Head, Country Program Communications

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 communications looking to increase your impact, read on!

THE OPPORTUNITY

Reporting to the Director, Country Program Communications, the Head, Country Program Communications will be responsible for developing an overarching communications strategy for the Foundation’s Rwanda Programs, managing its implementation, and being a strategic thought partner to Program colleagues and relevant stakeholders. You will oversee the Rwanda Communications Team and collaborate with partner communications teams to ensure alignment in all related communications. Agency management, budget, and brand management are integral parts of the role

WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE

• Formulate and implement a comprehensive program communications strategy aligned with the Foundation’s work, supporting program objectives and incorporating eco-system mapping.
• Design communication strategies to engage priority audiences, including stakeholders, institutions, governments, academia, the private sector, other funders, and youth, using both mainstream and social media.
• Inspire and guide the team to accelerate delivery and develop their capacity for high-impact communications.
• Offer strategic communications guidance to Program colleagues and stakeholders, including advocacy, planning, and implementation.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, such as the Research and Impact Team, to ensure alignment with the impact measurement framework.
• Provide communications support to partners and develop collaborative strategies to ensure successful delivery.
• Develop mechanisms for harvesting and telling stories, focusing on the voices of young women and men in their journeys of transformation.
• Frame findings and insights into digestible information for decision-makers in Africa, engaging subject matter experts in forums to advance the Young Africa Works strategy.
• Lead reputation management efforts with risk mitigation across the Health Program portfolio.
• Build and maintain relationships with both internal and external stakeholders, including top journalists, bloggers, and other influential media figures.
• Manage media planning, periodic media reports, and progress updates.
• Develop and manage the budget for the Rwanda Communications Program portfolio.
• Manage vendors and collaborate with agencies and consultants to support delivery.
• Align with a culture of high performance, continuous learning, and results orientation.
• Perform other duties as required by business needs.

WHO YOU ARE

• Degree in Communications, post-graduate qualification in Communications or a related field will be an added advantage.
• 15 years of experience in communications or related fields with at least 3-5 years in leadership roles.
• Experience in Program Communications or related field. Private sector or development background.
• Strong leadership and analytical skills, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with the ability to promptly identify and mitigate risks and issues.
• Creative and innovative, passionate about experimentation, learning and continuous improvement.
• Knowledge of program communications, tools, best practices, and ability to adapt and apply them to projects and situations.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, impact-driven environment with changing priorities and multiple projects simultaneously.
• Professional maturity, sensitivity to different cultures and impeccable integrity that exemplifies the Foundation’s values.
• Demonstrate a commitment to Mastercard Foundation’s values and vision.

Deadline for Applications is February 26, 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/
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