Employee Relations Specialist (Consultant) 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: Employee Relations Specialist (Consultant)

Job Requisition ID: JR-0000000605
Location: Nigeria
Job type: Full-time

The Opportunity

• Reporting to the Director, People and Culture Operations and Shared Services.
• The Employee Relations (ER) Specialist is responsible for fostering a positive, compliant, and productive workplace by managing employee relations issues, ensuring adherence to labor laws, and supporting both employees and management.
• The role requires strong knowledge of African labor legislation, dispute resolution, and cultural sensitivity across diverse workforces. 
• Duration: 1-year Consultant with option to extend - The successful candidate will be based in one of our listed offices in Africa (Rwanda, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Senegal, Ghana and Nigeria). 

Ways You Can Contribute
As a consultant, the Employee Relations Specialist will strengthen the Foundation’s policies and procedures ensuring compliance with labor laws.  

• Advisory & Compliance 
• Provide expert guidance to P&C business Partners and employees on ER policies, disciplinary procedures, and labor law compliance.  
• Ensure alignment with local employment legislation (e.g., South Africa’s Labour Relations Act, Kenya’s Employment Act, Nigeria’s Labour Act, etc.). 
• Monitor and report on ER metrics, grievances, and dispute trends. 
• Conflict Resolution & Case Management 
• Ensure the Investigation and resolution of grievances, misconduct cases, and workplace disputes. 
• Develop strategies to minimize workplace conflict. 
• Stakeholder Engagement 
• Policy Development, update & Training 
• Draft, review, and implement ER policies and procedures. 
• Conduct training for managers and employees on ER best practices, conflict resolution, and workplace ethics. 
• Promote employee engagement and a positive workplace culture. 
• Employee relations risk identification and mitigation/management 
• Conduct audits to ensure compliance with ER policies and labor laws and recommend actions 
• Works closely with: Legal, Compliance, P&C Business Partners, Enterprise Risk Management 

Who You Are

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Law, or related field. 
• 8 to 10 years’ experience in Employee Relations or Industrial Relations within Africa 
• Strong knowledge of African labor laws and dispute resolution mechanisms. 
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills. 
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion. 
• Certification in HR/IR (e.g., SABPP, CIPD, or equivalent). 
•  Experience in multinational or pan‑African organizations. 

Application Closing Date
12th February, 2026.