Remote Research and Advocacy Specialist Job Opportunity at AfricaNenda Foundation

Remote Research and Advocacy Specialist Job Opportunity at AfricaNenda Foundation

AfricaNenda Foundation is recruiting a Research and Advocacy Specialist to support its research, policy analysis and advocacy work focused on inclusive instant payment systems across Africa. The position is remote within Africa and reports to the Director, Advocacy and Capacity Development.

The successful candidate will conduct research, analyze policy and regulatory developments, translate evidence into advocacy positions and support stakeholder engagement across the African digital financial services ecosystem.

Opportunity Snapshot

• Organization: AfricaNenda Foundation
• Position: Research and Advocacy Specialist
• Location: Remote – Africa
• Work Arrangement: Remote
• Reports To: Director, Advocacy and Capacity Development
• Experience: At least 7 years of relevant experience
• Minimum Qualification: Master’s degree in a relevant discipline
• Application Deadline: 5 October 2026
• Application Method: Email application

What Is the Research and Advocacy Specialist Job About?

The Research and Advocacy Specialist will strengthen AfricaNenda Foundation’s evidence-generation and advocacy activities.

The role combines research, policy analysis and advocacy. The successful candidate will help identify research priorities, conduct and commission research, analyze findings, develop policy and thought-leadership products, support leadership engagements and coordinate advocacy initiatives.

The Specialist will also monitor policy and industry developments and document advocacy results and lessons to support future research and influencing strategies.

Who Can Apply for the Research and Advocacy Specialist Position at AfricaNenda Foundation?

This position is suitable for professionals with significant experience in applied research, policy analysis, advocacy, financial inclusion, digital financial services, payment systems, digital public infrastructure or related fields.

Applicants should have a strong understanding of African digital financial services and experience translating research findings into practical recommendations, policy positions and advocacy messages.

Key Responsibilities of the Research and Advocacy Specialist at AfricaNenda Foundation

Evidence Strategy and Planning

• Support the Director in defining and maintaining AfricaNenda Foundation’s evidence-generation and advocacy priorities.
• Develop annual and rolling evidence agendas aligned with the organization’s strategy and emerging sector issues.
• Translate strategic priorities into research questions, analytical workstreams, products, audiences and influencing opportunities.
• Identify evidence gaps that may limit policy action or weaken the case for inclusive instant payment reforms.
• Maintain a forward-looking calendar covering research outputs, policy processes, regulatory developments, stakeholder engagements and advocacy opportunities.
• Ensure evidence-generation plans are realistic, properly sequenced and connected to intended policy outcomes.

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Research and Analysis

• Conduct desk research, literature reviews, policy and regulatory reviews, comparative analysis, political-economy analysis and rapid evidence assessments.
• Design and support primary research using qualitative and quantitative methods, including interviews, focus groups, surveys, consultations and case studies.
• Support research commissioning and quality assurance.
• Analyze developments affecting inclusive instant payment systems, including governance, participation rules, scheme design, pricing, use cases, access channels, consumer protection and recourse.
• Conduct research on digital public infrastructure, digital identity, data governance, competition, open finance, cross-border payments, digital trade and responsible innovation.
• Conduct country, regional and continental research 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 factual claims are verifiable.
• Distinguish between research findings, interpretation, assumptions and recommendations.
• Identify incomplete or contested evidence and assess its implications for AfricaNenda Foundation’s positions.
• Maintain records of approvals, versions, sources, research ethics requirements and intellectual-property arrangements.

Advocacy Strategy and Execution

• Support the Director in developing, implementing and refining AfricaNenda Foundation’s advocacy strategy.
• Translate research and technical evidence into policy implications, institutional positions, practical recommendations and targeted advocacy asks.
• Develop issue-specific advocacy plans covering objectives, priority audiences, influence pathways, key messages, tactics, milestones, risks and indicators.
• Prepare policy briefs, position papers, regulatory analyses, consultation responses, executive memos, briefing notes and talking points.
• Identify policy windows and decision points.
• Segment stakeholders according to influence and interest and tailor engagement approaches to their mandates and incentives.
• Coordinate advocacy activities across technical programmes, capacity development, communications and partnerships.
• Support coalition building, leadership engagement and follow-up on commitments.
• Monitor stakeholder responses, institutional constraints and advocacy outcomes.
• Maintain a repository of approved positions, messages, recommendations and supporting evidence.
• Ensure advocacy work is technically sound, politically informed, non-partisan, inclusion-focused and consistent with AfricaNenda Foundation’s mission.
• Design and coordinate policy dialogues, consultations, roundtables and bilateral meetings.
• Prepare decision-focused briefing materials for AfricaNenda leadership.
• Build trusted stakeholder relationships and represent AfricaNenda Foundation when delegated.
• Incorporate u?nderserved-user perspectives into advocacy and policy engagement.

Qualifications and Experience for the Research and Advocacy Specialist Role at AfricaNenda Foundation

Essential Qualifications

Applicants should have:

• A Master’s degree in Public Policy, Economics, Finance, Development Studies, Law, Political Science, International Relations, Public Administration or another relevant discipline.
• At least 7 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 experience conducting research and translating findings into recommendations and advocacy propositions for the digital financial services ecosystem.
• Strong experience producing policy briefs, research reports, presentations and stakeholder engagement materials.
• Experience engaging policymakers, regulators, central banks, development partners and private-sector institutions.
• Experience managing research assignments or consultants and assuring the quality of technical outputs.
• Strong understanding of African digital financial services policy, regulatory and instant payment system contexts.
• Ability to manage multiple workstreams and deliver high-quality outputs under tight deadlines.
• Experience applying systematic-review methodologies and tools, including PRISMA 2020 and PRISMA-P protocols.
• Experience managing research references and citations using Zotero and EndNote.
• Experience conducting qualitative thematic coding and analysis using NVivo and ATLAS.ti.
• Ability to develop concise executive products as well as substantive research outputs.

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Desirable Qualifications

The following qualifications and experience are desirable:

• Direct experience in instant payments, interoperability, payment-system governance, financial-sector regulation or digital public infrastructure.
• Experience working across multiple African countries or regions.
• Experience applying political-economy analysis to policy or advocacy work.
• Relevant publications or a demonstrable portfolio of policy and research products.
• Fluency in English.
• English-French bilingual proficiency is desirable.

Application Requirements for the Research and Advocacy Specialist Role at AfricaNenda Foundation

Interested candidates should submit:

• A cover letter demonstrating suitability for the role.
• A current CV highlighting relevant responsibilities and achievements.
• Contact details for three professional referees, including one recent supervisor or client.
• Two publications substantially authored by the applicant:
• • One research output.
  • One advocacy or thought-leadership output, such as a policy note, blog or thematic think piece.

How to Apply for the Research and Advocacy Specialist Vacancy at AfricaNenda Foundation

Applicants should send their complete application by email to:

applications@africanenda.org

Use the following email subject:

Research and Advocacy Specialist

Applicants should clearly label their files, for example:

• CV – Name
• Cover Letter – Name

Application Deadline and Timeline

• The application deadline is 5 October 2026.
• Applications must be submitted by close of business EAT on 5 October 2026.
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Shortlisted candidates may be required to complete a practical written assessment covering insight synthesis, policy analysis, advocacy positioning and thought leadership.

Important Things to Know Before Applying

• The position is remote and open to candidates based in Africa.
• Applicants must have at least 7 years of relevant professional experience.
• A Master’s degree in a relevant discipline is required.
• Applicants are expected to demonstrate research and policy-analysis experience.
• Applicants must submit two substantially authored publications as part of the application.
• One submitted publication must be a research output, while the other must be an advocacy or thought-leadership output.
• The application must be submitted by close of business EAT on 5 October 2026.
• AfricaNenda Foundation states that it is an equal-opportunity employer and encourages applications from people of all backgrounds.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What position is AfricaNenda Foundation recruiting for?

AfricaNenda Foundation is recruiting a Research and Advocacy Specialist.

Where is the Research and Advocacy Specialist position located?

The position is remote within Africa.

Who does the Research and Advocacy Specialist report to?

The Specialist reports to the Director, Advocacy and Capacity Development.

What qualification is required?

Applicants must have a Master’s degree in Public Policy, Economics, Finance, Development Studies, Law, Political Science, International Relations, Public Administration or another relevant discipline.

How much work experience is required?

Applicants need at least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in a relevant field.

What documents are required?

Applicants should submit a cover letter, current CV with details for three professional referees, and two substantially authored publications.

What publications should applicants submit?

Applicants should submit one research output and one advocacy or thought-leadership output, such as a policy note, blog or thematic think piece.

What is the application deadline?

The deadline is 5 October 2026, by close of business EAT.

How do I apply for the AfricaNenda Foundation Research and Advocacy Specialist job?

Send your complete application to applications@africanenda.org using “Research and Advocacy Specialist” as the email subject.

Who Should Apply?

This opportunity is suitable for experienced professionals with a strong background in research, policy analysis and advocacy, particularly those with experience in digital financial services, financial inclusion, payment systems, digital public infrastructure or related areas.

Candidates should also be comfortable conducting research, analyzing evidence, producing policy and research publications, engaging stakeholders and translating evidence into practical policy and advocacy recommendations.

Conclusion

The AfricaNenda Foundation Research and Advocacy Specialist position offers an opportunity for an experienced research and policy professional to contribute to work focused on inclusive instant payment systems across Africa.

Applicants who meet the qualification and experience requirements should prepare their CV, cover letter and two required publications and submit the complete application to applications@africanenda.org before 5 October 2026.