Program Lead, Disability Inclusion 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: Program Lead, Disability Inclusion

Location: Nigeria
Employment Type: Full-time

Job Summary

• Reporting to the Program Head, Disability Inclusion, the Program Lead, will support the design, execution, and delivery of impactful, inclusive programming that advances the Foundation’s Disability Inclusion Strategy, with a focus on young people, including youth with disabilities, refugees, and displaced persons.
• This includes building and managing partnerships, co-creating interventions, supporting program implementation, and advancing learning, innovation, and systems change.
• We are committed to building an accessible, inclusive environment. If you require accommodation during the recruitment or in the workplace, we will support you.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the implementation of the Disability Inclusion strategy, including designing sector interventions, seeking new ideas, and using evidence to inform strategic framing.
• Build and co-create partnerships aligned to the Disability Inclusion strategy, providing thorough guidance and analysis during program design, partnership development, implementation, monitoring, and learning.
• Ensure programmatic and thematic priorities are understood and coordinated across geographies, thematic teams, and external stakeholders.
• Lead or support inclusive convenings, workshops, and events, ensuring accessibility and participation of all stakeholders.
• Support the Disability Inclusion team on day-to-day inquiries, calls, and meetings, and organize periodic meetings with partners and relevant stakeholders to track progress, record, and follow up on action points.
• Identify and connect Disability Inclusion intersections across the Foundation and mobilize focal point team members.
• Regularly update the Mastercard Foundation on program implementation status and make recommendations based on findings.
• Collaborate with colleagues across Program, Impact and Measurement, Research, and Communications to integrate Disability Inclusion approaches.
• Support Foundation teams and partners to feature Disability Inclusion at events as participants or speakers.
• Engage with partners/grantees to review opportunities, address challenges, and advance interventions through collaboration, learning, and strategic partnerships.
• Develop and manage partnerships, including identifying prospective partners, designing proposals, conducting due diligence, and overseeing financial and narrative reporting.
• Monitor and coordinate a portfolio of partners, conduct annual planning workshops, and/or visit programs.
• Communicate progress, lessons learned, and insights from Disability Inclusion projects to colleagues and partners, ensuring adaptability and sustainability in approaches.
• Participate in and recommend evaluation and learning activities to guide Disability Inclusion program evolution.
• Manage research projects that build evidence for Disability Inclusion interventions and partnerships.
• Build networks with youth with disabilities and African-based organizations to advance Disability Inclusion interventions.
• Manage day-to-day communication and the needs of partners.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to Disability focal points and junior staff at the Foundation.
• Provide perspective on emerging issues and trends in refugee and displaced contexts.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Design for Social Innovation, Digital Transformation and Technology for innovation, Social Sciences or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience engaging with senior staff in government, private sector, UN bodies and humanitarian agencies, etc., as well as young people.
• Working with marginalized youth, in particular refugees, displaced youth and/or young people with disabilities.
• Contributing to a new initiative or transforming an existing one into something more impactful, in a multi-cultural environment.
• Building partnerships and managing multiple projects.
• Building and managing teams, coaching and mentoring colleagues.
• Presenting information to internal and external leadership teams/individuals.
• Delivering results in a fast-paced, fluid environment.
• Working across cultures and geographies.
• Experience living and working in Africa is required.
• Familiarity with assistive technology, inclusive tools, or universal design principles is an asset.
• People with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Strong communication and presentation skills in English, including the ability to effectively share ideas through verbal, written, or alternative communication methods (e.g., sign language, assistive technologies, or interpreters).
• Fluency in French is an added advantage.
• Strong understanding of global, national and local contexts that influence and inform opportunities for refugees, displaced youth and young people with disabilities.
• Exceptional analytical skills, the ability to think strategically and contribute as a thought partner in the Foundation’s strategy development.
• Exceptional interpersonal and listening skills with the ability to build effective partnerships across all levels of the Foundation.
• Flexible, adaptable, and able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Professional maturity, cultural sensitivity, and impeccable integrity that align with the Foundation’s values.
• Demonstrate a commitment to Mastercard Foundation’s values and vision.

Application Closing Date
29th August, 2025.

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