Lead, Agriculture Collaboratives

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 professional in agricultural collaboratives looking to increase your impact, read on!

THE OPPORTUNITY 

Reporting to the Head, Higher Education, the Lead, Agriculture Collaboratives will provide technical support to 12 African universities in scaling up the Transforming African Agricultural Education for Development (TAGDev) Program, led by RUFORUM, over 10 years. The program activities focus on five key pillars: teaching and learning in agricultural sciences, climate adaptation, Agri-preneurship, agricultural knowledge creation, and strengthening the agricultural ecosystem.

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

WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE 

• Manage the design, delivery, monitoring, and evaluation of program activities for each partner university based on the program's five pillars.
• Provide technical support for research-related activities that inform program activities (Community Action projects) and strengthen Agri-preneurship, including linkages with the private sector.
• Support identifying and engaging key players (suppliers, incubators, entrepreneurs, employers, etc.) in the Ag sector relevant to each partner university in the specific delivery country.
• Ensure that partners have the necessary support to connect to the Foundation infrastructure for reporting purposes and that there is a strong gender and inclusion lens in the Ag Higher Education programming.
• Liaise effectively with other Foundation team members and coordinate Program colleagues to ensure alignment with the Foundation’s work in Ag for stronger integration.
• Coordinate and organize learning events across the partnership and contribute to coordinating partner and program-level events.

WHO YOU ARE

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, business, agricultural economics, financial inclusion, or a related field, along with a relevant professional qualification and membership in a relevant professional body.
• Minimum of 10 years experience managing Ag programs, specifically in agrifood systems, climate science, and related sectors, with proven expertise in various value chains (cash and food crops), small businesses and SMEs, and supply chain/logistics in the agrifood system.
• Experience working with universities or educational institutions to support young people accessing work opportunities in the Agricultural sector.
• Strong understanding of the agriculture market system, the role of system players, and financial inclusion in economic growth, development, and the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.
• Program and partnership/stakeholder management experience, including multi-stakeholder projects, and a demonstrated understanding of African agricultural markets and the systemic challenges leading to stagnant growth.
• Excellent analytical skills, with the ability to think strategically and contribute as a thought partner in the Foundation’s strategy development.
• Excellent budgeting skills with the ability to manage a large portfolio of assets and a strong command of quantitative and qualitative business analytics.
• Excellent project management skills, including managing multi-stakeholder projects and the flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and execute a range of job duties.
• Possess excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills with the ability to articulate information to a variety of constituents across cultures, demonstrating professional maturity, sensitivity to different cultures, and impeccable integrity.
• Commitment to Mastercard Foundation’s values and vision.

Deadline for Applications is November 6, 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/
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