The Mastercard Foundation is a global non-governmental organisation established in 2006 and headquartered in Toronto, Canada. With assets exceeding $47 billion, it stands as Canada’s wealthiest charitable foundation and ranks among the most affluent worldwide. The Foundation is dedicated to advancing education and financial inclusion, aiming to create a world where everyone has the opportunity to learn and prosper.
In 2018, the Foundation launched its Young Africa Works strategy, focusing on enabling 30 million young people across Africa to access dignified and fulfilling work by 2030, with a particular emphasis on young women, refugees, displaced persons, and individuals with disabilities.
In Nigeria, the strategy aims to empower 10 million young Nigerians, 70% of whom are women, by expanding access to financial services, investing in job-creating sectors like agriculture and the digital economy, and improving educational ecosystems .
To achieve these ambitious goals, the Mastercard Foundation is actively recruiting professionals who are passionate about social impact and committed to driving meaningful change. The Foundation offers a dynamic work environment that values agility, innovation, and collaboration, providing opportunities for professional development and career advancement.
Current Job Openings at The Mastercard Foundation
Director, Strategy and Programming
- Locations: Africa
Time type: Full time
Academic, Professional Qualification
BSc./Master’s/MBA or PhD in a relevant field such as international development, education, public policy, or another related field.
At least fifteen (15) years’ experience in the private/development sector, passionate about education and Africa, who has demonstrated experience in building a new initiative or transforming an existing initiative into something even more impactful.
Extensive leadership experience in managing complex programs or initiatives, preferably in the field of education or youth development.
Proven ability to think in a strategic, transformative way, able to conceptualise initiatives or processes that will drive large-scale change.
Proven experience effectively engaging with technical experts to build communities of practice.
Possess excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills with the ability to articulate information to a variety of constituents across cultures.
Innovative and entrepreneurial individual who can develop new or creative approaches to problems while inspiring others on the team.
Drive to continually experiment and innovate, building and leveraging best-in-class expertise and learnings.
Commitment to the value of co-creation, employing deep listening and an authentically inclusive approach.
Demonstrated success in building and managing high-performing teams.
Proven track record of building and managing strategic partnerships.
Head, Technical and Vocational Skills Development
- Locations: Accra, Ghana
A master’s degree in education, economic development, or a related social sciences field is required, along with relevant professional qualifications in program management (an added advantage).
Membership in relevant professional bodies and networks is advantageous.
Minimum of twelve (12) years of experience, including at least five (5) years in a supervisory role, with a proven track record of building and managing high-performing teams in fast-paced, multi-cultural environments.
Strong experience in education, particularly in technical and vocational skills development, secondary and/or higher education, and managing portfolios across multiple countries.
Extensive experience engaging with senior leadership in development partners, education organizations, high-level government representatives, and the private sector.
Excellent leadership and supervisory skills, especially in managing multi-location and virtual teams.
Experience working across cultures and geographies, with a requirement of living and working in Africa.
Strong communication and analytical skills, with the ability to articulate information across diverse cultures and think strategically to contribute to the Foundation’s development.
Proficiency in English is required; French is a significant asset.
Deep knowledge of key issues, trends, and challenges in skills development in Africa.
Willingness and ability to travel.
Demonstrate commitment to the Mastercard Foundation values.
Responsibilities:
Collaborate with the heads of Secondary Education units (Girls’ Education, Access, and Success) as part of the Secondary Education Leadership team to shape and evolve program strategy.
Oversee the design and implementation of Technical and Vocational Skills Development (TVSD) programs across the continent, ensuring high-quality delivery and progress tracking.
Set portfolio goals and work with the Impact Team to monitor and achieve program objectives.
Coordinate with Mastercard Foundation Country Program teams on local Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and skills development initiatives.
Oversee learning organizations providing technical support on Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) at the continental level.
Develop and manage consultancies at the Mastercard Foundation
Share learning and collaborate with counterparts across the Education and Transitions team.
Provide guidance and technical assistance to the Secondary Education team on TVSD.
Facilitate cross-functional collaboration in program partnerships with a focus on impact.
Promote thought leadership on secondary-level TVSD in partnership with Program Communications and Policy teams.
Ensure data and learning are captured, reported, and integrated into program design and implementation.
Build relationships with ecosystem actors and education stakeholders, representing the Foundation at workshops, conferences, and education forums.
Track team operations expenses and support budget forecasting with Program Finance teams.
Finance Head, Country Programs, Nigeria and Ghana
- Locations: Ghana
Time type: Full time
Academic, Professional Qualification
- Degree or Master’s degree in BA or related field.
- You have a relevant professional qualification, such as CPA or CA, and are a member of a relevant professional body.
- At least 15 – 18 years in progressively senior financial roles within large and/or global organizations, with at least 10 years in management capacity (Previous Finance Leadership experience).
- Experience interfacing and operating with senior executives in public, government and private sectors.
- Experience building capabilities and capacity of accounting and operations teams in high-growth organizations.
- Able to Identify and Mitigate Operational, Financial and Business Risks.
- Manage Operational Internal Control Systems, processes and Policies.
- Management & Financial Reporting including Financial Forecasting & Budgeting.
- Demonstrated people management and leadership capabilities in a fast-growing organization.
- Ability to assess risks and exercise judgment in making important decisions (Risk Management & Internal Controls Management).
- Ability to influence senior executives internally and externally and manage the pressure of work.
- Ability to lead through complexity and lead enormous work volume, manage organizational risks and recommend appropriate decisions.
- Demonstrated initiative and drive towards innovative problem solving. Honed business partnership skills with Impeccable integrity.
- Ability to assess risks and exercise judgment in making important decisions.
Responsibilities:
- Manage the full lifecycle of Finance program partner contracts, including Expression of Interest (EOI), concept and proposal review, contract approval, due diligence, budget assessment, program execution, monitoring, financial reviews, and program close-out.
- Conduct ongoing financial monitoring and reporting post-kickoff to ensure resources are deployed as planned, with sufficient funding and controls to support program outcomes and compliance with CRA record-keeping requirements.
- Coordinate program close-out activities and ensure all financial documentation is accurate, timely, and complete.
- Guide and train external program partners on budgeting, financial reporting, due diligence, internal controls, and Canadian regulatory compliance.
- Lead assessments of partner financial capacity and ensure robust due diligence processes are conducted, including annual reviews, risk screening, and financial analysis.
- Engage and cultivate strong relationships with partners to ensure good financial governance and support program success for the Mastercard Foundation.
- Provide financial expertise and guidance to the Programs team on strategy development, budgeting, and execution.
Finance Lead, WAEMU
- Location: Dakar, Senegal
Time type: Full time
Academic, Professional Qualification
Bachelor’s degree or full accounting qualification is required
Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in financial roles within large and/or global organizations. Exposure to different cultures and work environment specially francophone areas.
Strong Analytical skills with a high level of attention to detail.
Project Management Competence.
Working knowledge of Financial Internal Controls Management.
Financials Reporting & Analysis experience including Budgeting, Financial Forecasting.
Problem solving skills and good influencing skills.
Fluent in English and French.
Able to Identify & Mitigate Operational, Financial and Business Risks.
Able to generate Routine Accounting Records and Financial Reports plus determine and apply correct accounting treatments.
Excellent communicator, (excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills) with the ability to articulate information to a variety of constituents across cultures,
Results driven and self-disciplined, with a strong sense of team and common purpose to achieve ambitious goals.
Flexible, adaptable, intellectually curious and open, you are comfortable with ambiguity, receptive to new ideas and willing to learn and change.
Able to formulate and develop a new or creative approach to a problem
Proficient in MS Office applications, particularly Excel.
Responsibilities:
Manage the full cycle of Finance program partner contracts, i.e. Expression of Interest (EOI), proposal, contract approval, conduct due diligence, budget reviews, program execution and monitoring, and program completion.
Guide and train external program partners on all financial aspects of contract execution, including budgeting and reporting, due diligence, financial controls.
Provide financial expertise and advice internally to the Foundation’s Programs team on the development and implementation of comprehensive programming strategies.
Provide ad-hoc data and support for learning and evaluation activities, including analysis of program outputs and value-for-money.
Maintain accurate and timely financial documentation and data, and report on contract commitments, disbursements, and cash flow projections.
Ensure the managements grants systems is updated in a timely & Accurate manner with the correct financial information for each program.
Ongoing monitoring program financial performance post kick off (Deliver phase) to ensure foundation resources are deployed as envisaged and there are sufficient funding & financials controls in place to support the delivery expected program outcomes.
Pro Tips:
To stand out in your application, align your experiences and skills with the Mastercard Foundation’s core values: humility, listening, kindness & respect, co-creation, and impact . Demonstrating a genuine commitment to these principles can significantly enhance your candidacy.
Joining the Mastercard Foundation offers a unique opportunity to contribute to transformative initiatives that empower youth and drive sustainable development across Africa. If you’re passionate about making a difference and possess the skills to support the Foundation’s mission, consider applying for one of the current openings. Visit the official Mastercard Foundation career portal today to take the next step in your professional journey.
