Director, Country Program Strategic Delivery at Mastercard Foundation

The Director, Country Programs Strategic Delivery leads the design and implementation of a fit-for-purpose program delivery structure, processes, and supporting infrastructure for the effective and efficient delivery of Country programming. The role holder is the primary point of contact for business partnering with all enterprise level program operations and planning functions (e.g., finance, legal, Program Operations, etc.) with responsibilities for all aspects of operational planning, tracking, and management for the Country Programs platform.

WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE

• Designing, harmonizing, and codifying Country Programs approach, standards, tools, and processes across program design, implementation, and tracking. 
• Develop grounding documentation on Country Programs Delivery methodologies for developing and reviewing sector strategies, programs, and partnerships.
• Instituting a “continuous improvement” culture and appropriate processes to capture, codify, and promulgate best practices, while making structural adjustments and engaging other enabling functions as needed.
• Comprehensive and strategic project management support, including upfront thought-partnership on programmatic structuring for effective operationalization and rapid mobilization.
• Coordination of cross-functional business partnering team for seamless and rapid execution of on-going business processes that require close cooperation between finance, legal, compliance, risk, Program Operations & planning, and comms functions across countries.
• Close collaboration with impact teams in embedding of the impact measurement framework and processes, including tools, systems, training for country program teams, baseline work, and monitoring the adequacy of resourcing.
• Effective technology integration:
• Fluxx configuration and revisions (on-going engagement to inform each release cycle) aligned to Country Program needs.
• Ensuring appropriate data management, data architecture, storage, and structuring
• Operational Planning coherence: maintaining a dynamic and comprehensive view of Country Programs operational and execution elements, integrating with enabling functions, enterprise-level planning, and maintaining a team calendar.
• Champion cross-platform engagement with PANA (Pan-African Programs) and E&T (Education & Transition) teams on opportunities for collaboration, scaling, ways of work, processes, guidelines, routines, etc.
• Programmatic Planning: support enhanced portfolio planning with stronger alignment to outcomes and key drivers of impact.
• Contribute to the shaping of country programs approach for partnering with Policy and Thought Leadership and PAC on thematic areas that are critical to youth in work, priority collaboration areas and how we ‘show up’ at external events, government relations etc.
• Drive a continued mainstreaming and embedding of cross cutting themes (gender, inclusion, youth engagement, safeguarding) in programs to align to the Foundation’s overall aspirations.

WHO YOU ARE

• Minimum of fifteen (15) years of experience managing projects and programs, with at least 5 years in senior strategy, management consulting, or general manager roles.
• A master's degree in a relevant field such as international development, public policy, or business administration
• Creative in solving problems and generating innovative solutions.
• Strong Project Management skills and experience: ability to manage multiple high-profile projects and effectively leverage all resources to achieve results.
• Broad Knowledge of financial analysis and reporting techniques; human resources and risk management planning; and/or accounting.
• Broad knowledge of processes, protocols, and procedures with a focus on budget, account and fund management and/or personnel management under labour contract(s) and personnel policy
• Experience in coordinating diverse programs and functions for a very diverse department.
• Well-honed written, verbal, and creative communication skills, including the ability to translate insight into content, create slide or written presentations, and create overall communication plans.
• Professional maturity, sensitivity to different cultures, and impeccable integrity that exemplify the Foundation’s values.