Head, Scholars Program Partner Network – North American

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 Scholars’ Leader looking to increase your impact, read on!

THE OPPORTUNITY

Reporting to the Director of Scholars Program, the Head of Scholars Programs Partner Network will oversee engagement with regional partner networks for the successful design and delivery of the Scholars program.

WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE

• Contribute to the ongoing program strategy development and evolution as a Scholars Program leadership team member.  
• Oversee implementation of the Scholars Program at the regional level, tracking progress, and ensuring high-quality delivery. Set goals and targets for the region and monitor them to ensure their attainment.
• Identify and capitalize on opportunities to link the Scholars Program with Young Africa Works country and regional programs, in the region. 
• Collaborate with the Transitions, Transformative Leadership, and Refugees & Displaced Persons teams to enrich existing and new partnerships.
• Establish means of measuring success and progress across regions, in consultation with the Head of Scholars and Head of Impact.
• Provide ongoing guidance, support, and technical assistance to all Scholars Program partner institutions in the region; lead problem-solving and escalate issues. 
• Champion Program quality and branding, working closely with Program Communications, the Transformative Leadership Team, and senior leadership of implementing partner institutions.
• Collaborate with the Scholars Program Transitions team to ensure a successful transition of Scholars into the world of work or further education.
• Oversee the capture of data and lessons learned and ensure that insights and impact are routinely, effectively reported, and continually integrated into program design and implementation.
• Cultivate and manage relationships with stakeholders to scale impact.
• Facilitate connections, exchange, and learning across the Scholars Program partner network in the region, including contributing to the planning and delivering face-to-face convenings and virtual meetings.
• Champion safeguarding of Scholars and all Program participants.
• Identify and recruit talent, effectively leading regional colleagues, ensuring high quality of work, alignment with Foundation values, access to development opportunities, and a supportive and collaborative work environment. 

WHO YOU ARE

• Master’s degree in a relevant field.
• Relevant professional qualification and a member of a relevant professional body.
• Minimum of twelve (12) years overall experience with at least five (5) years at the supervisory level.
• Experience engaging with senior leadership in higher education institutions, government, private sector, etc., and young people. 
• Experience creating and building a new initiative or transforming an existing one into something more impactful, in a multi-cultural environment. 
• Experience and sensitivity to inclusion issues; experience delivering programs for women, persons with disabilities, and/or refugees and displaced youth highly desirable.
• Experience building and managing high-performing teams in a fast-paced, fluid environment. 
• Excellent strategic capability and ability to plan and deliver complex initiatives. 
• Excellent and deep knowledge of key issues, emerging trends, and barriers in African youth employment.  
• Excellent fluency in English and French desirable (required for WCN Africa). 
• Excellent analytical skills, and the ability to think strategically and contribute to the Foundation’s strategy development. 
• Flexible, adaptable, and able to execute various job duties and changing priorities.
• Excellent ability to build effective partnerships across all levels of the Foundation.  
• Experience working across cultures and geographies, as well as experience living and working in Africa, is required. 
• 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

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