Program Lead, Digital Economy at Mastercard Foundation

THE OPPORTUNITY

Reporting to the Country Head Kenya, the Program Lead, Digital Economy will support design and implementation activities related to the Digital Economy space in Kenya. The job holder will work collaboratively with Country Program staff in the respective countries to integrate digital solutions in the Foundation’s Young Africa Works programs with the aim of enabling dignified and fulfilling work for young women and young people in general.  She/he will provide expertise and interact effectively with partner organizations and ecosystem stakeholders to advance the development and delivery of the Foundation’s country strategy.

WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE

• Lead in designing of partnerships/program in the Digital area and related to and supporting all relevant economic sectors;
• Diagnosing and contributing to expertise on digital economy enabling environment and policy to inform country strategy design, partnership development, and monitoring processes.
• Collaborate with Program Leads / Partners to review proposals, develop strategic outcomes and program roadmaps.
• Contribute to evolution in thinking and new approaches needed to get to scale.
• Integrate impact considerations to ensure the needs of young women and young people in general are addressed within the program design.
• Provide assistance in expanding the Foundation team’s capacity relating to digital skills development and digital policy, by sharing learning and supporting country teams.
• Provide support to the Country Head in expanding the Foundation team’s capacity relating to digital skills development and digital policy
• Support the adaptation of the Foundation’s programming and learning related to Digital to specific country contexts, leveraging country diagnostics and learning from our portfolio of partners.
• Manage current and future programs, as appropriate, which may include facilitating implementing partner coordination, reviewing narrative and financial reporting, undertaking regular partner/site visits and distilling learnings for the country and Foundation Digital Economy staff.
• Lead in design and delivery of appropriate mechanisms to monitor effectiveness and Impact of Digital interventions in close collaboration with the Impact staff.
• Design and delivery of appropriate mechanisms to monitor effectiveness and impact of skills development interventions in close collaboration with the Impact Learning team.
• Collaborate with the program and country teams to leverage synergies across programs and across geographies.
• Participate in governance activities related to programs, such as investment committees, advisory committees or other stakeholder fora to provide oversight or elevate and leverage learnings.
• Identify challenges and opportunities in the digital economy to drive job growth.
• Lead and supervise teams of colleagues and/or junior experts by providing coaching and support necessary for success and growth.
• Identify and help overcome challenges and other barriers to team effectiveness.
• Contribute insights to the Foundation’s thought leadership on digital skills development in Africa by writing blogs, attending and presenting at conferences and identifying other opportunities to share and deepen learning.
• Provide assistance in expanding the Foundation team’s capacity relating to digital skills development and digital policy, by sharing learning and supporting country teams.
• Build partnerships and maintain relationships with key stakeholders at country-level, communities of practice and global stakeholders.
• Represent the Foundation and collaborate with key internal and external audiences.

WHO YOU ARE

• Master’s degree or equivalent experience in education, business, or a technology-related field.
• At least 13 years of experience working with the private and non-profit sectors, particularly in a role relating to digital technology and skills development in Africa.
• Experience in a commercial function in at least one relevant digital technology industry focused on low income customers – e.g. product management, strategy, design.
• Familiarity with relevant technologies and sectors with potential for emerging markets - software solutions, app or platform providers, venture capital, incubators, digital financial services providers, e-government, data analytics, etc.
• Experience working with the non-profit or public sectors, particularly in a role relating to digital technology.
• Experience with entrepreneurship or intrapreneurship.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Ugandan & African social, economic and political contexts.
• Demonstrates strong analytical skills, the ability to think strategically and contribute as a thought partner in the Foundation’s strategy development.
• Demonstrates strong budgeting skills with the ability to manage a large portfolio of assets.
• Command of quantitative and qualitative business analytics.
• Possess excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills with the ability to articulate information to a variety of constituents across cultures.
• Excellent project management skills, including multi-stakeholder projects.
• Experience living and/or working in Africa.
• Knowledge of digital inclusion policy is an asset.
• Flexible, adaptable, and able to execute a range of job duties and changing priorities.
• Strong written and spoken communication skills in English.
• Possess excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills with the ability to articulate information to a variety of constituents across cultures.
• Possess professional maturity, sensitivity with different cultures, and impeccable integrity that exemplify the Foundation’s
• Demonstrate a commitment to Mastercard Foundation’s values and vision.

Deadline for Applications is  June 25, 2022