Location: Multiple (The successful candidate will be based in one of of our country offices in Africa (Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria or Senegal)
Deadline: September 20, 2024
Job Description
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.
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.
UNDERSTANDING & MEASURING IMPACT
The Foundation has developed a comprehensive strategy for understanding and measuring Impact through a more holistic approach. In this context, Impact spans from the effects that our investments trigger directly in creating work opportunities, upwards to the significant changes and outcomes derived from the influence that the Mastercard Foundation Programs have on the institutional and system level changes in policies, practices and larger investments that open-up for expanded impact, at scale, on youth employment.
Working with young women and men in Africa represents a unique opportunity to develop, implement, and learn from programming and influencing activities in ways that value African and Indigenous ways of being and knowing. Impact measurement and the associated narratives will be guided by youth-focused lenses and located within the nexus of nationally owned strategies and global best practices and thought leadership. The methodologies, tools and insights throughout this journey will be determined and co-created in partnership with youth and other Indigenous vectors of knowledge in communities and countries where we work.
If you are a seasoned Technical and Vocational Skills Development expert ready to build something new and increase your impact, read on!
THE OPPORTUNITY
Reporting to the Director, Secondary Education, the Head, Technical and Vocational Skills Development (TVSD) Initiatives will be responsible for overseeing the development and effective management of country, multi-country and pan-African Technical and Vocational Skills Development initiatives.
WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE
- Work closely with other Secondary Education unit Heads (Girls Education and Access and Success) to contribute to ongoing program strategy development and evolution, as a member of the Secondary Education Leadership team.
- Oversee design and implementation of Technical and Vocational Skills Development programs across the continent, track progress and ensure high quality program delivery.
- Set goals and targets for the portfolio and collaborate with the Impact Team to monitor progress and ensure the achievement of program objectives.
- Ensure effective coordination and collaboration with Mastercard Foundation Country Program teams, including on local TVET and skills development initiatives.
- Oversee learning organizations providing technical support on MERL at the continental level.
- Develop and manage consultancies.
- Engage and share learning with counterparts across the Education and Transitions team, identifying and capitalizing on opportunities for collaboration.
- Provide ongoing guidance, advice, support, and technical assistance to the Secondary Education team on TVSD.
- Facilitate effective cross-functional collaboration in the design and implementation of program partnerships, with a focus on impact.
- Advance thought leadership internally and externally on secondary level TVSD, working in close collaboration with Program Communications and the Policy and Thought Leadership teams.
- Oversee the capture of data and learning and ensure that insights and impact are routinely and effectively reported, and continually integrated into program design and implementation.
- Cultivate and manage relationships with eco-systems actors and education stakeholders to scale impact, representing the Foundation in continental/regional/local workshops, conferences, and education fora.
- Track team operations expenses and support budget forecasting in collaboration with Program Finance teams.
- Facilitate connections, exchange and learning across the TVSD partner network, including overseeing the planning and delivery of face-to-face convenings and virtual meetings.
- Identify and recruit talent, effectively lead colleagues, ensuring high quality of work, alignment with Foundation values, access to development opportunities and a supportive and collaborative work environment.
WHO YOU ARE
- A master’s degree in a relevant field including education, economic development or related social sciences field is required.
- Relevant professional qualification in program management would be an asset in this role.
- Member of relevant professional bodies and networks.
- Minimum of twelve (12) years overall experience, out of which at least five (5) years should be at supervisory level.
- Education sector experience, particularly in the areas of technical and vocational skills development, secondary education and/or higher education, is highly desirable.
- Experience managing a portfolio of programs across multiple countries, leading teams in the creation and building of new initiatives in a multi-cultural environment.
- Extensive experience engaging with the senior leadership of development partners and education organizations, high-level government representatives and the private sector.
- Experience building and managing high performing teams in a fast-paced, fluid environment.
- Experience working across cultures and geographies, experience living and working in Africa is required.
- Excellent leadership and supervisory skills with an established track record managing multi-location and virtual teams.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to articulate information to a variety of constituents across cultures.
- Deep knowledge and understanding of key issues, emerging trends, opportunities, and critical barriers in skills development in Africa.
- Excellent English language skills. French language skills would be a significant asset.
- Excellent analytical skills, the ability to think strategically and to contribute to the development of the Foundation’s strategy and approach.
- Ability and willingness to travel.
- Demonstrate commitment to the Mastercard Foundation values.
Deadline for Applications is 20th September 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”.