Finance Consultant, Research & Impact

ABOUT MASTERCARD FOUNDATION

Mastercard Foundation seeks a world where everyone has the opportunity to learn and prosper. Through its Young Africa Works strategy and Canadian EleV program, the Foundation works with partners to ensure that millions of young people, especially young women, access quality education, financial services, and dignified work. Mastercard Foundation was established in 2006 through the generosity of Mastercard when it became a public company. The Foundation is independent with its own Board of Directors and CEO.

THE WORK AT THE FOUNDATION

We are currently in an exciting period at the Mastercard Foundation as we intensify the implementation of the Young Africa Works strategy, aiming to empower 30 million young people throughout Africa to access dignified and fulfilling employment.

To ensure the Foundation's accessibility to our partners and program participants, we have established offices in Rwanda, Kenya, Ghana, Senegal, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Uganda. These offices provide strong in-country support for the implementation of Young Africa Works. We collaborate with governments, the private sector, educators, and other funders to enhance the quality of education and vocational training, equip young individuals with the necessary skills for the workforce, expand access to financial services for entrepreneurs and small businesses, and facilitate connections between job seekers and meaningful employment opportunities.

Our values serve as our guiding principles, transcending and surpassing all other considerations. We wholeheartedly encourage you to bring your bold ideas, curiosity, and expertise to your work.

If you are an experienced finance professional looking to increase your impact, read on!

THE OPPORTUNITY 

Reporting to the Director of Finance Planning & Analysis, the Consultant will support the Programs Impact teams and partners to oversee all financial aspects of program partnerships, including due diligence, budgeting, controls, contracting, financial reporting, and analysis. The role will also act as the enterprise's primary Finance contact for Program Impact teams.

The successful candidate will be based in one of our offices in (Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Senegal, Rwanda, Ethiopia, or Ghana).

WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE 

• Manage the full Finance program partner contracts cycle, including EOI, proposals, contract approvals, due diligence, budget reviews, program execution, and completion.
• Guide and train external partners on budgeting, financial reporting, due diligence, and financial controls.
• Provide financial expertise and advice to the Programs team on developing and implementing strategies, supporting decision-making, and value-for-money analysis.
• Maintain accurate financial documentation, report on commitments, disbursements, and cash flow projections, and ensure timely updates to grants systems with accurate financial information.
• Monitor financial performance post-kick-off to ensure resources are deployed as expected, and sufficient funding controls are in place to support program outcomes.
• Consult finance and accounting colleagues as needed to ensure compliance with local and international financial regulations and ensure adequate business controls safeguard foundation assets.
• Coordinate and lead periodic partner reporting processes, ensuring follow-up on contractual obligations and closing of action items.
• Troubleshoot financial issues during program implementation and lead comprehensive partner capacity assessments, proposing risk management interventions.
• Drive the annual due diligence review process, evaluate partner financial statements and capacity, and maintain financial review records.
• Manage analysts and interns, assigning tasks and reviewing outputs to support program finance tasks.
• Identify opportunities to standardize and improve Finance processes for better efficiency.
• Perform ad-hoc financial analysis and support for learning, evaluation, and risk management activities.

WHO YOU ARE

• Bachelor’s degree or full accounting qualification is required.
• Minimum ten (10) years of progressive experience in financial roles within large and/or global organizations, especially in the development sector.
• Strong analytical skills with a high level of attention to detail.
• Working knowledge of Financial Internal Controls Management.
• Financial reporting & analysis experience, including budgeting and financial forecasting.
• Problem-solving skills and good influencing abilities.
• Able to identify & mitigate operational, financial, and business risks.
• Proficient in MS Office applications, particularly Excel.
• Able to generate routine accounting records and financial reports and determine and apply correct accounting treatments.
• Excellent communicator (verbal, written, and presentation skills) with the ability to articulate information to a variety of constituents across cultures.
• Results-driven and self-disciplined, with a strong sense of team and common purpose to achieve ambitious goals.
• Flexible, adaptable, intellectually curious, comfortable with ambiguity, receptive to new ideas, and willing to learn and change.
• Possess professional maturity, sensitivity to different cultures, and impeccable integrity that exemplifies the Foundation’s values.
• Demonstrates a commitment to Mastercard Foundation’s values and vision.

Deadline for Applications is October 31, 2024.

Mastercard Foundation (the “Foundation”) values and respects your privacy. By submitting an application for this opportunity, you hereby agree to the Foundation’s collection, use and disclosure of your personal information in accordance with its Privacy Policy (available at https://mastercardfdn.org/privacy/). Please note that the Foundation may share your personal information with third-party agencies that support the Foundation’s recruitment activities, and such third-party agencies may contact you directly regarding this opportunity. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Foundation’s Privacy Officer at the address indicated in its Privacy Policy.

The Mastercard Foundation values the unique skills and experiences each individual brings to the organization and we are committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and accessible environment for everyone.

Completion of satisfactory business references and background checks are essential conditions of employment.

For more information and to sign up for the Foundation’s newsletter, please visit http://www.mastercardfdn.org/
Follow the Foundation on Twitter at @MastercardFdn

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