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 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) looking to increase your impact, read on!

THE OPPORTUNITY 

Reporting to the Head, Country Programs, the Lead, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) will support partnership design and implementation within the TVET and transitions space. The role collaborates with Country Program staff to integrate TVET/Skilling into the Foundation's Young Africa Works programs, aiming to enable dignified and fulfilling work for young people in general. The Lead will engage with partner organizations and ecosystem stakeholders to advance the Foundation’s country strategy and strengthen the TVET ecosystem in Kenya by aligning TVET programs with labor market demands, enhancing youth employability, and fostering partnerships in sectors like agrifood systems, cottage industries, and manufacturing.

WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE

• Design programs to integrate technical skills training, entrepreneurial skills, and soft skills to prepare youth for labor market entry.
• Cultivate partnerships with government agencies, private sector players, TVET institutions, and non-profits.
• Promote collaboration to align TVET curricula with industry needs and future job market trends.
• Facilitate stakeholder engagement to enhance inclusion for marginalized groups, such as women, youth with disabilities, and refugees.
• Oversee program implementation, ensuring alignment with agreed timelines, budgets, and quality benchmarks.
• Lead efforts to measure program outcomes, focusing on youth employment, entrepreneurship, and equitable access.
• Document lessons learned and best practices to inform continuous improvement and policy advocacy.
• Manages relationships with senior leaders of stakeholders within the TVET ecosystem such as educational institutions, mandated public offices, ministries and youth led organizations.

WHO YOU ARE

• A Master’s degree in Education, Management, Economic Development, or a related social sciences field, with substantial relevant experience.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in a similar or related role, preferably in a fast-paced environment with both local and multinational exposure.
• Expertise in education policy, planning, and TVET ecosystem, with the ability to lead complex policy and strategy dialogue.
• Strong leadership, supervisory, and team management skills with a proven track record of success.
• Ability to influence policy and strategic dialogue across sectors without direct control or authority.
• Excellent prioritization, managerial, and project management skills, particularly in multi-stakeholder environments.
• Proven experience and results in working across educational practices, disciplines, and institutional boundaries.
• Experience in partnership building, engaging multiple stakeholders from both public and private sectors.
• In-depth knowledge of TVET best practices and workforce development training, with a particular focus on the Kenyan context.
• Expertise in designing and implementing education-focused programs or policies, especially in non-profit or public sectors.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and strategic planning abilities, contributing to the development of the Foundation's strategy.
• Advanced command of quantitative and qualitative business analytics, and experience with budgeting and managing large portfolios.
• Flexible, adaptable, and able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex information clearly to diverse audiences.
• 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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