Lead Writer, Corporate Communications

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 Communications professional looking to increase your impact, read on!

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Mastercard Foundation is seeking a talented Writer to develop clear, well-written content that informs, engages, and inspires internal and external stakeholders. The candidate will collaborate closely with a wide variety of stakeholders across the Foundation and externally to produce content that tells the story of the Foundation across multiple channels. The role will work with the Head of Corporate Communications and Lead, Brand and Content to create and publish content that meets the Foundation’s guidelines and standards.

WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE

• Contribute to annual strategic planning process.
• Develop and or contribute to corporate related content, including Foundation corporate announcements, signature publications and reports, feature articles, brand videos, corporate campaign materials, corporate content for Foundation website, etc.
• Contribute to review and editing of internal and external Foundation newsletters.
• Develop communications materials, including core Foundation presentation, fact sheet, key messages, Q&A, and key programmatic backgrounders (e.g., Scholars Program, EleV, etc.).
• Update corporate communications policies and guidelines as required.
• Develop narratives, messaging, and evergreen content as needed.
• Develop annual Mastercard report, content for annual Mastercard Sustainability report, and update Foundation/Mastercard guidelines on an annual basis.
• Support Program Communications Writer(s) in reviewing and editing partner releases, toolkits, and other program-related materials as necessary.
• Mentor and coach Program Communications Writer on the team.
• Synthesize complex material into structured, readable documentation.
• Adhere and contribute to in-house style and branding guides.
• Collaborate with multiple stakeholders and subject matter experts to obtain an in-depth understanding of the Foundation’s work and to ensure maximum content applicability.
• Foster an atmosphere of collaboration and leadership within the greater Corporate Communications editorial team.

WHO YOU ARE

• Bachelor’s degree in English, communications, business, or another relevant field is required.
• At least 7-10 years of professional experience in writing for traditional or digital agencies, in-house marketing, or communications team.
• Ability to master the Mastercard Foundation’s tone of voice and deliver content that makes complex concepts easy to understand.
• Excellent written communication and grammatical skills.
• Ability to think strategically and creatively.
• Experience writing short and long form content and creating content that is accurate and engaging.
• Ability to generate big ideas and a creative approach to storytelling.
• Experience in working with and interviewing subject matter experts and project managers.
• Knowledge of video content development and production.
• Knowledge and proficiency in working with communications agencies, video production houses, etc. and ability to negotiate and manage vendor contracts.
• Resourceful and able to work with minimal guidance.
• Ability to manage several complex projects simultaneously and deliver quality work under deadline pressure.
• A self-starter who is comfortable working in a fast-paced and high ambiguity environment.
• Exceptional project management, collaboration, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong sense of initiative, follow-through, and extreme attention to detail.
• Experience working with international teams and demonstrated empathy for regional needs and preferences.
• Proficiency in Adobe products and graphics, PPT, Excel, Microsoft, etc.
• Flexible, adaptable, and able to execute a range of job duties and changing priorities.
• Possess excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills with the ability to articulate information to a variety of constituents across cultures.
• Possess professional maturity, sensitivity with different cultures, and impeccable integrity that exemplify the Foundation’s values.
• Demonstrate a commitment to Mastercard Foundation’s values and vision.

Deadline for Applications is March 10, 2023.

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