Senior Legal Counsel - Pan Africa 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 positions below:

Job Title: Senior Legal Counsel - Pan Africa

Location: Nigeria

The Opportunity

• Reporting to the Director, Pan Africa Programs, the Senior legal Counsel will advise the Pan Africa (PANA) Programs Leadership team and provide legal support to key Foundation stakeholders.
• The role will drive business results while operating in a culturally and organisationally diverse environment.

Responsibilities
Ways you can contribute:

• Work with the PANA leadership and prospective partners to design programs and interventions that achieve the Foundations goals.
• Work closely with the Programs Compliance team to ensure conformity with the Foundation’s charitable purposes.
• Review, draft and negotiate Programmatic and investment agreements.
• Collaborate with Legal and Compliance team in providing support to Pan Africa program teams in review of funding proposals and new program areas.
• Negotiate and review vendor contracts and communicate feedback appropriately.
• Monitor vendor contract compliance on project implementation and related risk management issues.
• Provide legal support on projects, programs post contracting and other transactions related to the Foundation’s operations.
• Proactively identify, analyze, and respond to legislative developments affecting the Foundation in the countries where the Pan Africa programs are implemented.
• Have primary responsibility for the daily legal operations within the PANA team including labour and employment, dispute resolution and regulatory matters while working closely with other legal sub-functions.
• Work closely with a wide variety of partners i.e., funds, banks, and other financial institutions in implementing the Foundations programs, programmatic investments, and other financial instruments to further the Foundation’s goals.
• Manage external legal firms and the legal budget.
• Provide support in policy discussions and negotiations with officials internally and externally, developing relationships with members of the legal profession and lawyers working in external law firms and/or partner agencies in relevant countries.
• Support the continuous improvement of legal processes and procedures.
• Collaborate with Legal and Compliance Team to maintain and upgrade legal documentation.
• Champion a values-based compliance culture as our organization evolves.
• Lead response to legislative developments affecting the Foundation compliance –Build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Requirements

• Degree in Law or equivalent (LLB or JD)
• Minimum of 10 years of experience working in a reputable firm or in-house position with a demonstrated record of success. 
• Experience in financial services and/or investment management will be an advantage.
• Strong leadership, organizational and analytical skills.
• Strong drafting and negotiation skills.
• Strong interpersonal and listening skills and is open and receptive to feedback.
• Ability to work independently while supporting the broader team delivery.
• Flexible, adaptable, agile, and able to execute a range of job duties with multiple deadlines and changing priorities.
• Proven excellence in verbal, written, and presentation skills with the ability to articulate information to a variety of constituents across cultures and to distill complex information and data into accessible conversation and written pieces.
• Possess professional maturity, sensitivity with different cultures, and impeccable integrity that exemplify the Foundation’s values.
• You have a commitment to Mastercard Foundation’s values and vision.

Application Closing Date
22nd September, 2023.

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