THE OPPORTUNITY
Reporting to the Head of Outcome & Impact Measurement, the Lead, Qualitative Outcome & Impact Measurement will generate and interpret qualitative evidence that explains how and why change occurs for young people, highlighting experiences, mechanisms, and contextual factors behind observed outcomes. This role anchors the qualitative dimension of the Foundation’s impact measurement system, ensuring stories, narratives, and contextual insights are systematically gathered, synthesized, and used to deepen understanding of progress and learning across programs. Central to this work is ensuring that youth voices and lived experiences inform how evidence is designed, interpreted, and applied.
As outcome monitoring, platform reviews, and cross-enterprise evaluations expand, this role provides methodological leadership in qualitative inquiry, participatory approaches, thematic analysis, and integration of contextual insights into evidence products. It strengthens our ability to complement quantitative metrics with in-depth explanations and narratives that enrich understanding of impact.
WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE
Translate the Foundation’s Impact and Measurement Frameworks into robust qualitative study designs and inquiry processes that capture change from young people’s perspectives.
Lead qualitative and participatory inquiries aligned with the Impact Strategy, exploring how youth experience their journeys toward dignified and fulfilling work, what enables or hinders progress, and what impact means to them.
Provide technical leadership on qualitative methods, coding frameworks, analytical approaches, and use of analysis software (e.g., NVivo, Dedoose, ATLAS.ti).
Synthesize qualitative insights across platforms to surface youth narratives, patterns, and contextual explanations that enhance cross-Foundation learning.
Ensure youth voices and lived experiences inform evidence generation, interpretation, and communication, shaping how impact is understood and strengthened.
Offer collaborative guidance to Impact Partner Organizations in co-designing and executing qualitative studies, supporting reflection on methods and findings to improve quality and usefulness of insights.
Build capacity across Foundation teams and partners in qualitative research, participatory inquiry, and storytelling for learning.
Provide methodological guidance and quality assurance for qualitative studies, ensuring coherence and integration with quantitative findings.
Design research questions and qualitative guides that address key learning and measurement priorities in the Impact and Measurement Framework.
Translate qualitative findings into actionable insights for strategy, programming, and organizational learning.
Collaborate with the Quantitative Lead to integrate findings into mixed-methods learning products.
Curate, synthesize, and share qualitative evidence, including stories and narratives, to inform learning and reflection across programs.
Represent the Foundation in technical and learning forums to share experiences and strengthen sector practice.
WHO YOU ARE
Advanced degree in social sciences, anthropology, development studies, or a related field.
8+ years of experience designing and managing qualitative or mixed-methods research and evaluation for large-scale programs, ideally within international development, donor, or foundation contexts.
Expertise in qualitative research methods, including study design, validity, in-depth interviews, focus groups, participatory inquiry, ethnography, and thematic/content analysis.
Proven experience applying qualitative evaluation approaches such as case studies, outcome harvesting, most significant change, contribution analysis, participatory or developmental evaluation to understand complex change processes.
Skilled in designing research questions and qualitative guides aligned with impact frameworks and learning objectives.
Ability to integrate youth, gender, and contextual perspectives into impact evaluation and learning.
Strong analytical and synthesis skills, with the ability to communicate qualitative insights clearly for learning, strategy, and decision-making.
Learning-oriented mindset grounded in humility, collaboration, and openness to context-driven, values-aligned approaches.
Appreciates and applies adaptive, fit-for-purpose evaluation methods that emphasize understanding change, contribution, and learning in complex systems.
Willingness to travel across African countries.
Proficiency in English required, French an asset.
Possess professional maturity, sensitivity with different cultures, and impeccable integrity that exemplifies the Foundation’s values.
Demonstrate a commitment to Mastercard Foundation’s values and vision.
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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