Recruitment at Mastercard Foundation

Mastercard Foundation is a global foundation based across four hubs in Kigali, Rwanda, Nairobi, Kenya, Accra, Ghana and Toronto, Canada. Our programs promote financial inclusion and advance education and learning in Africa, primarily for young people, and in Canada for Indigenous youth. The Foundation was established in 2006 through the generosity of Mastercard when it became a public company. From inception, the Foundation was designed to be a separate entity and independent from Mastercard. Our policies, operations, and funding decisions are made by our President and Board of Directors.

The Foundation believes that youth employment is key to unlocking prosperity, both for youth and their societies. Enabling young women and men from disadvantaged communities to secure dignified and fulfilling work will ensure inclusive development and economic growth in Africa.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Consultant – Lead, Research Strengthening

Location: Nigeria
Employment Type: Contract
Duration: 8 Months

The Opportunity

• Reporting to the Director, Research Strengthening and Knowledge Mobilization, the Consultant will lead knowledge development and research strengthening enterprise-wide to further Young Africa Works and other Foundation’s program objectives.
• S/he will contribute to and lead the delivery of the five-year research and knowledge development agenda as it applies to strengthening young researchers in Africa and among indigenous communities in Canada and developing partnerships to advance institutional strengthening of research organizations and networks in Africa.
• The role will also respond to immediate research questions, providing quality assurance for diagnostic, R&D and other research to enable programming across programs.

Ways You Can Contribute

• Lead the design of strengthening research systems/processes/protocols across programs to ensure high-quality research design, implementation, and analysis.
• Collaborate with programs teams to identify and address research questions to enhance effectiveness of programs and partnerships that emphasize inclusion of young researchers and youth-led organizations in alignment with the Young Africa Works strategy.
• Working with the team, s/he will contribute to building a culture that encourages inclusivity in evidence-informed decision making.
• Contribute to conducting, collating, commissioning and synthesizing research and initiatives on institutional strengthening of both nationally mandated and other knowledge institutions s to support knowledge building and program co-design & review processes.
• Collaborate across programs to co-develop research partnerships aligned with needs and knowledge development strategy.
• Develop and ensure quality control of internal & externally commissioned institution-strengthening initiatives and provide knowledge support.
• Contribute to developing the Research Strategy & build research strengthening agenda and knowledge expertise to address long-term strategic questions on global development and youth empowerment.
• Lead the engagement with local stakeholders and foundation’s programs teams to determine priority research and intervention needs.
• Provide access to best-in-class external research and knowledge for research capacity building/accompaniment and research institutional strengthening initiatives.
• Commission research projects and other knowledge products for Foundation’s thought leadership and also to enhance the international development field.
• Write and publish learnings on the Foundations programs to influence best practice internally and externally.
• Disseminate relevant learnings and insights to internal and external audiences.
• Develop strong global and in-region relationships with external research partners.
• Lead research partnerships with the programs team on proposal development and review to provide technical input on institutional strengthening in proposals.
• Build and strengthen the capacity of others to deliver high quality research, analysis, publications, and documentation.
• Under the guidance of the Research Heads, act with team members as subject matter experts for the Foundation regional research work.

Who You Are

• P.H.D / Master’s / MBA in Global Ddevelopment, the Social Sciences, Education, Public Policy or another related field is an asset.
• Leadership experience in education, the social sciences and humanities, development and/or public policy within non-profit organizations, international NGO’s and/or learning institutions.
• Expertise in research strengthening in development, social science and policy research across Africa and indigenous communities in Canada.
• Understanding of the ecosystem of research strengthening and capacity building in Africa and current trends in methodologies and approaches, especially in economic transformation/growth and development policy.
• Experience in effectively engaging with technical experts and institutions to build communities of practice.
• Ability to plan for and prioritize multiple enterprise-wide initiatives with varying timelines.
• Some success in building and managing high performing teams with proven success.
• Strong research strengthening and capacity building skills (including non-conventional and emerging inclusive approaches) with the ability to translate knowledge to technical and non-technical teams.
• Fluency in other languages relevant to the work; French would be desirable.
• Curious and enthusiastic about pursuing new avenues of strengthening research. Open to the ideas of others and shares knowledge and insight from a place of humility.
• Ability to communicate effectively with and relate to a broad range of internal stakeholders including Foundation leadership.
• Service mindset, and commitment to the value of co-creation, employing deep listening and authentically inclusive approach.
• Energetic, independent, and self-motivated individual with a solution-based approach while demonstrating innovation, integrity, quality, creativity, flexibility, and resilience.
• Flexible, adaptable and able to execute a range of job duties and changing priorities.
• Possess excellent verbal, written and presentation skills with the ability to articulate information to a variety of constituents across cultures.
• Possess professional maturity, sensitivity with different cultures, and impeccable integrity that exemplify the Foundation’s values.
• Demonstrate a commitment to Mastercard Foundation’s values and vision. 

Application Closing Date
15th February, 2024.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Job Title: Research and Learning Consultant – Research Systems Strengthening

Location: Nigeria
Employment Type: Full-time

The Opportunity

• The Foundation’s Research and Learning Department is seeking to fill a Research Systems Strengthening Consultant role.
• The assignment is expected to be carried out remotely over a period of 12 months, starting in March 2024.
• The consultant will work closely with relevant Research Leads, who will supervise the consultant’s work, progress, and deliverables. Regular assessments will be conducted to ensure that the work is progressing as planned, and any necessary adaptations will be agreed upon in a timely manner.
• The purpose of this consultancy assignment is to coordinate and provide technical support to ongoing and upcoming partnerships within the Research and Learning Department.
• S/he will provide relevant technical expertise, coordinate, and work closely with the Research and Learning team and partners for effective implementation and completion of all research and learning-related activities.

The consultant will collaborate with the Research and Learning team as well as others across the Foundation and external partners to accomplish some of the tasks outlined below:

• Support the coordination and completion of ongoing research and learning activities.
• Support the development of concept notes and terms of references for upcoming research and learning partnerships.
• Support the review of concept notes, reports, policy briefs and other knowledge products submitted by partners for internal and external use.
• Provide technical support to the Research and Learning team and partners in reviewing the research and technical design of ongoing and upcoming research and learning-related activities.
• Review the methodology, research tools, and sampling strategies of partnerships to ensure they consistently align with set objectives.
• Provide technical support and assessment of the quality and alignment of all other products designed/submitted by partners.
• Assist in producing state-of-the-art knowledge products to engage and meet the needs of various audience groups and help to coordinate and implement online and in-person learning engagements.

Ways You Can Contribute

• Support the development of concept notes and Terms of References to guide partnership development for strengthening research systems and knowledge networks in Africa, including indigenous and other knowledges.
• Support the development and review of proposals and reports submitted for research systems strengthening partnerships, including assessment of the quality of reports/knowledge products for research systems strengthening.
• Support undertaking of systematic reviews and synthesis reports as part of the research systems strengthening activities.
• Provide support in the technical and methodological design for research systems strengthening partnerships to ensure consistency and alignment.
• Support the design of partnerships involving indigenous communities to ensure alignment with indigenist research principles.

Who You Are

• A Ph.D / Master’s / MBA in Global Development, the Social Sciences, Education, Public Policy, and /or another related field is an asset.
• Experience working in a dynamic, fast-paced environments and ability to be flexible and responsive to changing needs.
• Experience in undertaking research/consultancy work in the fields of education, the social sciences and humanities, development and/or public policy within non-profit organizations, international NGO’s and/or learning institutions.
• Expertise in researching development, political, economic, cultural, and social issues across Africa.
• Understanding of research methodologies and approaches, especially in socio-economic transformations/growth and development policy.
• Experience in effectively engaging with technical experts and institutions to build communities of practice.
• Ability to plan for and prioritize multiple enterprise-wide initiatives with varying timelines.
• Strong research skills with the ability to translate findings to technical and non-technical teams.
• Experience in undertaking research and development work among indigenous communities.
• Young people with research experience and requisite qualifications will be given preference.
• Ability to work in multiple languages, especially English and French will be considered an asset.
• Flexible, adaptable, and able to execute a range of job duties and changing priorities.
• Possess excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills with the ability to articulate information to a variety of constituents across cultures.
• Possess professional maturity, sensitivity with different cultures, and impeccable integrity that exemplify the Foundation’s values.
• Demonstrate a commitment to Mastercard Foundation’s values and vision.

Application Closing Date
15th February, 2024.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Job Title: Research and Learning Consultant – Knowledge Mobilization

Location: Nigeria
Employment Type: Full-time

The Opportunity

• The Foundation’s Research and Learning Department is seeking to fill a Knowledge Mobilization Consultant role.
• The assignment is expected to be carried out remotely over a period of 12 months, starting in March 2024.
• The consultant will work closely with relevant Research Leads, who will supervise the consultant’s work, progress, and deliverables. Regular assessments will be conducted to ensure that the work is progressing as planned, and any necessary adaptations will be agreed upon in a timely manner.
• The purpose of this consultancy assignment is to coordinate and provide technical support to ongoing and upcoming partnerships within the Research and Learning Department.
• S/he will provide relevant technical expertise, coordinate, and work closely with the Research and Learning team and partners for effective implementation and completion of all research and learning-related activities.

The consultant will collaborate with the Research and Learning team as well as others across the Foundation and external partners to accomplish some of the tasks outlined below:

• Support the coordination and completion of ongoing research and learning activities.
• Support the development of concept notes and terms of references for upcoming research and learning partnerships.
• Support the review of concept notes, reports, policy briefs and other knowledge products submitted by partners for internal and external use.
• Provide technical support to the Research and Learning team and partners in reviewing the research and technical design of ongoing and upcoming research and learning-related activities.
• Review the methodology, research tools, and sampling strategies of partnerships to ensure they consistently align with set objectives.
• Provide technical support and assessment of the quality and alignment of all other products designed/submitted by partners.
• Assist in producing state-of-the-art knowledge products to engage and meet the needs of various audience groups and help to coordinate and implement online and in-person learning engagements.

Ways You Can Contribute

• Act as the primary liaison and project manager for collaborations with partners on YVR reports, overseeing the end-to-end production process and ensuring successful execution as a project management and administrative expert.
• Coordinate the production of various knowledge products (both internal and external), including tasks like research synthesis, writing, design, and copy editing, to support the Knowledge Mobilization (KM) team.
• Help manage logistical and administrative aspects of the KM team’s work, ensuring efficient and effective processes.
• Organize and coordinate impactful events related to the Research Team’s work, including both internal and external events, to promote knowledge exchange and collaboration.
• Support on other tasks and projects undertaken by the KM team as required.

Who You Are

• A Ph.D / Master’s / MBA in Global Development, the Social Sciences, Education, public policy, and /or another related field is an asset.
• Experience working in a dynamic, fast-paced environments and ability to be flexible and responsive to changing needs.
• Experience in undertaking research/consultancy work in the fields of education, the social sciences and humanities, development and/or public policy within non-profit organizations, international NGO’s and/or learning institutions.
• Expertise in researching development, political, economic, cultural, and social issues across Africa.
• Understanding of research methodologies and approaches, especially in socio-economic transformations/growth and development policy.
• Experience in effectively engaging with technical experts and institutions to build communities of practice.
• Ability to plan for and prioritize multiple enterprise-wide initiatives with varying timelines.
• Strong research skills with the ability to translate findings to technical and non-technical teams.
• Experience in undertaking research and development work among indigenous communities.
• Young people with research experience and requisite qualifications will be given preference.
• Ability to work in multiple languages, especially English and French will be considered an asset.
• Flexible, adaptable, and able to execute a range of job duties and changing priorities.
• Possess excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills with the ability to articulate information to a variety of constituents across cultures.
• Possess professional maturity, sensitivity with different cultures, and impeccable integrity that exemplify the Foundation’s values.
• Demonstrate a commitment to Mastercard Foundation’s values and vision.

Application Closing Date
15th February, 2024.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Job Title: Research and Learning Consultant – Program Research

Location: Nigeria
Employment Type: Full-time

The Opportunity

• The Foundation’s Research and Learning Department is seeking to fill a Program Research Consultant role. The assignment is expected to be carried out remotely over a period of 12 months, starting in March 2024.
• The consultant will work closely with relevant Research Leads, who will supervise the consultant’s work, progress, and deliverables. Regular assessments will be conducted to ensure that the work is progressing as planned, and any necessary adaptations will be agreed upon in a timely manner.
• The purpose of this consultancy assignment is to coordinate and provide technical support to ongoing and upcoming partnerships within the Research and Learning Department.
• S/he will provide relevant technical expertise, coordinate, and work closely with the Research and Learning team and partners for effective implementation and completion of all research and learning-related activities.

The consultant will collaborate with the Research and Learning team as well as others across the Foundation and external partners to accomplish some of the tasks outlined below:

• Support the coordination and completion of ongoing research and learning activities.
• Support the development of concept notes and terms of references for upcoming research and learning partnerships.
• Support the review of concept notes, reports, policy briefs and other knowledge products submitted by partners for internal and external use.
• Provide technical support to the Research and Learning team and partners in reviewing the research and technical design of ongoing and upcoming research and learning-related activities.
• Review the methodology, research tools, and sampling strategies of partnerships to ensure they consistently align with set objectives.
• Provide technical support and assessment of the quality and alignment of all other products designed/submitted by partners.
• Assist in producing state-of-the-art knowledge products to engage and meet the needs of various audience groups and help to coordinate and implement online and in-person learning engagements.

Ways You Can Contribute

• Support the development and review of Terms of References including conducting light evidence reviews (programmatic reports, academic and ‘grey’ literature) for country/Pan-African program commissioned research.
• Support the development and review of proposals for country/Pan-African program research partnerships.
• Support the review of methodology, research tools and sampling frameworks of country/Pan-African commissioned research.
• Support review of draft and final report of country/Pan-African programs commissioned research.
• Support the synthesizing of research reports for individual partnerships and across partnerships for innovative evidence-sharing engagements with Country/Pan-African.
• program teams suitable for cognitive retention in a time scarce and fast-moving work environment.
• Support review of technical and financial proposals submitted for country/Pan-African commissioned research.

Who You Are

• A Ph.D / Master’s / MBA in Global Development, the Social Sciences, Education, public policy, and /or another related field is an asset.
• Experience working in a dynamic, fast-paced environments and ability to be flexible and responsive to changing needs.
• Experience in undertaking research/consultancy work in the fields of education, the social sciences and humanities, development and/or public policy within non-profit organizations, international NGO’s and/or learning institutions.
• Expertise in researching development, political, economic, cultural, and social issues across Africa.
• Understanding of research methodologies and approaches, especially in socio-economic transformations/growth and development policy.
• Experience in effectively engaging with technical experts and institutions to build communities of practice.
• Ability to plan for and prioritize multiple enterprise-wide initiatives with varying timelines.
• Strong research skills with the ability to translate findings to technical and non-technical teams.
• Experience in undertaking research and development work among indigenous communities.
• Young people with research experience and requisite qualifications will be given preference.
• Ability to work in multiple languages, especially English and French will be considered an asset.
• Flexible, adaptable, and able to execute a range of job duties and changing priorities.
• Possess excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills with the ability to articulate information to a variety of constituents across cultures.
• Possess professional maturity, sensitivity with different cultures, and impeccable integrity that exemplify the Foundation’s values.
• Demonstrate a commitment to Mastercard Foundation’s values and vision.

Application Closing Date
15th February, 2024.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online