Partner, Strategy & Planning at Mastercard Foundation

THE OPPORTUNITY

Reporting to the Head, Country Programs, the Partner, Strategy & Planning will collaborate closely with the Country Head to enhance the effectiveness of program delivery. You will support the planning, alignment, review, and performance tracking of country programs against Young Africa Works (YAW) goals, ensuring cross-pillar coordination and assisting planning and monitoring teams. Additionally, you will aid in identifying strategic opportunities, conducting analysis, and developing recommendations aligned with the country's context and Young Africa Works strategy.

WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE

• Support the Country Head and Country Programs Head in performance tracking, maintaining systems, processes, templates, and toolsets aligned with the country context.
• Maintain and monitor governance processes for planning tools.
  Regular status reporting, tracking pillar performance against targets, and collating data on Business Intelligence.
• Support program execution, including planning, team management, team development, change management, and communications.
• Provide analytical support for assessing and evaluating strategic opportunities to drive impact.
• Support the development of reports and strategic recommendations based on internal and external insights.
• Develop, analyze, and present materials for Country Leadership review.
• Identify, document, assess, monitor, report, and escalate dependencies, risks, issues, and decisions related to country programming.
• Support short-term and long-term country planning initiatives.
• Prepare management reports for the Country Head and Country Programs Head.

 WHO YOU ARE 

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in business administration or a related field; a master's degree is an added advantage.
• PMP or relevant Project Management Certification.
• Minimum of 7 years' experience managing projects/programs, preferably in education, youth employment, entrepreneurship, digital economy, or agriculture/food systems.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
• Proven experience designing programs, building partnerships, and collaborating with stakeholders from NGOs, multilateral organizations, educational institutions, government, MSMEs, private sector, and youth.
• Strong skills in integrating gender equality and inclusion outcomes in programs.
• Ability to work across cultures and geographies; experience working in Africa is required.
• Expertise in systems thinking, engaging stakeholders, and addressing root causes and critical ecosystem needs.
• Knowledge of key issues, trends, and barriers in African youth employment.
• Strong project management, organizational, prioritization, and coordination skills, with attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Excellent communication, presentation, proofreading, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to tailor information for diverse audiences.
• Strong interpersonal and listening skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships.
• Impeccable judgment, emotional intelligence, and comfort with ambiguity and complexity.
• Entrepreneurial mindset, team player, eager to learn, and committed to the Foundation’s values.