Mastercard recruits a Program Partner, Gender

Smiling young African entrepreneur standing in front of the counter of her cafe talking on a cellphone and using a tablet

Mastercard is hiring a Program Partner, Gender

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 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 Regional Gender Lead, the Program Partner, Gender spearheads the integration of gender analysis at strategic, tactical and operational levels within the Country Program in Senegal and to create partnerships that furthers gender equality outcomes in our Young Africa Works strategy. This role has the primary responsibility of helping the Country program team in understanding gender dynamics and how they influence various opportunities for young women and young men and supporting programmatic interventions that are responsive to the realities at the country level.

The role will also collaborate with, advise, and support colleagues in various departments at country level especially Programs and Impact teams to expand internal capacity to design, implement gender-sensitive programs and achieve gender equity targets. The work undertaken under this role will be instrumental in helping generate innovative ideas to support the Foundation’s mission, and to drive the achievement of the Young Africa Works strategy in Senegal. You will also remain well-versed in information and emerging trends in gender; and contribute to gender forums and communities of practice, representing the Foundation in these spaces at country level

Ways you can contribute

  • Strategic and tactical Design
  • Work in collaboration with Regional Gender lead, the Country Head, technical experts including Impact, Thematic Research and Communication teams, Program Partners to integrate gender across the Country Strategy, program cycle, and to advance the Foundation’s overall gender outcomes in Senegal.
  • Work with country teams and partners to co-design programs and ensure adequate resources and budgeting to implement gendered approach across all Young Africa Works programs in Senegal.
  • Support the adaptation and development of gender analysis tools to suit the context in Senegal and provide technical support in applying them to various programs at the country level.
  • Take lead in gender needs assessment and design a detailed support plan for staff and partners at the Country Level including sensitization/training, resource development, identifying support networks, etc.
  • Learning, Adaptation and Thought Leadership
  • Initiate relationships with organizations working on women and youth empowerment and various segments of young people and create opportunities to listen to them and consider their input towards enhancing reach and impact for underserved young women and men in Senegal.
  • Support Country Level learning, research and evaluation partners to ensure that they can stimulate relevant, rigorous, and respective approaches to deepening the Foundation’s approach to gender equality in the Young Africa Works Strategy.
  • Work closely with the Regional Gender Lead to identify and contribute to relevant learning networks and/or communities of practice and represent the Foundation at gender related events within the Country and other levels
  • Work with internal Knowledge Management team to identify, document, and mobilize gender-related insight and learning from the Foundation’s current and future portfolio of work.
  • Contribute to a learning culture within the Foundation that is reflective, people-focused, and rooted in gender-sensitive evidence.
  • Build and maintain relationships with leaders in the field of gender equality, particularly in and identify and help develop strategic partnerships at country level.

Who you are

  • You have a Bachelor’s degree and/or combination of relevant experiences and qualification in social sciences, including gender/women/youth studies, human rights, international humanitarian and development, public health, or relevant discipline with a focus on economic empowerment.
  • Minimum of 5 years of experience with progressive responsibility in the development sector with proven track record of integrating gender equality outcomes in programs and operations with a focus on livelihood programming.
  • Relevant experience in engaging different stakeholders and partnership management including capacity assessment and providing feedback, training, collaborations and networking for effective gender outcomes.
  • You possess exceptional cross-cultural skills with knowledge of and experience with the landscape of local and national women’s organizations and networks.
  • Knowledge of Senegal’s social, economic and political contexts; lived experience with youth employment and women’s empowerment issues West Africa and working with vulnerable groups is highly valued.
  • You have experience in planning and delivering gender training for multiple audiences and translating knowledge, including synthesizing data and articulating key insights.
  • You possess demonstrated expertise in developing and applying gender analysis, design tools in multi-sectoral programs with communities and peers.
  • You are results driven and motivated by a high sense of performance excellence with a sense of urgency.
  • You are intellectually curious and open. Must be comfortable with ambiguity, receptive to new ideas, and willing to adapt.
  • Excellent prioritization and time management skills with ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
  • Proficiency with MS Office applications (PowerPoint, Word, and Excel).
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills in French, English and local language(s).
  • Ability to travel regularly within and outside Senegal.
  • Flexible, adaptable, and able to execute a range of job duties and changing priorities.
  • Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills with the ability to articulate information to a variety of constituents across cultures.
  • 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.

Deadline for Applications is April 30, 2020

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, background checks, and proof of education are essential conditions of employment.

For more information and to sign up for the Foundation’s newsletter, please visit http://www.mastercardfdn.org/