Program Head, Inclusion

ABOUT MASTERCARD FOUNDATION

Mastercard Foundation seeks a world where everyone has the opportunity to learn and prosper. Through its Young Africa Works strategy and Canadian EleV program, the Foundation works with partners to ensure that millions of young people, especially young women, access quality education, financial services, and dignified work. Mastercard Foundation was established in 2006 through the generosity of Mastercard when it became a public company. The Foundation is independent with its own Board of Directors and CEO.

THE WORK AT THE FOUNDATION

We are currently in an exciting period at the Mastercard Foundation as we intensify the implementation of the Young Africa Works strategy, aiming to empower 30 million young people throughout Africa to access dignified and fulfilling employment.

To ensure the Foundation's accessibility to our partners and program participants, we have established offices in Rwanda, Kenya, Ghana, Senegal, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Uganda. These offices provide strong in-country support for the implementation of Young Africa Works. We collaborate with governments, the private sector, educators, and other funders to enhance the quality of education and vocational training, equip young individuals with the necessary skills for the workforce, expand access to financial services for entrepreneurs and small businesses, and facilitate connections between job seekers and meaningful employment opportunities.

Our values serve as our guiding principles, transcending and surpassing all other considerations. We wholeheartedly encourage you to bring your bold ideas, curiosity, and expertise to your work.

If you are an experienced Program Head or Inclusion professional looking to increase your impact, read on!

THE OPPORTUNITY

Reporting to the Country Director, the Program Head will oversee the implementation of the Mastercard Foundation’s strategies for gender equality, youth engagement, disability inclusion, and the inclusion of Refugees and Displaced Persons (RDPs) in Rwanda, aiming to achieve the Foundation’s inclusion targets. The role ensures programs are inclusive, promote gender equality, engage youth, and adhere to safeguarding standards. It integrates these principles into program design and evaluation while fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and safety.

WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE 

• Lead the integration of inclusion, gender equality, youth engagement, and safeguarding into all phases of program development, from conception to evaluation.
• Develop and implement policies, guidelines, and tools to support staff in integrating inclusive practices, gender-sensitive approaches, youth participation strategies, and safeguarding measures.
• Oversee gender mainstreaming, youth engagement, inclusion, and safeguarding needs assessments; design and implement support plans, including training and resource development.
• Provide training, coaching, and support to program teams, partners, and stakeholders on best practices related to inclusion, gender equality, youth engagement, and safeguarding.
• Establish monitoring frameworks and evaluation mechanisms to assess the impact of inclusion, gender, youth engagement, and safeguarding efforts on program outcomes.
• Represent the organization externally on issues related to inclusion, gender equality, youth engagement, and safeguarding; build strategic partnerships and enhance visibility.
• Identify risks related to inclusion, gender, youth engagement, and safeguarding within programs and develop risk mitigation strategies.
• Ensure compliance with relevant policies, legal requirements, and donor expectations; prepare regular progress reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Lead the development and execution of the Rwanda Gender Action Plan and Youth Engagement, Inclusion, and Safeguarding work plans; coordinate stakeholder efforts.
• Implement quality assurance processes to monitor goals and targets related to gender, youth engagement, and inclusion; use data and insights for program improvement.
• Lead and manage a team focused on gender, youth engagement, disability inclusion, and safeguarding; provide feedback, mentorship, and professional development opportunities.
• Initiate and maintain relationships with relevant organizations and government institutions focused on women, youth, refugees, and people with disabilities; represent the Foundation at related events.

WHO YOU ARE

• A degree in social sciences, gender studies, international development, or a related field; a master’s degree is preferred.
• Minimum of 7+ years of experience in program development or management roles focusing on inclusion, gender equality, youth engagement, and safeguarding.
• Experience designing and implementing capacity-building initiatives; proven track record in integrating gender equity and inclusion outcomes in both development and private sectors.
• Previous experience working with refugees, displaced persons, or people with disabilities is an added advantage.
• Strong experience in leading programs focused on youth, community mobilization, people with disabilities, and refugees; coordination skills, and managing consultants, vendors, and suppliers.
• Ability to provide strategic direction and integrate inclusion, gender equality, youth engagement, and safeguarding principles into programmatic activities, excellent project strategy creation and alignment.
• Ability to analyze data and insights to inform decision-making and program improvements.
• Strong networking and partnership-building skills with experience in stakeholder management, partnership development, and financial management; commitment to ethical standards and promoting a safe and inclusive environment.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills with the ability to articulate information to various constituents across cultures. Fluency in English and Kinyarwanda is required.
• Demonstrates professional maturity, cultural sensitivity, and integrity, aligning with the Mastercard Foundation's values and vision.

Deadline for Applications is September 13, 2024.

Mastercard Foundation (the “Foundation”) values and respects your privacy. By submitting an application for this opportunity, you hereby agree to the Foundation’s collection, use and disclosure of your personal information in accordance with its Privacy Policy (available at https://mastercardfdn.org/privacy/). Please note that the Foundation may share your personal information with third-party agencies that support the Foundation’s recruitment activities, and such third-party agencies may contact you directly regarding this opportunity. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Foundation’s Privacy Officer at the address indicated in its Privacy Policy.

The Mastercard Foundation values the unique skills and experiences each individual brings to the organization and we are committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and accessible environment for everyone.

Completion of satisfactory business references and background checks are essential conditions of employment.

For more information and to sign up for the Foundation’s newsletter, please visit http://www.mastercardfdn.org/
Follow the Foundation on Twitter at @MastercardFdn

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Last updated on Aug 23, 2024