Senior Consultant, Implementation Deployment (Pan Africa Programs) at MasterCard

THE OPPORTUNITY 

Reporting to the Head, Implementation Deployment, Strategy & Execution, the Consultant will support the Implementation Deployment team’s core mission to ensure rigorous program execution. This includes maximizing program impact through agile resource deployment, bespoke project management, effective work planning, strategic partner engagement, dynamic problem-solving, complex stakeholder management, and adaptability to the ever-changing implementation landscape.

WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE

• Support the rigorous execution of programs by leveraging facilitation, problem-solving, structuring, framing, and process management to address complex operational challenges through thoughtful engagement with partners and internal leadership.
• Own and drive specific workstreams to maximize the impact of implementing programs, supporting effective execution against timelines and critical milestones with robust management of dependencies, stakeholders, and timely problem-solving.
• Participate fully in efforts to translate solutions into well-scoped, concrete workplans, milestones, KPIs, or other tools to drive and track progress while managing dependencies.
• Perform as part of an integrated team to ensure alignment of implementation, programmatic objectives, and Foundation goals.
• Support and participate in strategic problem-solving to address implementation challenges and derive the fullest impact possible.
• Continuously identify and prioritize major issues or obstacles to effective program implementation for timely problem-solving.
• Support team engagement with partners as required by team leaders to drive execution discipline while maintaining a positive partner experience.
• Support strengthening of partner teams' capabilities, especially at kickoff, to independently and efficiently execute the program.
• Maintain strong ownership of work and deliverables to enforce the highest-level execution standards for self and team collectively, fostering continuous improvement.
• Understand, internalize, and support core team strategy to maximize the effectiveness of the Implementation Deployment group as part of PANA’s Strategy & Execution apparatus.
• Engage broader team as necessary to deliver on assigned workstreams while maintaining alignment of objectives, timelines, milestones, and critical deliverables, with a focus on problem-solving and effective team dynamics.
• Create and maintain a centralized repository of key learnings and best practices to optimize future program delivery.

WHO YOU ARE

• Over 12 years of robust experience in supporting and driving the implementation of large-scale programs at both the continental and global levels.
• Experience collaborating effectively in teams and as an individual contributor to drive complex deliverables, support strategic problem-solving, and navigate intricate planning processes with many dependencies.
• Strong instincts for navigating complex problems, ambiguity, and sensitive stakeholder dynamics (both internal and external).
• Proven ability to engage multiple workstreams and rigorously deliver against shifting timeframes, maintaining control and ownership of assigned responsibilities.
• Thrives in “start-up” environments with constant evolution and growth.
• Solid fundamentals in project management principles and a seasoned “project management mindset.”
• Comfortable operating across cultures, nationalities, time zones, and geographies.
• Skilled in facilitation with diverse stakeholders to drive alignment across competing interests.
• Strong problem-structuring and problem-solving skills to break down complex issues, rapidly develop hypotheses, and execute structured approaches.
• Proven expertise in developing and accessing robust, detailed work plans.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and comfort with project planning tools (e.g., Asana, MS Project).
• Proactive process manager with a strong eye for detail and an ownership mentality.
• Pragmatic problem-solver (80/20) with the ability to prototype approaches for various problem types (e.g., financial vs. operational).
• Demonstrate a commitment to Mastercard Foundation’s values and vision.