Country Director 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: Country Director

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 Country Director looking to increase your impact, read on!

The Opportunity

• Reporting to the Executive Director, Country Programs, the role will be responsible for overseeing the design and implementation of Country programs to advance the Foundation’s programmatic priorities. 
• The role will also be responsible for delivering the impact targets set for the country and providing in-country leadership to all co-located and integrated teams with the responsibility for driving oneness and represent the Foundation at the highest levels of government, private sector, civil society/community forums and their stakeholders.

Ways You Can Contribute

• Lead the origination and design of the country road map across all relevant economic sectors and cross cutting themes.
• Integrate impact considerations to ensure the needs of young women and young people in general are addressed within the program design.
• Collaborate with Country Program team in development of strategies relevant to Young Africa Works in Rwanda/Uganda and their interlinkages to entrepreneurship ecosystem support interventions.
• Ensure success and impact from country programs, through supporting partners with implementation, collaboration, integration, and innovation across strategic priorities / thematic areas.
• Build monitoring framework to assess impact and synthesize learning.
• Establish shared learning venues for organizational wide learning.
• Develop and manage the budgets and ensure spending adjustments or budget modifications are done as necessary.
• Provide perspective and expertise on emerging issues and trends in the Country relevant the Young Africa Works strategy/goals.
• Identify challenges and opportunities facing the Country that can be unlocked through education, labour and financial systems to mobilize Young Africa Works interventions.
• Manage leadership trips, learning, engagement opportunities and other appropriate activities to Foundation staff and the Board of Directors relative to visits to Africa.
• Build relationships with relevant stakeholders to scope new ideas, seek counsel, and support programming efforts.
• Lead matrixed/cross functional team in myriad of activities related to co-design and implementation phase.
• Effectively lead country teams, ensuring high quality of work, safeguarding and alignment with Foundation values, drive oneness at country level, building a supportive and collaborative work environment.
• Partner with People & Culture on talent and staffing, culture and change management, performance management of the team.
• Oversee and manage office needs to ensure a safe, secure and productive and compliant work environment.

Who You Are

• Master’s Degree in a Global Development, Education, Public Policy or related field is required.
• Relevant professional qualification.
• Member of a relevant professional body.
• Minimum of twelve (12) years overall experience and out of which at least five (5) yeas should be at supervisory level.
• Experience in financial management including preparation and management of budgets, contracts, etc. Senior level experience in Africa and with exposure to international issues ideally is crucial. Private sector experience would be an asset.
• Experience and advanced expertise in country experience working with Nigeria government, development, political and social issues of the Country.
• Experience and demonstrated success at facilitating organizational change as well as building and managing high performing teams in a growing office with proven success.
• Experience effectively engaging with high-level government officials, key partners, media, business leaders and other influential personalities.
• Excellent solution-based approach while demonstrating innovation, integrity, quality, creativity, flexibility and resilience.
• Excellent fluency in languages relevant to the country and work.
• Excellent strategic planning skills with the ability to merge technical and operational demands of the program into a cohesive structure.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to express facts and ideas in a clear, convincing and organized manner.
• 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 that exemplify the Foundation’s values.
• Demonstrate a commitment to Mastercard Foundation’s values and vision.

Application Closing Date
8th March, 2023.