Lead, Program Planning and Monitoring at MasterCard

 THE OPPORTUNITY 

Reporting to the Country Director, the Lead, Program Planning and Monitoring will guide the Country program team by translating the strategic agenda into actionable annual and thematic plans, implementing the Foundation’s investment tracking systems and monitoring framework, and overseeing progress on key indicators.

WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE 

• Leads and manages country strategy development, including diagnostics, ecosystem mapping, foresight studies, and macro analysis to inform strategic plans.
• Coordinates program and portfolio planning, incorporating an integrated end-to-end programming process and partnering approaches.
• Supports project design by defining strategic approaches, root cause analyses, target setting, and theories of change for adaptable implementation.
• Develops and strengthens partner-level MEL systems by assessing existing frameworks, aligning theories of change, and determining data needs for reporting, feedback, and learning.
• Coordinates the operationalization of Foundation-wide monitoring standards, guidelines, and tools to track investments and impact in-country.
• Leads monitoring of KPIs and facilitates the development of additional indicators to enhance program effectiveness and scalability.
• Manages and analyzes partner monitoring data to support decision-making, program quality assurance, and strategic prioritization.
• Advises the country program and in-country impact teams on monitoring issues and ensures quality assurance of priority programs.
• Builds relationships with stakeholders to provide relevant MEL guidance tailored to their needs.
• Supports capacity assessments and MEL capability development for program teams and partners, fostering peer-to-peer learning.
• Develops and implements learning mechanisms to capture and share best practices in program monitoring and partner insights.
• Participates in cross-functional initiatives, including site visits, to integrate monitoring perspectives into program development.
• Provides oversight of the Program Planning and Monitoring team, including performance management and staff development.
• Represents Program Planning and Monitoring internally within the Foundation and externally at forums and specialized events.

WHO YOU ARE

• Master’s degree in Development Studies, Social Sciences, Economics, Statistics, or a related field. Postgraduate training or equivalent experience in research methods, particularly in gathering data and insights from indigenous communities, youth, and vulnerable groups using culturally appropriate approaches.
• 10+ years of experience in the private and non-profit sectors, leading and coordinating planning, monitoring & evaluation (M&E), and reporting systems.
• Proven ability to design and implement results-based management systems for complex programs in collaboration with international and local stakeholders, including government ministries, NGOs, and donors.
• Experience ensuring M&E systems are helpful and actively utilized by local stakeholders.
• Strong expertise in developing and managing strategic and operational plans to track the implementation of roadmaps, partnerships, and deliverables.
• Extensive experience developing, updating, and delivering training on M&E systems.
• Incorporation of new methodologies and technology-enabled tools for data collection, analysis, reporting, and communication.
• Skilled in setting up computerized management information systems (MIS) and conducting data quality assessments for mixed-method research.
• Deep knowledge of participatory approaches, beneficiary feedback loops, and gender-inclusive and youth-focused strategies.
• Senior management experience, preferably leading a country or major initiative.
• Experience working and/or living in local communities, with strong cultural awareness, language skills, and affiliations with national networks and authorities.
• Demonstrated ability to engage stakeholders and influence policy, including work with community-based organizations, governance councils, regional and national governments, and the private sector.
• Expertise in systems thinking, developing theories of change, and creating measurable outcomes and impact assessment tools for government and non-governmental institutions.
• Experience with research protocols, review processes, and managing large datasets with government and academic institutions.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (verbal, written, and presentation), with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders across cultures.
• Professional maturity, cultural sensitivity, and integrity in all interactions.
• Demonstrate a commitment to Mastercard Foundation’s values and vision.