Lead, Program Delivery

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.

UNDERSTANDING CANADA PROGRAMS AT THE FOUNDATION

The Foundation has begun working within Canada in partnership with Indigenous communities and post-secondary institutions to listen, learn, and best understand how we can act in meaningful ways. The EleV strategy was co-created with Indigenous communities, young people, and partners to enable 100,000 Indigenous youth to complete their education and transition to dignified work aligned with their values and aspirations.

As reflected in Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, education is a key driver of improved socio-economic well-being. Through building partnerships with Indigenous communities, we look to expand our initiative ultimately helping to support a generation of transformative Indigenous young leaders who will be change agents within their communities. We believe that by setting a bold target, we will encourage engagement across sectors and create momentum that will elevate the strengths and opportunities of Indigenous youth. In keeping with our approach, Indigenous communities and young people will be the drivers of this transformation. The program will promote innovations to address longer-term systemic change to achieve economic prosperity and social well-being within Indigenous communities.

The EleV team oversees current and emerging partnerships related to Indigenous education. Consistent with our overall vision and Youth Africa Works strategy, we will share learnings and opportunities to connect across the work of the Foundation. While operating in distinct contexts, the centrality of youth voice and vision, affirmation of culture and identity, and priority to enhance community capacity for self-determination are common threads upon which our work is strengthened and reinforced.

UNDERSTANDING AFRICA PROGRAMS 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 Indigenous programs and looking to increase your impact, read on!

THE OPPORTUNITY 

Reporting to the Head, Program Development Canada, the Lead, Program Execution will be responsible for facilitating, developing, and overseeing impactful programs in Canada. You will drive and support innovation and strong execution through adaptive project management, strategic thinking, and leadership.

WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE 

• Provide inputs in the design, iteration, and implementation of the Canada eleV strategy by working closely with the Head of Program Development Canada and other colleagues to foster innovation and advance programs that unlock opportunities for Indigenous youth and their communities.
• Develop the program portfolio focusing on innovative approaches and growth opportunities linked to the eleV Strategy focus areas, including post-secondary education, entrepreneurship and economic development, health transformation, culture and language revitalization, land stewardship, digital equity, and skills.
• Collaborate with integrated Canada programs and country teams to develop or implement new programs, including co-creating program designs and conducting due diligence practices.
• Engage with Indigenous youth, leadership, and key stakeholders to set programming priorities and co-create initiatives to achieve eleV goals. Build open, trust-based relationships with partners while adhering to the Foundation's monitoring and reporting requirements.
• Communicate progress, share lessons learned, and report on programs to foundation colleagues, government, Indigenous communities, and key stakeholders, supporting continuous strategy improvement.
• Provide expertise on emerging solutions to challenges Indigenous youth and their communities face in education and employment, identifying opportunities in new sectors that drive youth empowerment.
• Contribute insights to the Foundation’s thought leadership on Indigenous education and employment and apply best practices for coordinating and integrating project plans across programming.
• Build and maintain partnerships with organizations, governments, the private sector, communities of practice, and Indigenous youth.
• Collaborate with program and country teams to leverage collaborations across programs and geographies, enhancing impact across the Foundation’s initiatives.
• Lead and supervise a team of program partners by providing guidance and support for their growth and success, identifying and addressing challenges to improve team effectiveness.
• Champion and elevate the voices of Indigenous people, particularly youth, and integrate Indigenous knowledge, approaches, and values throughout the Foundation's activities to pursue strategic objectives.
• Represent the Foundation and collaborate with key internal and external audiences. 

WHO YOU ARE

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and membership in a relevant professional body.
• Extensive experience or lived experience collaborating with Indigenous youth, communities, and organizations, especially within multi-sector initiatives that involve young people, government institutions, and the private sector.
• Experience in areas central to the eleV strategy, including post-secondary education, economic development, health transformation, cultural and language revitalization, land stewardship, digital equity, and skills development.
• Proficient in facilitation, strategic analysis, planning, project management, and leading diverse teams
• Strong interpersonal and written communication skills, with a talent for relationship-building
• Flexible, adaptable, and able to execute a range of job duties and changing priorities.
• Commitment to Mastercard Foundation’s values and vision

Deadline for Applications is November 13, 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/
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