Lead, Pandemic Sciences at MasterCard

THE OPPORTUNITY

Reporting to the Director, Higher Education, Health Collaboratives, the Lead, Pandemic Sciences will be responsible for engaging partners and youth to drive the successful implementation of the Foundation's Health Collaboratives namely the Pandemic Sciences Collaborative as well the Public Health and Primary Health Care Collaborative. The role builds and stewards high-quality partnerships that advance youth-centred health programming across Africa.

WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE

Partnership design and delivery

• Contribute to the design and implementation of the Higher Education Pandemic Sciences Collaborative.
• Co-create proposals with prospective partners across the respective collaboratives.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the Foundation teams to strengthen new and existing partnerships.
• Advise and accompany partners on implementation, progress tracking, and learning, ensuring high-quality delivery across the partnership portfolio.
• Support the planning and execution of governance structures within the collaboratives.

Convening, learning and reporting

• Organize monthly or quarterly partner meetings to ensure excellence in implementation.
• Plan and deliver face-to-face convenings and virtual meetings.
• Capture data and learnings, ensuring insights and impact are routinely and effectively reported and integrated into program adaptations.
• Analyze and synthesize partner feedback to inform broader program development and drive continuous improvement.
• Support connections, exchange, and learning across the regional portfolio.

Stakeholder management and safeguarding

• Cultivate and manage relationships with stakeholders to scale impact.
• Support partners in safeguarding the wellbeing of all program participants.

Health Workforce Initiatives

• Support translation of the Foundation’s Health Workforce Initiatives strategy into operational plans and program delivery across countries.
• Lead day-to-day implementation of Health Workforce portfolios, ensuring program quality, timelines, and measurable outcomes.
• Provide technical expertise on Health Workforce Initiatives models, supervision systems, and workforce retention.
• Coordinate implementing partners to strengthen operational efficiency and service integration.

WHO YOU ARE

Academic & Professional Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Health related field, public policy, international development, social sciences or related field from a recognized university.
• Masters degree in a Health related field is an asset.
• Relevant professional qualification.

Experience 

• Minimum of ten (10) years’ relevant experience in a similar settings.
• Experience in engaging with faculty/staff in higher education institutions, civil society organizations, government, private sector etc., as well as young people.  
• Managing multiple projects and delivering results in a fast-paced and fluid environment.  
• Experience in designing and delivering health, science and/or leadership development programs for young people, in Africa.  
• Experience with global grant making.
• Experience working across cultures and geographies, living and working in Africa is highly desirable  

Competencies

• Fluent in English and relevant local languages.
• Knowledge of health education and youth employment issues in Africa.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with inclusion and marginalized youth.
• Strong interpersonal and partnership-building skills, with excellent communication and presentation abilities.
• Team player with high emotional intelligence.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a service orientation aligned with Foundation values.
• Results-driven, with a sense of urgency and ability to manage multiple priorities in fast-paced environments.
• Ability to balance execution with longer-term planning.
• Commitment to youth empowerment and inclusion, and to innovation, co-creation, humility, and learning.