Director, Strategy and Programming at MasterCard

The Director, Strategy and Programming leads the design and implementation of a fit-for-purpose program delivery structures, processes, and supporting infrastructure for the effective and efficient delivery of Higher Education, Collaboratives & Strategic Initiatives programming. The role holder is the primary point of contact for business partnering with all enterprise level program operations and planning functions (e.g., finance, legal, PoP etc.) with responsibilities for all aspects of operational planning, tracking, and management for the Higher Education, Collaboratives & Strategic Initiatives platform.

Programmatic Work

• Designing, harmonizing, and codifying Higher Education, Collaboratives & Strategic Initiatives approach, standards, tools, processes across program design, implementation, and tracking. 
• Develop grounding documentation on Higher Education, Collaboratives & Strategic Initiatives Delivery methodologies for developing and reviewing sector strategies, programs, and partnerships.
• Instituting a “continuous improvement” culture and appropriate processes to capture, codify, and promulgate best practices, while making structural adjustments and engaging other enabling functions as needed.
• Comprehensive and strategic project management support, including upfront thought-partnership on programmatic structuring for effective operationalization and rapid mobilization.
• Coordination of cross-functional business partnering team for seamless and rapid execution of on-going business processes that require close cooperation between finance, legal, compliance, risk, Program Operations & planning, and comms functions across countries.
• Close collaboration with impact teams in embedding of the impact measurement framework and processes, including tools, systems, training for country program teams, baseline work, and monitoring the adequacy of resourcing.
• Effective technology integration:
  • Fluxx configuration and revisions (on-going engagement to inform each release cycle) aligned to Higher Education, Collaboratives & Strategic Initiatives needs.
  • Ensuring appropriate data management, data architecture, storage, and structuring
• Operational Planning coherence: maintaining a dynamic and comprehensive view of Higher Education, Collaboratives & Strategic Initiatives operational and execution elements, integrating with enabling functions, enterprise-level planning, maintaining a team calendar.
• Champion cross-platform engagement with PANA, Country Programs, Higher Education, Collaboratives ad Strategic Initiatives teams on opportunities for collaboration, scaling, ways of work, processes, guidelines, routines etc.
• Programmatic Planning: support enhanced portfolio planning with stronger alignment to outcomes and key drivers of impact.
• Contribute to the shaping of Higher Education, Collaboratives & Strategic Initiatives approach for partnering with Policy and Thought Leadership and PAC on thematic areas that are critical to youth in work, priority collaboration areas and how we ‘show up’ at external events, government relations etc.
• Drive a continued mainstreaming and embedding of cross cutting themes (gender, inclusion, youth engagement, safeguarding) in programs to align to the Foundation’s overall aspirations.

Non-Programmatic Work

Strategic Leadership

• Conduct self and lead the team in a manner coherent with the Leadership Signature of the Foundation.
• Adjust resources, roles, job structures, accountabilities, processes, systems, etc. to ensure organizational alignment.
• Oversee all the financial accountabilities for Higher Education, Collaboratives & Strategic Initiatives including program proposal approvals to board level; opex budgeting and management etc.

Knowledge and Expertise

• Develop the Foundation’s knowledge and expertise in Higher Education, Collaboratives & Strategic Initiatives work.
• Develop and share Foundation-wide Higher Education, Collaboratives & Strategic Initiatives frameworks, tools, and best practices.

 Policy and Thought Leadership

• Support the shaping of policy and participate in influencing decision makers across the ecosystem, drawing on our expertise and insights, with a particular focus on strategic priorities and target groups as necessary.
• Contribute relevant Higher Education, Collaboratives & Strategic Initiatives perspectives to the Foundation’s thought leadership priorities (e.g., gender, climate, education, etc.).
• Disseminate learnings from the Higher Education, Collaboratives & Strategic Initiatives programs.

People Leadership

• Maintain high levels of engagement amongst team driving oneness and deepening the culture of the Foundation and growing team members.
• Embedding and clarifying the Foundation’s performance management system, rewards, capacity and career management.
• Foster an inclusive work environment that values diversity and promotes equal opportunities.
• Create strategic insights for action

Academic, Professional Qualification and Experience

• BSc. / Master’s/MBA or PhD in a relevant field such as international development, education, public policy or another related field.
• At least Fifteen (15) years’ experience in the private/ development sector, passionate about education and Africa who has demonstrated experience in building a new initiative or transformed an existing initiative into something even more impactful.
• Extensive leadership experience in managing complex programs or initiatives, preferably in the field of education or youth development.
• Proven ability to think in a strategic, transformative way, able to conceptualize initiatives/processes that will drive large scale change.
• Proven experience effectively engaging with technical experts to build communities of practice.
• Possess excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills with the ability to articulate information to a variety of constituents across cultures.
• Innovative and entrepreneurial individual who can develop new or creative approaches to problems while inspiring others on the team.
• Drive to continually experiment and innovate, building and leveraging best-in-class expertise and learnings.
• Commitment to the value of co-creation, employing deep listening and authentically inclusive approach.
• Demonstrated success in building and managing high performing teams.
• Proven track record of building and managing strategic partnerships.
• Strong understanding of higher education systems, particularly in Africa.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• French language and/or local language skills are an asset.

Technical Competencies

• Expertise working with development, political and social issues across Africa.
• Demonstrated financial management experience including preparation and management of budgets and contracts.
• Skilled communicator and influencer, from executive through to technical levels and external constituencies, know how to navigate ambiguous environments and are comfortable at managing up and beyond hierarchy.  
• Ability to build and engage teams. Effectively develop, lead, and provide strategic direction to a diverse team of leaders across multiple countries. Commitment to equality, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Results Orientation, innovative and entrepreneurial Exceptional organizational and project management abilities.
• Fosters a positive spirit of collaboration in a complex environment.