WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE

• Lead the development of portfolio-level strategy, including outcomes, approach, and work plan.
• Identify new global partnership opportunities and structure collaboration frameworks focused on youth development and institutional strengthening in Africa.
• Drive the co-creation process with new partners in consultation with Program Partners, Leads, and the Head.
• Establish metrics for measuring the success and progress of partnerships in consultation with Scholars Program Heads and the Impact team.
• Develop terms of reference for new work and lead the identification of external resources to support delivery.
• Support partners with implementation, track progress, and ensure high-quality program delivery, including safeguarding Scholars and participants.
• Collaborate with the Scholars Program Transitions team to ensure the successful transition of Scholars into work or further education.
• Work with the Transformative Leadership team to ensure partners implement on-campus transformative leadership programs for Scholars.
• Ensure all partnerships consider and address the specific constraints of marginalized youth, particularly young women, refugees, displaced youth, and youth with disabilities.
• Cultivate and manage relationships with stakeholders to scale impact, including developing partner networks, engaging governmental bodies, and coordinating cross-organizational collaboration.
• Facilitate connections, exchange, and learning across the Scholars Program regional portfolio, including leading face-to-face and virtual advisory groups, convenings, and working groups.
• Coach and mentor colleagues to deliver high-quality work aligned with Foundation values in a supportive and collaborative environment.

Who You Are

• Master’s degree and/or professional qualification in international development, education, public policy, social sciences, or a related field.
• Proficiency with MS Suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Proven experience contributing to and transforming initiatives in a multicultural environment, particularly in Africa.
• Strong knowledge of the higher education ecosystem in Africa and key issues, emerging trends, and barriers in education and youth employment.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and build effective partnerships across cultures and geographies.
• Delivering results in fast-paced, fluid environments with strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Strategic thinker with excellent analytical skills, contributing as a thought partner in strategy development.
• Experience and sensitivity to issues of inclusion, with a focus on programs for women, people with disabilities, and/or refugees and displaced youth.
• Passion for youth education and employment in Africa, with a commitment to engaging and empowering marginalized groups.
• Entrepreneurial mindset for building new functions in dynamic environments, with a service-oriented approach to driving common goals.
• Results-driven, with a strong sense of performance excellence and urgency, and the ability to handle multiple priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to experiment, innovate, and leverage best practices.
• Fluency in one or more languages spoken in Africa, including English.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, written, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate across cultures and build effective partnerships at all levels.
• Professional maturity, cultural sensitivity, impeccable integrity, and a demonstrated commitment to Mastercard Foundation’s values and vision.