
- managing research assignments or consultants and assuring the quality of technical outputs.
- Strong understanding of African DFS policy, regulatory and instant payment system contexts.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple workstreams and deliver high-quality outputs under tight timelines.
- Demonstrated
- applying systematic-review methodologies and tools, including PRISMA 2020 and PRISMA-P protocols; managing research references and citations using Zotero and EndNote; and conducting qualitative thematic coding and analysis using NVivo and ATLAS.ti.
- Ability to develop concise executive products as well as substantive research outputs
- Desirable qualifications
- Direct
- in instant payments, interoperability, payment-system governance, financial-sector regulation or digital public infrastructure.
- working across multiple African countries or regions and applying political-economy analysis to policy or advocacy work.
- Relevant publications or a demonstrable portfolio of policy and research products.
- Mandatory proficiency in English, while bi-lingual English – French desired.
- Qualified candidates are invited to submit:
- Qualifications
- MBA/MSc/MA
- Required
- 7 years
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