Lead, Labour and Employment Counsel and Compliance

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 

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 100,000 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.

UNDERSTANDING AFRICA PROGRAMS 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 Labour and Employment Counsel and Compliance professional looking to increase your impact, read on!

THE OPPORTUNITY 

Reporting to the Director Compliance, Labour and Employment and Incidence Management, the Lead, Labour and Employment Counsel and Compliance will provide high-quality labour and employment legal advisory services for Foundation-wide issues, ensuring that the Foundation’s Canada operations comply with applicable regulatory and internal policy requirements, disclosures and filings.

WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE 

• Provide pragmatic, fit-for-purpose legal advice, counsel and support on all labour and employment issues across the Foundation’s operations in Canada and Africa, including advising on recruitment, onboarding, probation, performance, termination, and immigration issues.
• Supporting drafting, reviewing and maintaining labour and employment-related policies, agreements, letters and documents.
• Supporting the continuous improvement of labour and employment-related legal processes and procedures.
• Liaising with and coordinating with external counsel on labour and employment issues, including litigation cases.
• Liaising with the Foundation’s Legal Operations and Shared Services teams to ensure that there is an up-to-date legal register of all applicable labour and employment law requirements across the Foundation.
• Supporting with the design, development, and implementation of the compliance program for the Foundation’s Canada operations.
• Support identifying, implementing, and embedding regulatory and compliance requirements that impact the Foundation’s operations in Canada.
• Supporting the right policies, controls, processes, and procedures to enhance the compliance environment.
• Providing end-to-end risk management support, including risk assessment, identification, mitigation, and remediation.
• Championing a values-based compliance culture as our organization evolves, including supporting the roll-out of compliance initiatives such as Giving Voice to Values (GVV).
• Create training awareness and sensitization for labour and employment and compliance issues.
• Monitoring, tracking, and reviewing compliance, labour and employment with all applicable regulatory and policy requirements to ensure compliance and identify and remedy areas of non-compliance.

WHO YOU ARE

• Degree in law (LLB or JD) is required.
• Member in good standing of a Law Society (Bar) in Canada is required.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience working in a reputable firm or in-house position with a demonstrated record of success.
• Experience in employment law, corporate, and commercial law issues.
• Experience with supporting regulatory compliance matters.
• Experience working in a start-up or ‘build’ environment.
• Strong leadership, organizational and analytical skills.
• Strong interpersonal and listening skills and is open and receptive to feedback.
• Must be fluent in English. A working knowledge of French would be an added advantage.
• Ability to challenge appropriately and voice alternative perspectives and viewpoints.
• Ability to exercise appropriate and sound judgment and discretion in dealing with legal and Compliance matters.
• Results-driven; motivated by a high sense of performance excellence and a sense of urgency.
• Innovative and entrepreneurial; can formulate and develop new or creative approaches to problems and inspires others on the team to do so as well.
• 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 various constituents across cultures.
• Possess professional maturity, sensitivity to different cultures, and impeccable integrity that exemplifies the Foundation’s values.
• Demonstrate a commitment to Mastercard Foundation’s values and vision.

Deadline for Applications is July 25, 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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