Head, Technical and Vocational Skills Development (TVSD) Initiatives at MasterCard Foundation

THE OPPORTUNITY

Reporting to the Director, Secondary Education, the Head, Technical and Vocational Skills Development (TVSD) Initiatives will oversee developing and effectively managing country, multi-country, and Pan-African Technical and Vocational Skills Development initiatives. 

WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE

• Collaborate with the heads of Secondary Education units (Girls' Education, Access, and Success) as part of the Secondary Education Leadership team to shape and evolve program strategy.
• Oversee the design and implementation of Technical and Vocational Skills Development (TVSD) programs across the continent, ensuring high-quality delivery and progress tracking.
• Set portfolio goals and work with the Impact Team to monitor and achieve program objectives.
• Coordinate with Mastercard Foundation Country Program teams on local Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and skills development initiatives.
• Oversee learning organizations providing technical support on Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) at the continental level.
• Develop and manage consultancies.
• Share learning and collaborate with counterparts across the Education and Transitions team.
• Provide guidance and technical assistance to the Secondary Education team on TVSD.
• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration in program partnerships with a focus on impact.
• Promote thought leadership on secondary-level TVSD in partnership with Program Communications and Policy teams.
• Ensure data and learning are captured, reported, and integrated into program design and implementation.
• Build relationships with ecosystem actors and education stakeholders, representing the Foundation at workshops, conferences, and education forums.
• Track team operations expenses and support budget forecasting with Program Finance teams.
• Facilitate exchange and learning across the TVSD partner network, including organizing convenings and virtual meetings.
• Recruit talent, lead colleagues effectively, and ensure alignment with Foundation values while fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment.

WHO YOU ARE

• A master’s degree in education, economic development, or a related social sciences field is required, along with relevant professional qualifications in program management (an added advantage).
• Membership in relevant professional bodies and networks is advantageous.
• Minimum of twelve (12) years of experience, including at least five (5) years in a supervisory role, with a proven track record of building and managing high-performing teams in fast-paced, multi-cultural environments.
• Strong experience in education, particularly in technical and vocational skills development, secondary and/or higher education, and managing portfolios across multiple countries.
• Extensive experience engaging with senior leadership in development partners, education organizations, high-level government representatives, and the private sector.
• Excellent leadership and supervisory skills, especially in managing multi-location and virtual teams.
• Experience working across cultures and geographies, with a requirement of living and working in Africa.
• Strong communication and analytical skills, with the ability to articulate information across diverse cultures and think strategically to contribute to the Foundation’s development.
• Proficiency in English is required; French is a significant asset.
• Deep knowledge of key issues, trends, and challenges in skills development in Africa.
• Willingness and ability to travel.
• Demonstrate commitment to the Mastercard Foundation values. 

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THE OPPORTUNITY 

Reporting to the Head of Health Initiatives, the Lead, Health Innovation and Entrepreneurship will contribute to the continuing design and implementation of Health as an economic sector and strategic planning and execution to advance the Foundation’s programmatic priorities in health entrepreneurship.

WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE

• Lead the design and execution of evidence-based interventions and partnerships that that will advance Health Entrepreneurship to enable young people (particularly young women) to find dignified and fulfilling work.
• Ensure alignment of programs in Health Entrepreneurship with roadmaps and strategies across the Foundation and global and national priorities.
• Work with platform and country teams to ensure connectedness, complementarity and synergy.
• Work with external agencies at global and continental level, local partners, academia and where appropriate the private sector, to identify scalable opportunities, leverage expertise and enhance thought leadership.
• Develop the Health Innovation and Entrepreneurship implementation framework leveraging the experience we gained from the Foundation’s multiple programs in in Africa and Canada.
• Seek opportunities to link, integrate, and leverage existing and upcoming programs across countries and thematic teams such as access to finance and digital technology.
• Contribute to building the Health Workforce Initiatives Team by fleshing out the Health Innovation and Entrepreneurship pillar of the roadmap.
• Work with colleagues in the health initiatives in strategy design, program/partnership development, implementation and learning by connecting the dots and ensuring synergy as one integrated team.
• Serve as a point of contact for Health Innovation and Entrepreneurship internally and externally and represent the Foundation where appropriate.
• Work with colleagues in impact to build monitoring framework to assess impact, synthesize learning, and improve program design and implementation.
• Serve as a thought partner to colleagues in other platform and country programs.
• Work with program finance to develop and manage the budgets and ensure spending adjustments or budget modifications as necessary.
• Create space to listen to young people, partners and stakeholders to scope new ideas, seek counsel, and support programming efforts.
• Champion integrated program design, implementation and learning by developing and maintaining productive work relationships and collaboration with various functions of the Foundation including finance, communication, impact, enterprise risk management, and legal.
• Establish and strengthen relationships with other stakeholders and agencies relevant to the health strategy pillar.
• Facilitate integration, collaboration and convening relevant actors to drive impact at scale.
• Effectively lead colleagues, ensuring high quality of work, safeguarding and alignment with Foundation values.
• Drive oneness building a supportive and collaborative work environment.
• Oversee performance management of direct and indirect reports.

WHO YOU ARE

• MBA or Master’s in entrepreneurship, global development, education, public policy or another related field.
• Fifteen (15) years of experience at a senior level in global organizations with strong leadership experience in innovation, entrepreneurship/enterprise development, development and/or government or public policy within the private sector and/or non-profit organizations is required.
• Six (6) years of exceptional leadership experience, building and leading entrepreneurship and innovation interventions/programs.
• Demonstrated financial management experience including preparation and management of budgets, contracts, etc. Senior level experience in Africa and with exposure to international issues ideally is crucial. Private sector experience would be an asset.
• Advanced expertise in developing and leading innovation and entrepreneurship efforts in Africa.
• Proven experience effectively working with government officials, key players in the health space, business leaders, entrepreneurs and other actors.
• Solution based approach while demonstrating innovation, integrity, quality, creativity, flexibility and resilience.
• Fluency in English. French is an added advantage.
• Excellent strategic insight and ability to translate plans to action to deliver impact with quality and speed.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to express facts and ideas in a clear, convincing and organized manner.
• Demonstrates mature and sound judgement when addressing highly complex needs
• Innovative and entrepreneurial and who is able to formulate and develop new or creative approaches to problems and inspires others on the team to do so as well.
• 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.
• Commitment to Mastercard Foundation’s values and vision