Senior Legal Counsel

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 Legal Counsel professional looking to increase your impact, read on!

THE OPPORTUNITY 

Reporting to the Director, Legal Operations, the Senior Legal Counsel will be responsible for providing high-quality legal advice and support to key stakeholders within the Foundation’s business across Africa with specific dedication to Ethiopia. S/he will also be responsible for reviewing and advising on vendor contracts and where relevant, funding contracts, and providing post-contracting legal support for the Country Program portfolio and all legal operational needs in the dedicated countries.

WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE 

• Proactively identify, analyze, and respond to legislative developments affecting the Foundation in Ethiopia.
• Provide support in policy discussions and negotiations with officials internally and externally, developing relationships with members of the legal profession and lawyers working in external law firms and/or partner agencies in stated countries.
• Negotiate and review region-based vendor contracts and communicate feedback appropriately.
• Collaborate with the Legal and Compliance team in providing support to country and program teams in reviewing funding proposals and new program areas.
• Monitor vendor contract compliance on project implementation and related risk management issues.
• Ensure contracts are in line with the Foundation's policies, procedures, and strategic objectives.
• Provide legal support on projects, programs post-contracting, and other transactions related to the Foundation’s Africa operations in the designated countries.
• In partnership with the business leaders and external partners, co-create the design and support the implementation of legal operations support projects.
• Support the continuous improvement of legal processes and procedures.
• Collaborate with the Legal and Compliance Team to maintain and upgrade legal documentation.
• Champion a values-based compliance culture as our organization evolves.
• Build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

WHO YOU ARE

• Degree in law or equivalent (LLB or JD).
• Minimum of 7 years of experience working in a reputable firm or in-house position with a demonstrated record of success, including charitable and non-profit law as well as corporate, contract, and tax law.
• Strong leadership, organizational, analytical, drafting, and negotiation skills.
• Strong interpersonal and listening skills, open and receptive to feedback.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (PowerPoint, Word, and Excel).
• Proven excellence in verbal, written, and presentation skills with the ability to articulate and distil complex information to a variety of constituents across cultures.
• Flexible, adaptable, agile, and able to execute a range of job duties with multiple deadlines and changing priorities.
• Possess professional maturity, cultural sensitivity, and impeccable integrity that exemplify the Foundation’s values.
• Commitment to Mastercard Foundation’s values and vision.

Deadline for Applications is May 30, 2024.

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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