VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT – JOIN THE FOUNDING TEAM
The National Research & Innovation Fund (NRIF) is a newly established statutory public institution mandated to finance, coordinate, and strengthen research and innovation in support of The Gambia’s national development priorities.
This is a rare opportunity to join the founding Secretariat of a national institution that will shape how The Gambia invests in knowledge, talent, technology, and solutions for decades to come.
NRIF is inviting applications from suitably qualified Gambians for the following strategic positions:
Open Positions (5)
Director of Finance
Director of Resource Mobilisation, Investment & Partnerships (RMIP)
Programmes Specialist
Procurement Specialist
Marketing, Communications & Knowledge Management Specialist
1) Director of Finance
Duty Station: NRIF Headquarters, Banjul, The Gambia
Reporting to: Executive Director
Contract: Renewable fixed-term (subject to performance and funding)
Why this role matters
You will build the financial backbone of the NRIF, ensuring exemplary governance, transparency, audit readiness, and donor confidence, while safeguarding public resources and enabling the Fund to deliver impact at scale.
Key Responsibilities
Lead NRIF’s financial strategy, budgeting, forecasting, and cashflow management
Establish robust systems for accounting, controls, and compliance
Oversee financial reporting, audits, and statutory submissions
Manage fund stewardship, grant disbursements, and donor financial relationships
Lead digitisation and workflow automation for finance systems
Minimum Requirements
Master’s degree in Finance/Accounting/Public Financial Management/related field
Professional qualification: ACCA/CPA/CFA (or equivalent)
10+ years’ finance experience, including 5+ years at senior leadership level
Strong knowledge of public finance systems, audit, and statutory reporting
2) Director of Resource Mobilisation, Investment & Partnerships (RMIP)
Duty Station: NRIF Headquarters (with national/international travel as required)
Reporting to: Executive Director
Why this role matters
You will power the NRIF’s growth by securing sustainable financing and forging partnerships, connecting government, academia, the private sector, and global funders to unlock new investment in Gambian research and innovation.
Key Responsibilities
Lead NRIF’s resource mobilisation strategy and funding pipeline
Develop high-quality proposals, investment cases, concept notes, and pitches
Negotiate grants, co-financing, and partnership agreements
Engage donors, foundations, private sector, diaspora investors, innovation financiers, and impact investors
Support prudent management of NRIF reserve or co-financing funds in line with applicable public finance laws
Convene donor roundtables, investor forums, and partnership summits
Minimum Requirements
Master’s degree in Development Studies/International Relations/Business/Economics/Finance/Public Policy or related field
7–10 years’ experience in fundraising, donor relations, investment promotion, or partnerships
Demonstrated track record of securing funding and managing high-level negotiations
3) Programmes Specialist
Department: Programmes Unit, NRIF Secretariat
Reporting to: Executive Director
Duty Station: NRIF Headquarters (with national travel)
Why this role matters
You will be the technical lead designing and delivering the NRIF’s programme portfolio, spanning research funding windows, innovation challenges, fellowships, capacity building, and ecosystem-strengthening initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
Design and operationalise NRIF programmes (including theories of change, logframes, guidelines)
Lead technical implementation, coordination, launches, and capacity-building activities
Design and manage competitive funding windows and technical appraisal processes
Conduct monitoring visits, support grantees, and strengthen programme quality
Produce programme briefs, technical reports, and learning products for leadership and the Board
Minimum Requirements
Master’s degree in a relevant discipline
At least 5 years’ experience in programme design/implementation/technical project management
Strong ability to assess proposals, design programmes, and manage complex portfolios
Grant-making experience would be an advantage.
4) Procurement Specialist
Department: Procurement Unit (Independent Unit)
Reporting to: Executive Director
Duty Station: NRIF Headquarters, The Gambia
Why this role matters
You will safeguard value-for-money, integrity, and compliance, ensuring NRIF procurement is transparent, competitive, audit-ready, and aligned with the GPPA and applicable donor requirements.
Key Responsibilities
Develop and manage NRIF’s Annual Procurement Plan
Lead procurement processes (RFQs, RFPs, IFBs), evaluation documentation, and contracting
Provide technical support to the Contracts Committee with complete procurement dossiers
Maintain procurement records, contract registers, and compliance documentation
Identify procurement risks and strengthen controls and SOPs
Minimum Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in Procurement/Supply Chain/Business/Public Administration or related field
At least 5 years’ experience in public or institutional procurement
Strong working knowledge of GPPA procedures and procurement documentation standards
Professional certification (e.g., CIPS) is an advantage
The Procurement Specialist shall operate in accordance with GPPA regulations and established Contracts Committee procedures.
5) Communications & Knowledge Management Specialist
Department: Communications & Knowledge Management Unit
Reporting to: Executive Director
Duty Station: NRIF Headquarters (with travel for events and stakeholder engagement)
Why this role matters
You will position NRIF as a national leader, making research visible, usable, and impactful by translating technical outputs into public value through strategic communication, visibility, and knowledge systems.
Key Responsibilities
Develop and execute NRIF’s communications, branding, and visibility strategy
Manage website, social media, digital content, press releases, and media relations
Build a knowledge management system and digital repository for NRIF outputs
Produce policy briefs, impact stories, newsletters, and learning products
Support grantees with dissemination plans and visibility compliance
Minimum Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in Communications/Marketing/PR/Journalism/Knowledge Management or related field
3–5 years’ experience in communications, digital content, PR, or knowledge management
Strong writing skills and ability to translate complex research into accessible products
Graphic design/multimedia skills are an advantage
Remuneration & Contract Terms
Competitive remuneration aligned with NRIF’s approved salary structure
Renewable fixed-term contracts based on performance and availability of funding
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit:
Cover letter (clearly stating the position applied for)
Detailed CV
Copies of academic and professional certificates
Contact details for at least two (2) referees
Submit applications to: info@nrif.gm
Application deadline: 12th January 2026.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
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