Senior Legal Counsel, Operations 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: Senior Legal Counsel, Operations

Location: Lagos, Nigeria

The Opportunity

• Reporting to the Director, Legal Operations, the Senior Legal Counsel, Operations will be responsible for providing high-quality legal advice and support to key stakeholders within the Foundation’s business across Africa with specific dedication to Ghana and Nigeria.
• S/he will be responsible for reviewing and advising on vendor contracts and where relevant, funding contracts, and providing post-contracting legal support for the Country Program portfolio and all legal operational needs in the dedicated countries.

Ways You Can Contribute

• Proactively identify, analyze, and respond to legislative developments affecting the Foundation in Nigeria- Ghana Region.
• 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 stated countries.
• Negotiate and review region-based vendor contracts and communicate feedback appropriately.
• Collaborate with Legal and Compliance team in providing support to country and program teams in review of funding proposals and new program areas.
• Monitor vendor contract compliance on project implementation and related risk management issues.
• Ensure contracts are in line with the Foundation policies, procedures, and strategic objectives.
• Provide legal support on projects, programs post contracting and other transactions related to the Foundation’s Africa operations in the designated countries.
• Negotiate and review region-based vendor contracts and communicate feedback appropriately.
• In partnership with the business leaders and external partners co-create the design and support the implementation of legal operations support project
• 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 – particularly regarding our operations in Nigeria-Ghana region.
• Build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Who You Are

• Degree in Law or equivalent (LLB or JD).
• Minimum of 7 years of experience working in a reputable firm or in-house position with a demonstrated record of success.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in charitable and non-profit law as well as corporate, contract and tax law.
• Strong leadership, organizational and analytical skills.
• Strong drafting and negotiation skills.
• Strong interpersonal and listening skills and is open and receptive to feedback.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (PowerPoint, Word, and Excel).
• Flexible, adaptable, and able to execute a range of job duties 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
5th March, 2024