Lead, Eastern & Southern Partner Network, Scholars Program

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 have entered a very exciting time at the Foundation as we scale up our operations across Africa to realize our Young Africa Works strategy. Our role at the Mastercard Foundation is to be a catalyst. Our Young Africa Works strategy focuses on working with others to spur systemic change so young people have the opportunity to find work that is dignified and fulfilling.

The Foundation has opened offices in Rwanda, Kenya, Ghana, Senegal, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Uganda, building a broader leadership presence in Africa to develop specific strategies that support youth employment.  Within a country, we work with governments, the private sector, educators, young people, and other funders to improve the quality of education and vocational training, prepare young people for the work force, expand access to financial services for entrepreneurs and small businesses, and connect job seekers to dignified and fulfilling work.

We are ambitious and driven. Our values transcend and rise above everything else as our guide. We encourage you to bring your bold ideas, curiosity, and expertise to your work. We laugh at ourselves and with each other. We are a team. Our journey together makes our impact even more meaningful.

UNDERSTANDING CANADA PROGRAMS AT THE FOUNDATION

The Foundation has begun working within Canada in partnership with Indigenous communities and post-secondary institutions to listen, learn, and best understand how we can act in meaningful ways. The EleV strategy was co-created with Indigenous communities, young people, and partners to enable 30,000 Indigenous youth to complete their education and transition to dignified work aligned with their values and aspirations.

As reflected in Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, education is a key driver of improved socio-economic well-being. Through building partnerships with Indigenous communities, we look to expand our initiative ultimately helping to support a generation of transformative Indigenous young leaders who will be change agents within their communities. We believe that by setting a bold target, we will encourage engagement across sectors and create momentum that will elevate the strengths and opportunities of Indigenous youth. In keeping with our approach, Indigenous communities and young people will be the drivers of this transformation. The program will promote innovations to address longer-term systemic change to achieve economic prosperity and social well-being within Indigenous communities.

The EleV team oversees current and emerging partnerships related to Indigenous education. Consistent with our overall vision and Youth Africa Works strategy, we will share learnings and opportunities to connect across the work of the Foundation. While operating in distinct contexts, the centrality of youth voice and vision, affirmation of culture and identity, and priority to enhance community capacity for self-determination are common threads upon which our work is strengthened and reinforced.

If you are an experienced Lead, Partner Network, Scholars Program professional looking to increase your impact, read on!

THE OPPORTUNITY

Reporting to the Head, Eastern & Southern Africa Partner Network – Scholars Program, the role will be responsible for engaging partners, youth and key stakeholders for successful implementation of the Scholars Program.

The successful candidate will be based in any of our listed offices in Africa (Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya or Rwanda).

WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE

• Contribute to the design and evolution of the Scholars Program.  
• Contribute to identification of new partnership opportunities within the region and structuring the partnership framework. 
• Coordinate and contribute to co-creation process with new partners, in relevant consultation.
• Provide partners with advice and accompaniment re: implementation, tracking progress, and identifying learning. Ensure high-quality delivery of the Scholars Program at partner institutions.  
• Collaborate with the Transitions team to ensure successful transition of Scholars into the world of work (employment, entrepreneurship) or further education.  
• Collaborate with the Transformative Leadership team to ensure that all program partners build and implement their transformative leadership programs and experiences for Scholars.  
• Collaborate with the refugees, internally displaced youth and young people with disabilities team to advance inclusion across program design and delivery.  
• Capture data and learning and ensure that insights and impact are routinely and effectively reported and integrated into program adaptations. 
• Support partner institutions to ensure safeguarding of Scholars and program participants.  
• Cultivate and manage relationships with stakeholders to scale impact. 
• Support connections and exchange and learning across the Scholars Program regional portfolio.  
• Contribute to the planning and delivery of face-to-face convening and virtual meetings.
• Gather feedback to inform broader program development activities. 
• Line manage Program Partners, Program Analysts and Interns within the team.

WHO YOU ARE

• Bachelor’s degree or a master’s in business administration, public policy, international development, social sciences, applied sciences or related field from a recognized university is required.
• Member of a relevant professional body.
• Minimum of ten (10) years’ relevant experience in a similar organization.
• Experience in engaging with faculty/staff in higher education institutions, civil society organizations, government, private sector etc., as well as young people.
• Managing multiple projects and delivering results in a fast-paced and fluid environment.
• Experience in designing and delivering leadership development programs for young people, in Africa.
• Experience with global grant making. This experience may come from working in another funding organization, corporation or an NGO.
• Experience working across cultures and geographies, living and working in Africa is highly desirable.
• Fluent in English. Fluent in local languages as the role demands.
• Deep knowledge of key issues and emerging trends and barriers in education and youth employment in Africa.
• Excellent analytical skills, the ability to think strategically and contribute as a thought partner in the Foundation’s strategy development.
• Experience and sensitivity to issues of inclusion; experience delivering programs for women, people with disabilities, and/or refugees and displaced youth highly desirable.
• Exceptional interpersonal and listening skills with the ability to build effective partnerships across all levels of the Foundation.
• Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills with the ability to articulate information to a variety of constituents across cultures.
• Proficiency with MS Suite (Word, Excel and PowerPoint).
• Passionate about youth education and employment in Africa
• Commitment to engaging and empowering young people, particularly women, and other marginalized groups such as refugees and displaced youth, and young people with disabilities.
• Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to plan and act strategically over long time frames, patience and persistence to achieve goals; and ability to balance immediate executional needs with longer term visioning.
• A team-player with a high degree of emotional intelligence.
• Entrepreneurial mindset to build a new function in a dynamic environment
• Service Mindset and striving towards becoming a trusted business partner to drive common Foundation goals.
• Results-driven and motivated by a high sense of performance excellence and urgency.
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple priorities and respond to urgent situations in a fast-paced, fluid environment.
• Drive to continually experiment and innovate, building and leveraging best-in-class expertise and learnings.
• Commitment to the values of co-creation, humility, kindness and respect, impact and deep listening.
• Demonstrate a commitment to MasterCard Foundation’s values and vision.

Deadline for Applications is December 14, 2022.

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/
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