Director, Climate Action

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 Pan-African programs looking to increase your impact, read on!

THE OPPORTUNITY

Reporting to the Executive Director, Pan African Program, the Director, Climate Action will lead the Foundation’s climate initiatives, developing and implementing strategies to mitigate climate change and promote sustainability. The role involves building partnerships, influencing policy, and creating a Pan-African impact. The Director will work closely with EXCO, the Pan-African team, Country Directors, Programs, Partners, and stakeholders to drive the Foundation’s climate action agenda.

As a subject matter expert, the Director will build the Climate Action Function, design strategic direction, recruit a team, and oversee multi-country programs to advance the Foundation’s mission of enabling dignified work for young women and men.

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

WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE

• Develop and implement the Foundation’s Climate Action Strategy and Roadmap, aligned with the Young Africa Works strategy to address climate change.
• Lead advocacy and partnership-building efforts to maximize impact on climate-related issues.
• Monitor global and local climate policy and science trends to inform and adjust the Foundation’s priorities.
• Contribute to the consolidated Pan African Programs Strategy, overseeing climate-related programs within PANA and country-level initiatives.
• Manage a team of climate experts to ensure effective program execution, set goals, monitor performance, and ensure high-quality outcomes and impact measurements.
• Collaborate with PANA and Country Directors to design and deliver programs with overlapping themes.
• Build partnerships with governments, NGOs, research institutions, and private sector organizations to drive collaborative climate efforts.
• Represent the Foundation at high-level conferences, meetings, and policy discussions related to climate change.
• Advocate for climate policies that align with the Foundation’s vision at the country, continental, and international levels.
• Serve as a spokesperson for the Foundation’s climate initiatives and oversee communication strategies highlighting the Foundation’s climate impact.

WHO YOU ARE

• Master’s degree in Social Science, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Public Policy, or a related field.
• Minimum of 15 years relevant experience in a similar organization, with 5 years at a senior management level.
• Proven leadership experience in nonprofit organizations focused on climate change, with a strong understanding of climate science, global environmental issues, and policy landscapes.
• Extensive experience in climate action strategy, program design, and implementation across Africa, including at the continent level.
• Strong knowledge of local, national, regional, and Pan-African organizations, networks, and country-specific social, economic, and political contexts.
• Experience working with organizations focused on gender initiatives within climate action.
• Proven leadership, team management, negotiation, and partnership-building skills.
• Strong advocacy and policy influence, with knowledge of global and regional climate initiatives and trends.
• Strategic thinker with expertise in developing long-term climate solutions.
• Possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a track record of managing diverse teams and engaging high-level stakeholders.
• Demonstrate professional maturity, cultural sensitivity, and integrity that reflect the values of the Mastercard Foundation.

Deadline for Applications is November 13, 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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