Consultant, Impact, Research and Learning Coordination

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 Impact Analyst looking to increase your impact, read on!

THE OPPORTUNITY

Reporting to the Chief, Impact, Research, and Learning, the Consultant, Impact, Research & Learning Coordination will ensure seamless coordination across the four departments. This includes providing comprehensive operational support to the Chief and collaborating with the Executive Assistant/Team Coordinators to manage internal Foundation matters. You will also coordinate research partnerships and Impact Partner Organizations, managing contracting and reporting processes in collaboration with designated impact or research leads. Additionally, the Consultant will support the Senior Directors of Impact Strategy, Analytics & Evaluation, Program Impact Support & Advisory, and Research & Learning, ensuring alignment and integration across their strategic initiatives.

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

 WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE

• Provide strategic coordination across the four departments to ensure alignment and integration of initiatives.
• Support reporting and preparation of materials for Board, ExCo, Program Senior Team (PST), and other leadership meetings.
• Coordinate research partnerships and Impact Partner Organizations, managing contracts and reporting processes in collaboration with designated leads.
• Assist the Chief in managing internal Foundation matters, including developing and updating functional and departmental work plans and ensuring seamless operations with the support of the Executive Assistant.
• Oversee project management activities by coordinating partners and providing administrative and logistical assistance to Senior Directors in their strategic initiatives.
• Support budget preparation, management, and forecasting for the function’s program and Opex budgets, including handling financial tasks such as invoice processing and alignment with departmental priorities.
• Plan and manage logistics for workshops and meetings, including agenda development, travel arrangements, and scheduling, with support from the Executive Assistant and Team Coordinators.
• Promote effective internal communication through meeting facilitation, agenda development, and timely distribution of minutes, ensuring alignment with divisional objectives.
• Establish and maintain comprehensive documentation and file management systems to support the division's operations and team members.
• Develop and implement procedures to execute the division’s priorities effectively, ensuring projects are completed on time, within scope, and on budget.
• Manage the recruitment and selection process for Impact Partner Organizations, Research Partners, and Impact Lab partners, including preparing Request for Expression of Interest (REOIs) and coordinating interviews and communications.
• Oversee partner contracting processes, including proposal and budget development, due diligence, and finance and legal reviews.
• Ensure efficient project management of partners, including managing non-grant partners and supporting grant-related activities.
• Identify and cultivate strategic partnerships with research institutions, NGOs, and other stakeholders to advance the Foundation's impact goals.
• Facilitate cross-departmental collaboration and integration, ensuring projects align with strategic goals and fostering collaborations across departments.

 WHO YOU ARE

• A Bachelor’s degree in Business management or administration, Economics, International Relations, or any Social Science Degree. Accounting qualifications would be an added advantage
• 10+ years of experience in research, project management, measurement and evaluation, gender equity, and governance initiatives, with significant expertise in Pan-African organizations and institutions.
• At least 5 years of mid-level managerial experience in the international development sector, including work with governments, mandated institutions, and private sector actors.
• Proven leadership in attracting, onboarding, developing, and engaging diverse teams across multiple locations, fostering collaboration and high achievement.
• Skilled in coordinating cross-cultural teams and facilitating external partnerships to advance organizational goals.
• Extensive project management experience, including budgeting, forecasting, and budget management.
• Highly flexible, able to experiment and prototype effective solutions to emerging challenges.
• Strong problem-solving skills, with a track record of adapting to opportunities and challenges.
• Innovative and entrepreneurial mindset, with the ability to navigate ambiguity and complexity while formulating creative approaches.
• Deep expertise in gender equity, social inclusion, and managerial capacity.
• Outstanding interpersonal, communication, and facilitation skills, with the ability to build strong, productive relationships across organizational and cultural lines.
• Demonstrates integrity, discretion, trust, humility, and deep listening capabilities.
• Communicates with clarity, confidence, and conviction, inspiring meaning, purpose, and collaboration.
• Demonstrates 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 February 21, 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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