Lead, Pandemic Sciences at Mastercard Foundation

THE OPPORTUNITY

• Reporting to the Director, Special Programs Collaboratives, the Lead, Pandemic Sciences Collaborative will be responsible for engaging partners and youth to drive the successful implementation of the Foundation's Health Collaboratives namely the Pandemic Sciences Collaborative and the Public Health and Primary Health Care Collaborative. The role builds and stewards high-quality partnerships that advance youth-centred health programming across Africa.

WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE

Partnership design and delivery

• Contribute to the design and implementation of the Higher Education Pandemic Sciences Collaborative.
• Co-create proposals with prospective partners across the respective collaboratives.
• Collaborate with colleagues across Special Programs, Education and Transitions, and other Foundation teams to strengthen new and existing partnerships.
• Advise and accompany partners on implementation, progress tracking, and learning, ensuring high-quality delivery across the partnership portfolio.
• Support the planning and execution of governance structures within the collaboratives.

Convening, learning and reporting

• Organize monthly or quarterly partner meetings to ensure excellence in implementation.
• Plan and deliver face-to-face convenings and virtual meetings.
• Capture data and learnings, ensuring insights and impact are routinely and effectively reported and integrated into program adaptations.
• Analyze and synthesize partner feedback to inform broader program development and drive continuous improvement.
• Support connections, exchange, and learning across the regional portfolio.

Stakeholder management and safeguarding

• Cultivate and manage relationships with stakeholders to scale impact.
• Support partners in safeguarding the wellbeing of all program participants.

WHO YOU ARE

• Bachelor's degree in a health-related field, public policy, international development, social sciences, or a related field from a recognized university.
• Master's degree in a health-related field is an asset.
• Relevant professional qualification and membership in a relevant professional body.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of relevant experience in a similar setting.
• Experience engaging faculty and staff in higher education institutions, civil society organizations, government, the private sector, and young people.
• Proven experience managing multiple projects and delivering results in a fast-paced, fluid environment.
• Experience designing and delivering health, science, and/or leadership development programs for young people in Africa.
• Experience with global grant-making.
• Experience working across cultures and geographies; living and working in Africa is highly desirable.

Competencies

Technical and functional

• Fluent in English and relevant local languages.
• Knowledge of health education and youth employment issues in Africa.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with inclusion and marginalized youth.
• Proficiency with MS Office Suite.

Behavioural and interpersonal

• Strong interpersonal and partnership-building skills, with excellent communication and presentation abilities.
• Team player with high emotional intelligence.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a service orientation aligned with Foundation values.
• Results-driven, with a sense of urgency and ability to manage multiple priorities in fast-paced environments.
• Ability to balance execution with longer-term planning.
• Commitment to youth empowerment and inclusion, and to innovation, co-creation, humility, and learning.