Consultant, Innovation & Digital Economy

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 Innovation & Digital looking to increase your impact, read on!

THE OPPORTUNITY 

Reporting to the Head, Entrepreneurship, the Consultant will be responsible for supporting the building of impactful country programs by directing and engaging partners throughout program design and implementation. The Consultant is expected to provide expertise to identify constraints and opportunities in the digital economy and innovation space to drive job growth.

WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE

• Support the co-creation, design, and launch of innovative programs targeting employment in the tourism, creatives and digital economy sectors.
• Drive approval processes by preparing compelling business cases and securing stakeholder buy-in.
• Continuously refine program designs based on learnings and stakeholder feedback to maximize impact.
• Collaborate with private sector, government, and community stakeholders to align program objectives with broader socio-economic goals.
• Conduct in-depth research and engage stakeholders to identify opportunities and inform impactful program development.
• Manage interventions, overseeing partnerships and pilot projects to test and refine concepts over defined periods.
• Structure programs to foster collaboration, experimentation, and learning among diverse actors.

 WHO YOU ARE

• Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Development Studies, Business Administration, or related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• Minimum of 10 + years of experience in program management, social impact, or economic development roles, with additional experience in digital economy, green economy, tourism, or related sectors as an advantage.
• Expertise in program design, management, and implementation, including familiarity with designing interventions in emerging markets, particularly in Africa.
• Strong research and value chain analysis capabilities.
• Proven ability to manage large budgets and complex projects.
• Strategic thinking and innovative problem-solving abilities, with openness to exploring new ideas and creative approaches to employment challenges.
• Demonstrated stakeholder engagement and collaboration skills, fostering partnerships with diverse groups.
• Passion for creating measurable, sustainable change for underrepresented populations.
• Excellent communication, influence, and presentation skills to engage diverse stakeholders and distill complex information into accessible formats.
• Flexible, adaptable, and capable of maintaining focus and momentum in dynamic environments with shifting priorities.
• Professional maturity, cultural sensitivity, and impeccable integrity that align with the Foundation’s values.
• Demonstrate a commitment to Mastercard Foundation’s values and vision.

Deadline for Applications is January 6, 2025.

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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