Head, EdTech Ecosystem

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 Edtech Ecosystem professional looking to increase your impact, read on!

THE OPPORTUNITY

Reporting to the Director, Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning (CITL), the Head, EdTech Ecosystem will be responsible for overseeing the catalyzation and the support of the EdTech Ecosystem in Africa to the benefit of African learners and instructors. You will identify and develop EdTech-enabled solutions to overcome intractable challenges and barriers to high-quality teaching and learning. In this role, you will also engage high-level officials in public and private institutions.

The successful candidate will be based in Nigeria, Rwanda, or Kenya.

WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE

• Contribute to ongoing Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning (CITL) strategy development and evolution.
• Oversee implementation and expansion of the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship program at the continental level.
• Provide support and guidance to the Tech Hubs and EdTech Fellows (current and alumni) in the implementation of a portfolio of interventions for the CITL focusing on EdTech-enabled solutions.
• Enable and facilitate collaboration and partnerships across partner Tech Hubs and EdTech Fellows from across the continent.
• Ensure the capture of data and learnings and ensure they are shared and contribute to the overall knowledge of the EdTech ecosystem.
• Ensure alignment and foster partnership with other Foundation departments and units, especially within Education and Transitions.
• Represent the Foundation at high-level regional education and skills development and technology forums.
• Build a culture of learning, evidence building, and knowledge sharing in EdTech across Africa. Extract, capture, and share the learnings from the CITL programs with the wider EdTech community. 
• Convene high-level forums, bringing together the private and public sector actors to foster close collaboration and ensure the development of demand driven EdTech solutions.
• Engage key thought leaders in the EdTech field to increase the Foundation’s knowledge base and communicate progress and learnings. 
• Provide perspective and expertise on emerging issues and trends in the Ed Tech space to the EdTech partners.
• Stay on top of developments in the EdTech space – new concepts, key partners, new information being generated, policy movements, important upcoming events, etc. 
• Develop and ensure the maintenance of processes, tools, and partnerships necessary to catalyze the EdTech ecosystem in Africa to extend access to quality and relevant learning.

WHO YOU ARE 

• Master’s degree in education, Technology, or related fields; or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum of fifteen (15) years overall experience out of which at least seven (7) years should be at the supervisory level.
• Experience and expertise in establishing networks and relationships in education, EdTech, innovation, and teaching and learning.
• Experience effectively engaging and collaborating with high-level government officials, key partners, media, business leaders, and other network influencers. 
• Experience managing multi-country initiatives.
• Experience working with startup environments and supporting startup companies.
• Experience with public speaking at high-level conferences and other forums including media interaction. Formal media training would be an asset. 
• Excellent strategic capability and ability to plan and deliver complex initiatives. 
• Excellent knowledge of key issues and emerging trends and barriers in education and technology integration and a strong understanding of education policy and practice across Africa. 
• Excellent fluency in English and French or other international languages is an asset. 
• Flexible, adaptable, and able to execute a range of job duties and changing priorities.
• Possess professional maturity, sensitivity to different cultures, and impeccable integrity that exemplify the Foundation’s values.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills with the ability to articulate information to a variety of constituents across cultures.
• Demonstrate a commitment to the Mastercard Foundation’s values and vision.

Deadline for Applications is May 6, 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

NB: To avoid missing email communication about your application, please check your spam/junk folder and mark our emails as "not junk".