Legal Counsel 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: Legal Counsel

Job ID.: JR-0000000345
Location: Lagos
Employment Type: Full-time

The Opportunity

• Reporting to the Director, Legal and Compliance Shared Services, the Legal Counsel will provide strategic legal support on non-charitable projects, vendor contracts, and regulatory compliance.
• This role offers the opportunity to shape compliance programs, streamline legal processes, and partner with teams across the Foundation to deliver impact.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal support on non-charitable projects and transactions related to the Foundation’s operations.
• Participate in various operational projects as legal support for the Foundation.
• Proactively identify, analyze and respond to legislative developments affecting the Foundation’s operations.
• Negotiate and review vendor contracts and communicate feedback appropriately.
• Collaborate with Legal and Compliance team members in providing support to country and functional teams on operational regulatory compliance, including privacy and data protection-related regulatory compliance requirements.
• Ensure contracts are in line with the Foundation policies, procedures and strategic objectives.
• Collaborate with Legal and Compliance Team members to maintain and upgrade vendor contract templates.
• Support the continuous improvement of legal processes and procedures.
• In partnership with the business leaders and external partners co-create the design and support the implementation of compliance programs.
• Build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in law (LLB or JD) is required.
• Member in good standing of a Law Society (Bar).
• Minimum of 5 years of experience working in a reputable firm or in-house position with a demonstrated record of success in Africa.
• Experience working in charitable and non-profit sectors is preferred.
• Experience working in a start-up or ‘build’ environment.
• Strong contract drafting and negotiation skills.
• Must be fluent in English.
• Ability to exercise appropriate and sound judgement and discretion in dealing with legal matters.
• Innovative and entrepreneurial; can formulate and develop new or creative approaches to problems and inspires others on the team to do so as well.
• 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 that exemplify the Foundation’s values.

Application Closing Date
29th August, 2025.