Director, Finance - Entrepreneurship Development Programs at Mastercard Foundation

Mastercard Foundation is a global foundation based across four hubs in Kigali, Rwanda, Nairobi, Kenya, Accra, Ghana and Toronto, Canada. Our programs promote financial inclusion and advance education and learning in Africa, primarily for young people, and in Canada for Indigenous youth. The Foundation was established in 2006 through the generosity of Mastercard when it became a public company. From inception, the Foundation was designed to be a separate entity and independent from Mastercard. Our policies, operations, and funding decisions are made by our President and Board of Directors.

The Foundation believes that youth employment is key to unlocking prosperity, both for youth and their societies. Enabling young women and men from disadvantaged communities to secure dignified and fulfilling work will ensure inclusive development and economic growth in Africa.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Director, Finance - Entrepreneurship Development Programs

Location: Lagos, Nigeria

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.
• If you are an experienced Finance – Entrepreneurship Development Programs professional looking to increase your impact, read on!

The Opportunity

• Reporting to the Finance Director – Human Capital Development Programs, the role will be responsible providing Strategic Financial leadership and financial stewardship for all finance operations within the Entrepreneurship Development Programs portfolio.
• The role will be the primary finance business partner to the Health team responsible for ensuring that the programs are adequately funded to achieve intended outcomes & provide financial stewardship in the deployment of the resources towards achievement of the strategic goals of the foundation.

Ways you can Contribute

• Provide financial leadership and strategic direction to the teams in support of achieving the overall strategic programmatic outcomes for the Entrepreneurship Development thematic programs.
• Work with the senior executives to understand the foundation and its partners so as to be able to develop financial models to support the strategic initiatives of the foundation in achievement of its impact objectives.
• Accountable for the end to financial aspects within programming in the thematic area which includes, Planning, implementation, monitoring & close out activities within the program; plus financial partnering in all other end to end aspects including opex management and accounting activities.
• Ensure that the programs are adequately funded to deliver on their intended outcomes and that funds are being used as intended through effective business partners and ensuring adequate and appropriate controls are implemented and operating effectively
• Ensure due diligence is undertaken during the program lifecycle to ensure effective risk management
• Troubleshooting and management of financial issues that arise during program implementation Risk Management to ensure funding is being utilized as intended and there is sufficient funding to deliver intended outcomes
• Develop in partnership with the Finance Operations teams, templates, processes and systems that enable team to provide partners with the right information to support decision making including but not limited to: Cash Forecasts, envelop disbursements and commitment outlook, Programmatic actual spend analysis
• Oversee the implementation and management of the Finance & Accounting infrastructure, including systems, accounting practices, policies and procedures for the programs in partnership with the various enterprise teams
• Play an advisory role in provisions of information that enables the various leadership teams within the thematic areas to make effective decisions for both short & long term impact.
• Provide monthly financial reporting and analysis to Executive Director, Finance & Accounting & the Director of Entrepreneurship Development.
• On program expenses, partner disbursements, cash flow projections, value for money, and pipeline outlook.
• Prepare financial models and design all the internal reporting metrics necessary to monitor and manage the thematic areas including budgeting, planning & forecasting that enables effective decision making at a thematic and enterprise level.
• Accountable to ensure that there are adequate internal controls to Safeguard Foundation financial resources by maintaining a sound control environment & ensure compliance to CRA regulation when programming.
• Providing strategic stewardship in the areas of Risk Management in the program design, implementation and close out.
• Provide support to the centralized accounting function for annual audits with independent auditors and regulatory agencies as required.
• Embed a risk management culture within the thematic areas region and ensure there are appropriate policies and other risk mitigation protocols in place together with the Regional Head.
• Support the Assurance and ERM team on all matters related to auditing, assurance, compliance and risk management.
• Coordinate with the Canada accounting team to assist tax and audit procedures (e.g., tax filings, year-end closing, annual audit).
• Engaging and cultivating relationships with regional partners to ensure good governance and partner the programs teams to enable the achievement of the intended strategic objectives/outcomes of the program.

Who you are

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting or a qualification in a related field; MBA added advantage.
• Professional accounting designation.
• Minimum of +15 years in progressively senior financial roles within large and/or global organizations, with at least 7 years in a senior management capacity.
• Experience managing and building capabilities and capacity of accounting/finance and operations teams in high growth organizations including supporting expansion in multi-jurisdictional and multi-currency environments.
• Previous experience in fund managers, Venture capitalists or fund raising would be an added advantage.
• Expertise in:
  • Identifying & Mitigating Operational, Financial and Business Risks
  • Design & management of Operational Internal Control Systems, processes and Policies.
  • Management Reporting including Financial Forecasting & Budgeting
  • Financial Analysis and Interpretation
• Working Knowledge in:
  • Design & Implementation of Financial Processes & Accounting Operations Management
  • Fund accounting, administration & Management knowledge
  • Fund & Investment performance management,
  • Fund raising, valuations experience an added advantage
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities & people development in a fast-growing organization.
• Demonstrated initiative and drive towards innovative problem solving.
• Honed business partnership skills with Impeccable integrity.
• Ability to challenge and provide feedback in a constructive manner.
• Strong commercial acumen and Strategic mindset.
• Comfortable with ambiguity but able to exercise good judgment in a fast changing environment.
• Ability to influence senior executives internally and externally and manage the pressures of work.
• 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 a variety of constituents across cultures.
• Possess professional maturity, sensitivity with different cultures, and impeccable integrity.
• Demonstrate a commitment to Mastercard Foundation’s values and vision.

Application Closing Date
31st January, 2023.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online