ABOUT MASTERCARD FOUNDATION

Mastercard Foundation seeks a world where everyone has the opportunity to learn and prosper. Through its Young Africa Works strategy and Canadian EleV program, the Foundation works with partners to ensure that millions of young people, especially young women, access quality education, financial services, and dignified work. Mastercard Foundation was established in 2006 through the generosity of Mastercard when it became a public company. The Foundation is independent with its own Board of Directors and CEO.

THE WORK AT THE FOUNDATION

We are currently in an exciting period at the Mastercard Foundation as we intensify the implementation of the Young Africa Works strategy, aiming to empower 30 million young people throughout Africa to access dignified and fulfilling employment.

To ensure the Foundation’s accessibility to our partners and program participants, we have established offices in Rwanda, Kenya, Ghana, Senegal, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Uganda. These offices provide strong in-country support for the implementation of Young Africa Works. We collaborate with governments, the private sector, educators, and other funders to enhance the quality of education and vocational training, equip young individuals with the necessary skills for the workforce, expand access to financial services for entrepreneurs and small businesses, and facilitate connections between job seekers and meaningful employment opportunities.

Our values serve as our guiding principles, transcending and surpassing all other considerations. We wholeheartedly encourage you to bring your bold ideas, curiosity, and expertise to your work.

If you are an experienced professional in program management and strategic development looking to increase your impact, read on!

THE OPPORTUNITY

Reporting to the Head, Country Programs, the Partner, Strategy & Planning will collaborate closely with the Country Head to enhance the effectiveness of program delivery. You will support the planning, alignment, review, and performance tracking of country programs against Young Africa Works (YAW) goals, ensuring cross-pillar coordination and assisting planning and monitoring teams. Additionally, you will aid in identifying strategic opportunities, conducting analysis, and developing recommendations aligned with the country’s context and Young Africa Works strategy.

WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE

• Support the Country Head and Country Programs Head in performance tracking, maintaining systems, processes, templates, and toolsets aligned with the country context.
• Maintain and monitor governance processes for planning tools.
  Regular status reporting, tracking pillar performance against targets, and collating data on Business Intelligence.
• Support program execution, including planning, team management, team development, change management, and communications.
• Provide analytical support for assessing and evaluating strategic opportunities to drive impact.
• Support the development of reports and strategic recommendations based on internal and external insights.
• Develop, analyze, and present materials for Country Leadership review.
• Identify, document, assess, monitor, report, and escalate dependencies, risks, issues, and decisions related to country programming.
• Support short-term and long-term country planning initiatives.
• Prepare management reports for the Country Head and Country Programs Head.

WHO YOU ARE 

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in business administration or a related field; a master’s degree is an added advantage.
• PMP or relevant Project Management Certification.
• Minimum of 7 years’ experience managing projects/programs, preferably in education, youth employment, entrepreneurship, digital economy, or agriculture/food systems.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
• Proven experience designing programs, building partnerships, and collaborating with stakeholders from NGOs, multilateral organizations, educational institutions, government, MSMEs, private sector, and youth.
• Strong skills in integrating gender equality and inclusion outcomes in programs.
• Ability to work across cultures and geographies; experience working in Africa is required.
• Expertise in systems thinking, engaging stakeholders, and addressing root causes and critical ecosystem needs.
• Knowledge of key issues, trends, and barriers in African youth employment.
• Strong project management, organizational, prioritization, and coordination skills, with attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Excellent communication, presentation, proofreading, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to tailor information for diverse audiences.
• Strong interpersonal and listening skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships.
• Impeccable judgment, emotional intelligence, and comfort with ambiguity and complexity.
• Entrepreneurial mindset, team player, eager to learn, and committed to the Foundation’s values.

Deadline for Applications is October 10, 2024.

Mastercard Foundation (the “Foundation”) values and respects your privacy. By submitting an application for this opportunity, you hereby agree to the Foundation’s collection, use and disclosure of your personal information in accordance with its Privacy Policy (available at https://mastercardfdn.org/privacy/). Please note that the Foundation may share your personal information with third-party agencies that support the Foundation’s recruitment activities, and such third-party agencies may contact you directly regarding this opportunity. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Foundation’s Privacy Officer at the address indicated in its Privacy Policy.

The Mastercard Foundation values the unique skills and experiences each individual brings to the organization and we are committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and accessible environment for everyone.

Completion of satisfactory business references and background checks are essential conditions of employment.

For more information and to sign up for the Foundation’s newsletter, please visit http://www.mastercardfdn.org/
Follow the Foundation on Twitter at @MastercardFdn

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