Career Opportunities at Mastercard Foundation

THE WORK AT THE FOUNDATION  

We have entered a very exciting time at the Foundation as we scale up our operations across Africa to realize our Young Africa Works strategy. Our role at the Mastercard Foundation is to be a catalyst. Our Young Africa Works strategy focuses on working with others to spur systemic change so young people have the opportunity to find work that is dignified and fulfilling.  

The Foundation has opened offices in Rwanda, Kenya, Ghana, Senegal, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Uganda, building a broader leadership presence in Africa to develop specific strategies that support youth employment.  Within a country, we work with governments, the private sector, educators and other funders to improve the quality of education and vocational training, prepare young people for the work force, expand access to financial services for entrepreneurs and small businesses, and connect job seekers to dignified and fulfilling work. 

We are ambitious and driven. Our values transcend and rise above everything else as our guide. We encourage you to bring your bold ideas, curiosity, and expertise to your work. We laugh at ourselves and with each other. We are a team. Our journey together makes our impact even more meaningful. 

If you are an experienced Accounts Payable professional ready to increase your impact, read on! 

THE OPPORTUNITY  

Reporting to the Accounts Payable Lead and a valued member of the Shared Services Team, the Accounts Payable Accountant (2) reviews and processes multi-currency payments including electronic fund transfers (EFT), automated clearing house (ACH) and wire transfers in a timely manner ensuring accuracy of information and compliance with internal controls, policies and procedures.  Ideal candidate can meet deadlines while providing a high level of customer service to internal and external stakeholders. 

The successful candidate will be based in any of our country offices in Africa (Kenya, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Uganda, Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal). 

WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE  

• Review and process payments globally, including EFT, ACH and wire transfers for payment of invoices, program disbursements, expense reports and payroll funding ensuring accuracy of amounts, bank account information, and vendor details. 
• Process transfers to replenish global bank accounts ensuring cash requirements are met. 
• Lead the review and follow-up of problematic items, coordinate actions taken to eliminate issues, or escalate as needed. 

• Support internal and external stakeholders with inquiries related to processing of bank transfers and payments. 
• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of processes and procedures. 

WHO YOU ARE 

• A diploma and/or degree in Accounting, Business or in a related field is required. Relevant accounting certification/designation or in progress is highly desirable. 
• You have minimum 3 – 5 years of accounts payable and payments experience working in a Canadian charity or foundation and/or global multi-currency environment. 
• You have solid understanding of internal controls, accounting, and auditing principles. 
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills. 
• Excellent customer service skills. 
• You are an active participant in an environment of fast-paced growth, continuous improvement, and teamwork. 
• Keen attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, specifically Outlook, Word, Excel (intermediate/advanced), SharePoint. 
• Knowledge of Great Plains and SAP Concur considered an asset. 
• Proficiency in English is required. Ability to speak French and/or any local language(s) is an asset. 
• Flexible, adaptable, and able to execute a range of job duties and changing priorities. 
• Possess excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills with the ability to articulate information to a variety of constituents across all teams. 
• Possess professional maturity, sensitivity with different cultures, and impeccable integrity.  
• You have a commitment to Mastercard Foundation’s values and vision  

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THE WORK AT THE FOUNDATION

We have entered a very exciting time at the Foundation as we scale up our operations across Africa to realize our Young Africa Works strategy. Our role at the Mastercard Foundation is to be a catalyst. Our Young Africa Works strategy focuses on working with others to spur systemic change so young people have the opportunity to find work that is dignified and fulfilling.

The Foundation has opened offices in Rwanda, Kenya, Ghana, Senegal, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Uganda, building a broader leadership presence in Africa to develop specific strategies that support youth employment.  Within a country, we work with governments, the private sector, educators and other funders to improve the quality of education and vocational training, prepare young people for the work force, expand access to financial services for entrepreneurs and small businesses, and connect job seekers to dignified and fulfilling work.

We are ambitious and driven. Our values transcend and rise above everything else as our guide. We encourage you to bring your bold ideas, curiosity, and expertise to your work. We laugh at ourselves and with each other. We are a team. Our journey together makes our impact even more meaningful.

If you are an Accounting professional ready to build something new and increase your impact, read on!

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Lead, FP&A is a key partner to the Head of Finance & Accounting, Africa and Program Senior leadership Program team members accountable for Program financial risk management through financial planning and monitoring, financial analysis for strategic decision-making in programming and provision of critical inputs to enable cash management to fund the Foundation’s operations. This position will be responsible for developing and driving a proactive, collaborative partnership with the Enterprise FP&A teams.

The successful candidate will be based in any of our country offices in Senegal, Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya or Rwanda.

WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE

Partnering

• Finance Business partner to the Head of Research and the Head of Strategy & Planning within the program team.
• Undertake the full financial cycle management of programming (Research Programs) including, but not limited to, aspects of Due Diligence, Budgeting, Contracting, Risk management, Continuous financial management and financial controls within the programmatic space.
• Provide them with end-to-end financial support; providing financial information, tools, analysis and insight, enabling more effective & informed decisions and driving strategy.
• Structure, build, and maintain financial and decision-making models to develop meaningful insights and actionable recommendations for the programs portfolio.
• You will also strategically support the decision making on tools and technology to understand how different systems and tools work together to enable data/information of decision making.

Budgeting & Forecast

• Develop & drive the budgeting cycle for Programs Function and providing analysis and explanation of current and historic performance in collaboration with the enterprise FP&A team.
• Build and maintain a rolling forecast of current and future commitments and disbursements and linkages on how the foundation is tracking towards delivery of strategic objectives.

Reporting & Analysis

• Develop dashboards to track key performance metrics and monitor the foundation’s performance as regards the programs portfolio. Provide management with insights into drivers of strategic objectives, as well as risks and opportunities.
• Liaise with Programs teams and Country heads for inputs to aid in consolidation of monthly management reports together with the Enterprise FP&A Team & the Strategy planning teams.
• Collaborate with Accounting and FP&A to optimize and expedite FP&A inputs to the monthly close process.
• Prepare succinct and clear executive presentations (financial information) that simplify complex topics, often with time sensitive deliverables.

Process Improvement

• Develop and embed reporting processes & routines together with the FP&A Head/Lead across the program finance teams that enable availability of accurate and timely information for decision support for the programs teams & continuously identify opportunities for improvement.
• Integrate impact measurement into forecasting and reporting processes.

Other

• Develop partnership with stakeholders throughout organization.
• Together with the Enterprise FP&A Head/Lead share industry knowledge and expertise with the finance team & other teams to build capability & elevate financial management literacy as needed.
• Any other tasks as maybe required from time to time.

WHO YOU ARE 

• 12+ years of experience in a highly quantitative role, with rigorous forecast and analytics reporting accountability.
• A minimum of 5 years in a supervisory capacity.
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance and Accounting or related field.
• Experience in a similar role within a large global organization would be an added advantage.
• Advanced experience in financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting, profit and loss management and analysis.
• Experience in the use of analysis tools such as Power BI, to distill complex issues into simple models and decision-making frameworks.
• Proactive in seeking solutions and better ways of working with proven ability to in building and improving process.
• Ability to present financial information to a Board level audience and to non-financial business partners.
• Good working knowledge of Financial accounting & reporting controls.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills and Microsoft office skills.
• Good Judgement, strong commercial acumen & analytical skills, with great attention to detail.
• High level of accountability.
• Ability to build positive business relationships and work collaboratively.
• Flexible, adaptable, and able to execute a range of job duties and changing priorities and an ability to prioritize, work and deliver to tight deadlines.
• 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 values.
• You have a commitment to Mastercard Foundation’s values and vision.
• French language and/or local language skills are an asset.

go to method of application »

THE WORK AT THE FOUNDATION

We have entered a very exciting time at the Foundation as we scale up our operations across Africa to realize our Young Africa Works strategy. Our role at the Mastercard Foundation is to be a catalyst. Our Young Africa Works strategy focuses on working with others to spur systemic change so young people have the opportunity to find work that is dignified and fulfilling.

The Foundation has opened offices in Rwanda, Kenya, Ghana, Senegal, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Uganda, building a broader leadership presence in Africa to develop specific strategies that support youth employment.  Within a country, we work with governments, the private sector, educators and other funders to improve the quality of education and vocational training, prepare young people for the work force, expand access to financial services for entrepreneurs and small businesses, and connect job seekers to dignified and fulfilling work.

We are ambitious and driven. Our values transcend and rise above everything else as our guide. We encourage you to bring your bold ideas, curiosity, and expertise to your work. We laugh at ourselves and with each other. We are a team. Our journey together makes our impact even more meaningful.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Reporting to the Head of Public Affairs and Communications, this role will develop and implement the Policy and Thought Leadership strategy to advance Young Africa Works and EleV in the countries in which the Foundation works. This position will also oversee editorial, speaking, and content responsibilities for the executive team and senior subject matter experts.

This individual will leverage the Foundation’s resources, including research, impact, and programming to highlight staff voices and proprietary research; support the growth of knowledge management; and identify opportunities to promote the Foundation’s messaging as a thought leader through its work and impact in Africa.

The Head of Policy and Thought Leadership will build productive and collaborative relationships with key stakeholders (i.e. Foundation executives, country leaders, government and private sector).

The successful candidate will be based in any of our country offices in Africa (Kenya, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Uganda, Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal).

WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE

• Develop and collaborate with key departments and functional teams to implement Foundation thought leadership strategy.
• Strengthen Foundation’s position as thought leader in the youth employment sector in Africa by developing policy objectives and products (briefs, papers, key messages, etc.) based on learning and insight from Young Africa Works.
• Provide strategic counsel to the President & CEO and senior leadership within the organization.
• Collaborate across functions and departments to ensure campaigns and communications are appropriately aligned and positioned.
• Write senior executive speeches, op-ed pieces, letters to the editor, etc., and develop content (policy papers, research briefs, etc.) in support of Foundation’s policy work, research, and other organizational priorities.
• Equip Foundation executives and country teams, as well as third-party spokespersons to advance strategy.
• Collaborate with functional teams to support content curation for the Young Africa Works Summit and signature events. This includes development of themes and identification of speakers.
• Support content development for Foundation event programming (e.g. Mastercard Foundation Baobab Summit, local workshops, etc.)
• Identify and map internal and external stakeholders.
• Build and maintain relationships with key opinion leaders and strategic partners.
• Build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Build, coach, mentor, a Policy and Thought Leadership team.
• Other duties as required by business needs.

 WHO YOU ARE

Pivotal Experience & Expertise

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in journalism or communications, law or policy.
• At least 15-20 years writing/editing and project management; experience with public policy; and experience in working closely with executives.
• Experience developing and implementing communications strategies.
• Experience in managing, leading, and coaching staff.
• Experience in rhetorical research, fact-checking, analysis, and content development.

Leadership Capabilities

• Innovative and entrepreneurial – can formulate and develop new or creative approaches to problems and inspires others on the team to do so as well. Able to work independently and proactively with a desire to seize opportunities.
• Flexible and open – must be comfortable with ambiguity, be receptive to new ideas, and is also willing to change when presented with best options.
• Relationship Builder – ability to build relationships throughout all levels of the Foundation, strong interpersonal and team skills. Comfortable working with individuals with diverse communications styles.
• Collaborative – commitment to team, stakeholder orientation; comfort working with all staff levels and receptive to feedback. Strong interpersonal and team skills.
• Results driven – motivated by a high sense of performance excellence and urgency. Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment with a “hands-on” approach. Has an appreciation for the importance of results and measurement.
• Organizational skills – outstanding organizational skills and attention to detail. Demonstrated ability to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced, fluid environment.
• Intellectually curious – ability to think creatively to generate original content and strategies. Strong listening skills and is open and responsive to feedback.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills – ability to articulate information to a variety of constituents across cultures.
• Integrity – Exhibits integrity and the highest ethical standards through consistent behaviour.
• Professional maturity, sensitivity with different cultures, and impeccable integrity that exemplify the Foundation’s values.
• French language skills would be an asset.
• May require international travel up to 10% of the time.