Head of Agrifood Systems, Pan-African Programs (PANA)
Head of Agrifood Systems (PANA) Job at The Mastercard Foundation
Location: Kenya | Kigali, Rwanda | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Job Type: Full-time
Application Deadline: August 14, 2026
Job Summary
Are you a visionary leader passionate about transforming agricultural ecosystems and empowering youth across Africa? The Mastercard Foundation is seeking a Head of Agrifood Systems (PANA) to lead the development and execution of high-impact, transformative programs across the continent.
Reporting directly to the Director, Agrifood Systems, you will spearhead regional and Pan-African strategies that align with the Foundation’s Young Africa Works mission—unlocking millions of sustainable, dignified, and fulfilling work opportunities for young African men and women.
Key Responsibilities & Impact
1. Strategic Implementation & Innovation
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Execute Strategic Roadmaps: Interpret and cascade the Foundation’s agrifood systems strategy to deliver robust Pan-African program portfolios.
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Build Regional Partnerships: Develop innovative, cross-sector partnerships beyond traditional actors to drive systemic change across African agricultural value chains.
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Support Country Teams: Provide technical leadership and context-specific guidance on agrifood systems, agribusiness, climate resilience, and rural development strategies.
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Drive Learning & Co-Creation: Co-lead the Agrifood Systems & Climate Community of Practice to synthesize insights, capture field learnings, and inform future program design.
2. Stakeholder Engagement & Public Leadership
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Serve as Senior Spokesperson: Represent the Mastercard Foundation at key global and regional conferences, media events, and policy forums.
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Strategic Networking: Build high-level relationships with donors, governments, private sector leaders, and research institutions to enhance brand profile and program reach.
3. Leadership & Team Development
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Manage High-Performing Teams: Lead, mentor, and empower the agriculture thematic team with clear performance metrics and development goals.
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Foster Enterprise Alignment: Provide functional leadership to country-level agrifood teams, ensuring unified approaches toward enterprise-wide goals.
Qualifications & Requirements
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Experience: 12 to 15+ years of experience in agricultural sciences, agribusiness, agrifood systems, climate-smart agriculture, or rural development, with at least 7 years in a team leadership role.
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Education: Ph.D. or Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Sciences, Development Studies, or a related field.
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Technical Expertise: Demonstrated knowledge of inclusive market systems, value chain development, climate resilience, and youth entrepreneurship in Africa.
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Government & Stakeholder Relations: Proven success collaborating with high-level government officials, multilateral partners, and business executives.
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Systems Thinking: Advanced ability to analyze agricultural ecosystems, address root market barriers, and scale sustainable solutions.
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Languages: Fluency in English is required; working knowledge of French and/or Portuguese is a strong asset.
Why Join the Mastercard Foundation?
The Mastercard Foundation is one of the largest independent foundations in the world. Our Young Africa Works strategy aims to enable 30 million young people in Africa—especially young women—to secure dignified and fulfilling work by 2030.
We offer an inclusive, dynamic work environment across our regional hubs where bold ideas, collaboration, and professional integrity thrive.
How to Apply
Ready to shape the future of agrifood systems across Africa? Submit your application directly through our careers portal before August 14, 2026.