Country Program Head at 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.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Country Program Head

Location: Lagos

The Opportunity

• Reporting to the Country Director Nigeria, the Country Program Head will support the Country Director in the delivery on the Young Africa Works Roadmap locally, including the development of country programs, implementation work, reporting and stakeholder management, inclusive of implementation of the country agricultural programming. 
• The Country Program Head will deputize for the Country Director for internal and external situations. 

Ways You Can Contribute

• Scan the horizon for innovative approaches to support delivery of Young Africa Works roadmap; conceptualize translation opportunities in collaboration with Country program staff.
• Manage the process for negotiating and formalizing new programs.
• Coordinate review and follow up to expression of interests (EoI), concept notes, and proposals - provide clear, concise, and insightful written analyses and recommendations.
• As a key advisor to the Country Director, contribute to the continued evolution of the Country Road map; organize annual/periodic reviews of the roadmap.
• Lead implementation of assigned country programs portfolio, end-to-end, including annual/periodic budget development and review, implementation work planning, execution of activities and all reporting requirements.
• Monitor assigned country programs portfolio through day-to-day coordination, analysis and review of qualitative /quantitative information, field visits and periodic and structured engagements with the implementing partner(s).
• Lead annual/periodic review for assigned country programs portfolio; capture and synthesize key learnings for cross sharing/dissemination.
• Draft sections of key documents, reports, and presentations for a variety of purposes and audiences, summarizing developments and lessons learned from country programs.
• Support and ensure country program team are providing technical and oversite support to partners on the ground.
• Lead an effective knowledge management approach, which includes documenting the evolution of the roadmap and helping to surface and frame lessons learned for incorporation in future strategic choices.
• Lead Team to deliver high quality interactions and clear and consistent communications with stakeholders and partners, including site visits, providing strategic thought partnership, joint planning, coordination and convening meetings of key stakeholders.
• Represent the Foundation to key program-related external stakeholders, in forums related to Foundation’s areas of work.

Who You Are

• At least 15 years of progressive experience in strategic planning, sustainable development policy, project/program management, or resource management.
• At least 12 years of experience in managing multi-sectoral projects and partnership development in livelihoods, agricultural development (i.e., crops, livestock, and agribusiness programming), food security, market-based approaches to economic development, climate change, financial inclusion (especially in MSME finance), and related programs.
• A minimum of 10 years of management experience at a senior level in a comparable international organization or working on donor-funded mechanisms, with strong leadership ability, as well as experience managing large multicultural teams at country or regional level.
• Advanced University Degree (MBA / Master’s or equivalent Degree) in Business or Public Administration, Project Management, Public Policy, Sustainable Development, Social Sciences, or related areas is desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with host governments, donors, private sector stakeholders, local organizations, and partners.
• Prior experience working in sub-Saharan Africa, with appreciable knowledge of Nigeria’s political and social development context.
• Experience applying design thinking approaches to programming and innovation.
• Demonstrated financial management experience including preparation and management of budgets in a development context.
• Ability to think and work in an integrated and holistic way, keeping the Mastercard Foundation’s Young Africa Works strategy at the center.
• Ability to apply execution techniques including agile methodologies and strong Project management skills that ensure the delivery of work.
• Experience and ability to effectively engage and manage relationships with senior external stakeholders, particularly implementing partners and governments.
• Possess excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills with the ability to articulate information to a variety of constituents across cultures.
• Strategic thinker with perspective to apply analytical evaluations accurately to both simple and complex thinking to various projects.
• Strong networking, influencing, negotiation and collaboration skills.
• Service orientation towards the country and its young people and for colleagues across the Foundation.
• Ability to have nuanced conversations and facilitate disparate views towards shared outcomes in ambiguous situations.
• Flexible, adaptable, and able to execute a range of tasks and changing priorities.
• 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.

Application Closing Date
24th June, 2022.