INASP – the International Network for Advancing Science and Policy – is an international organisation, established in 1992, with a mission to support tertiary education and research systems in the Global South. For over 30 years INASP has worked with universities, research organizations, think tanks and governments across Africa, Asia and Latin America to strengthen research, teaching and learning, and to ensure that Global South researchers and educators can produce the knowledge that their countries and communities need.
We work to achieve impact in three areas:
- Enabling researchers to generate critical knowledge for policy, practice and their communities, by supporting early career researchers and their institutions to work with stakeholders to undertake research that addresses priority problems.
- Enabling youth to secure meaningful and dignified work, by working with tertiary institutions and their staff to ensure that degree programmes give graduates the skills, confidence and resilience to thrive.
- Enabling women educators and researchers to lead change, by working with research systems and institutions to ensure curricula and classrooms are inclusive and enable women to succeed in their studies and research.
With a base in Oxford, UK, we are a virtual team which spans 13 countries.
Background and context
Across Africa, increasing attention is being paid to the need for equitable and sustainable open access systems that better serve researchers, institutions, policy makers and the broader public. However, there is currently no unified vision or strategy to guide investments, policymaking, and institutional reform around open research. The Science for Africa (SFA) Foundation, with support from the International Network for Advancing Science and Policy (INASP), seeks to develop an Africa-led vision and strategy for open research. This work will lay the groundwork for long-term investment in infrastructure, institutional strengthening, and research policy reform. The outputs will also inform ongoing and future engagements with key stakeholders including Science Granting Councils (SGCs), the African Union (AU), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and development partners.
Purpose
The purpose of this consultancy is to:
- Co-develop a concise, forward-looking vision for Open Research in Africa
- Develop a strategy for SFA Foundation, outlining actionable goals, priorities, and pathways to strengthen open research infrastructure, incentives, and policy frameworks on the continent
- Inform regional advocacy, future fundraising, and broader African leadership in global Open Research. The strategy will serve as a guiding framework for SFA Foundation's internal planning, funder engagement, and policy advocacy efforts, ensuring alignment with continental priorities and global open science standards
Scope of work and key tasks
The consultant will be expected to work closely with the SFA Foundation and INASP team members including external stakeholders to perform the following:
Situational analysis and scoping
- Review existing reports, policies and initiatives related to Open Access and Open Research in Africa
- Map key infrastructure (platforms, repositories, data services) and funding models.
- Assess challenges, opportunities and stakeholder roles.
Vision development
- Develop a concise 2-3-page vision document for Open Research in Africa including:
- Key values and principles (e.g. equity, openness, African leadership)
- An articulation of how Africa researchers and researcher users experience should be like
- High-level goals for infrastructure, governance, and research visibility
- Alignment with current continental strategies and vision documents in Africa e.g. Africa Agenda 2063, Science Technology and Innovation Strategy Strategy for Africa 2034
- Alignment with global open science standards (e.g. UNESCO, Plan S)
- Facilitate consultation on the draft vision including through at least 1 in-person workshop or meeting at a relevant conference
- Refine and finalise the Vision for Open Research in Africa
Strategy Development
- Develop a 5-year strategy for SFA Foundation document outlining:
- Strategic priorities and thematic pillars (e.g. infrastructure, policy, capacity, incentives, sustainability)
- Key programmes, partnerships, and engagement mechanisms
- A high-level results framework with key metrics and indicators for success informed by a theory of change/Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning framework (MEL)
- One-Year Implementation Plan (2026) detailing priority actions, timelines, and responsible actors to initiate strategy rollout.
- Knowledge brief/lessons learned documents summarising insights from the process
Stakeholder engagement and validation
- Facilitate one in-person consultations and/or side sessions at selected regional/continental meetings (travel expenses to be covered by INASP)
- Facilitate virtual consultations with SFA Foundation staff
- Incorporate feedback from the feedback into vision documents and revised strategy
Final outputs
- Vision document for Open Research in Africa (2-3 pages)
- 5-year Open Research Strategy for SFA Foundation with embedded 1 year implementation plan with annexes (e.g. consultation notes, lesson learned) (max 20 pages)
- One year implementation plan for the Open Research Strategy for SFA Foundation
- Stakeholder consultation summary report for the vision document
- Presentation deck for stakeholder dissemination
Skills, Experience, and other Qualities
You should possess the following:
- Demonstrated expertise in Open Access/Open Science/Open Research policy and practice
- Experience working with African research institutions, funding agencies, and infrastructure initiatives
- Strong writing, analytical, and stakeholder facilitation skills
- Familiarity with the African policy, research and higher education landscape
- Prior experience delivering vision/strategy documents for public interest research or policy organisations.
To apply for this role please submit your application online (click here).
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. This consultancy will be held open until it is filled.
Data Protection
We are committed to ensuring that your personal details are protected and that we are fully compliant with our legal obligations under the Data Protection Act and the UK General Data Protection Regulations.
Any personal data submitted to INASP as part of the job application process, like your name, address, telephone number and email address, will be processed in accordance with the GDPR and related UK data protection legislation. We will only use that information to process your application and to monitor recruitment statistics. We will not share it with any third parties without your permission.
Personal information about unsuccessful candidates will be held securely for 60 days after the recruitment exercise has been completed, it will then be destroyed or deleted. We retain de-personalised statistical information about applicants to help inform our recruitment activities, but no individuals are identifiable from that data.
Safeguarding
INASP are committed to safeguarding and ensuring the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all employees, trustees, associates, contractors, interns and volunteers to share this commitment.
The suitability of all prospective employees, trustees, associates, contractors, interns and partners will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment.