Job Openings at Mastercard Foundation

The Lead, Entrepreneurship will support the implementation of entrepreneurship-related programs in Kenya, working closely with the Head, Entrepreneurship. This role will apply deep technical expertise in entrepreneurship to help shape, manage, and adapt the Foundation's programmatic work, ensuring alignment with the Foundation's strategy and the unique context of Kenya. The role will contribute to partnerships that unlock dignified and fulfilling work for young people and support innovations that strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE

• Support the development of the country strategy through technical insights on entrepreneurship and employment systems.
• Manage assigned programs related to entrepreneurship and financial inclusion, particularly those focused on rural and agricultural finance.
• Support the adaptation and implementation of program strategies to the country context, ensuring responsiveness to local needs and opportunities.
• Collaborate with implementation partners to ensure effective delivery of program activities, providing technical input where required.
• Maintain and strengthen relationships with partner organizations and stakeholders to support successful program outcomes.
• Support the design and execution of initiatives that drive innovation and scale in entrepreneurship.
• Contribute to learning and evidence-building by capturing lessons learned, documenting success stories, and participating in internal reviews.
• Share insights and learnings with internal teams and external stakeholders to inform thought leadership on youth employment in Africa.
• Participate in due diligence and review processes for potential new programs and partnerships.
• Monitor program performance and report on key metrics and progress toward outcomes.
• Ensure alignment of programs with the Foundation’s values, principles, and country-level objectives.
• Support the coordination of internal working groups and cross-functional collaboration related to entrepreneurship.
• Engage in activities to continuously build subject matter expertise in entrepreneurship and the broader ecosystem.

WHO YOU ARE

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree or equivalent experience in Finance, Business
• Minimum 10 years’ experience with MFIs, banks or investment companies operational in Africa to finance SMEs, with special focus on Kenya, with five (5) years of management experience.
• Deep understanding of the Kenyan entrepreneurship landscape, including rural, agricultural, and informal sectors.
• Experience working with or managing implementation partners.
• Demonstrated Knowledge of systems change approaches and an adaptive learning mindset.
• Excellent analytical skills, the ability to think strategically and contribute as a thought partner in the Foundation’s strategy development.   
• Excellent budgeting skills with the ability to manage a large portfolio of assets.   
• Excellent command of quantitative and qualitative business analytics.   
• 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.  
• Excellent knowledge of digital inclusion policy is an asset.  

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WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE

• Identifies opportunities to create impact through developing interventions in the education and skills sector in alignment with the country roadmap.
• Identifies collaboration opportunities within existing partner network and potential new partnerships that are relevant to country specific circumstances.
• Set goals and targets with respect to Workforce Development including transition (e.g., internships, fellowships, job placement, entrepreneurship activities, and further higher education) and monitor and report on progress, attainment and learning.
• Leads the integration of education & skills initiatives with other programs including transitions, youth engagement & inclusion, youth-led grassroot solutions and ensure alignment with the vision articulated in the country roadmap.
• Drive the development and execution of programmatic approach and framework to facilitate synergy, strategic coherence, and alignment in areas of education, skilling, school to work transition, and preparation and placement of young people in work anchored on the country road map.
• Provide technical leadership to ensure the country program and partnerships address the current and emerging needs of young people, especially young women.
• Set up and utilize genuine and comfortable forums to drive engagement and solicit input from young people (networks/groups), especially young women.
• Support Country Programs colleagues during co-creation of partnerships to ensure the youth ‘lens’ is captured and addressed in the approach taken around; (i.) Educations/Skilling, (ii.) Access to Finance and (iii.) Digital enablement
• Support implementing partners to build effective youth engagement and outreach mechanisms that keep young women and men as the focal point in their approach.
• Drive inclusion, ensuring that all entrepreneurship and transition programs and inputs consider the specific constraints of young people with different needs.
• Facilitates innovations and local solutions to engage young people, young women and those with different needs, and to unlock opportunities in emerging economic sectors.
• Manages relationships with senior leaders of stakeholders such as educational institutions, mandated public offices, ministries and youth led organizations.
• Supports development of Workforce Development unit budget and Country program budget in line with policies & processes.
• Supports in preparation of communications related to Workforce development unit towards internal & external contacts for approval in a timely manner.
• Determines internal and external meetings involving the Country program’s partners in relation to Workforce development.
• Coaches and mentors, the team within the Workforce Development unit and beyond
• Drives and inspires technical excellence within the team.
• Leads the team to deliver results in line with Foundation goals and KPIs.
• Prepare and present regular reports to senior leadership on key performance indicators, program effectiveness, and areas for improvement.

WHO YOU ARE

• A master’s degree in relevant field including Education, Management, Economic Development, or related social sciences field and sold relevant experience.
• Minimum 15 years of experience in a similar or related role in a fast-paced environment with local and multinational experience, with seven (7) years of experience leading and managing a team.
• Excellent operational skills covering education policy and education planning, and ability to lead complex policy and strategy dialogue.
• Excellent leadership and supervisory skills with established track record managing teams.
• Ability to influence dialogue and policy and its use in other sectors without direct control or authority.
• Excellent prioritization and managerial skills.
• Demonstrated in-depth experience and track record of results and successfully working across educational practices, disciplinary and institutional boundaries.
• Excellent interpersonal and excellent communication skills.
• Good partnership experience, including involving multiple stakeholders – both public and private.
• Excellent writing and presentation skills yet with perfect critical and analytical skills.
• Strong sense of strategy, including ability to prioritize and exit some activities.
• Possess professional maturity, sensitivity with different cultures, and impeccable integrity that exemplify the Foundation’s values.
• You have a commitment to Mastercard Foundations values and vision.

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WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE

• Lead the design and execution of the Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development portfolio of the country strategy, ensuring alignment with national priorities and the Foundation’s vision.
• Build out and integrate an inclusive Access to Finance strategy that enhances financial inclusion and MSME growth for youth and women-led enterprises.
• Define short- and long-term goals for the portfolio, guiding strategic direction, programmatic design, and partnership choices.
• Oversee the implementation and performance of entrepreneurship-focused programs and partnerships, ensuring effective delivery, coordination, and continuous improvement.
• Provide support to other strategic pillars on matters access to finance and enterprise development
• Guide the design and implementation of market-driven interventions in access to finance, digital enablement, BDS, and sectoral entrepreneurship (e.g., agriculture and green economy).
• Embed technology as an enabler across the portfolio.
• Manage program risks and develop mitigation strategies to ensure sustainable impact
• Cultivate and manage strategic relationships with partners, government institutions, and entrepreneurship ecosystems to amplify scale and impact.
• Foster knowledge exchange and learning through internal and external convenings, documentation of insights, and active participation in communities of practice.
• Promote innovation, agility, and a results-driven culture to enable impactful partnerships and scalable solutions.
• Coach, mentor, and empower team members to uphold Foundation values and deliver meaningful outcomes for young people.
• Provide leadership and performance management for the Entrepreneurship team and contribute to cross-functional team development.
• Collaborate across countries, functions, and leadership levels to strengthen the Foundation’s entrepreneurship portfolio.

WHO YOU ARE

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Economics, Entrepreneurship, or related field. 
• Minimum of fifteen 15 years of experience in the Entrepreneurship & Enterprise Development /Business Development or related role in the private sector, with seven (7) years of experience leading and managing a team.
• Demonstrated expertise and established networks and relationships in Entrepreneurship & Enterprise Development /Business Development or related sector in Kenya.
• Deep knowledge of the country’s employment, job creation, innovation landscape
• Proven track record of working with and mentoring successful entrepreneurship endeavors 
• Experience in initiating new initiatives, preferable in Enterprise/Business development
• Proven experience effectively engaging and collaborating with high-level government officials, key partners, media, business leaders and other network influencers.
• Experience with entrepreneurship or intrapreneurship.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Kenyan economic, political context, public sector priorities, and evolving nature of private sector
• Exposure to systems thinking with an ability to understand and engage with stakeholders in Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development and design programming that addresses root causes and critical needs.
• Substantive knowledge of key issues and emerging trends and barriers in Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development integration and strong understanding of Country policy, practices, and priorities.
• Strategic thinker, Innovative with strong influencing skills
• Ability to interact with diverse and senior stakeholders
• Demonstrates strong organizational skills with excellent prioritization and attention to detail.
• Excellent leadership and team management skill
• Comfortable and highly effective when faced with ambiguity and/or complexity
• Able to formulate and develop new or creative ideas and approaches