THE OPPORTUNITY
Reporting to the Head, Education Access and Success (East and Southern Africa)
This role is responsible for developing and managing a regional portfolio of Education Access and Success initiatives, including the Leaders in Teaching Initiative and new pipeline programming
WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE
- Lead new program design and approval processes, including scoping, intervention design, partner identification and engagement, co-creation, proposal development and internal approvals
- Manage existing partnerships and country portfolios in the region, in collaboration with Country Representatives and cross-functional teams, supporting implementation of programs, tracking progress and ensuring program goals and targets are achieved according to plan
- Ensure all relevant internal systems and trackers are updated accurately and on time (eg. grant management systems, impact trackers, forecasts etc.)
- Cross-functional collaboration in the design and implementation of program partnerships, with a focus on impact
- Support the Leaders in Teaching continental learning organization in the region in support of initiative-level learning and knowledge sharing
- Provide ongoing guidance, support and technical assistance to Country Workforce Development teams implementing Leaders in Teaching initiatives in the region.
- Provide back-stopping support to the other regional Lead when required
- Contribute to the planning and management of the Education Community of Practice at the Foundation
- Advance thought leadership internally and externally on secondary education and teacher development initiatives, in line with Secondary Education team Communications, Policy and Thought Leadership strategy
- Manage and mentor Program Partners, Interns and Analysts to support program development and management
- Support partners to capture data and learning and ensure that insights and impact are routinely and effectively reported, and continually integrated into program design and implementation
- Cultivate and manage relationships with eco-systems actors and education stakeholders to scale impact, representing the Foundation in regional/local workshops, conferences and education fora
- Develop and manage consultancies
WHO YOU ARE
- A Master’s Degree in a relevant field including education, economic development or related social sciences field
- Relevant professional qualification in program management would be an asset in this role
- Minimum of 8 years overall experience, with demonstrated leadership experience
- Experience engaging with the senior leadership of development partners and education organizations, high-level government representatives and the private sector
- Experience co-creating and building new initiatives or transforming existing ones into something more impactful, in a multi-cultural environment
- Experience in proposal and partnership development, M&E design and program communications
- Experience and sensitivity to issues of safeguarding and inclusion; experience delivering programs for women, people with disabilities, and/or refugees and displaced youth highly desirable
- Experience working in a fast-paced, fluid environment, managing multiple competing priorities
- Experience working across cultures and geographies, and experience living and working in Africa is required.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with multi-location and virtual teams
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to articulate information to a variety of constituents across cultures
- Knowledge and understanding of key issues, emerging trends, opportunities and critical barriers in education (especially secondary education and skills development) in Africa
- Excellent English and French language skills are required
- Excellent analytical skills, the ability to think strategically and to contribute to the development of the Foundation’s strategy
- Ability and willingness to travel
- Excellent ability to build effective working relationships with cross-functional teams
- Possess professional maturity, sensitivity with different cultures, and impeccable integrity.
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.
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